Top 10 Incredible Health Benefits of Garlic: A Natural Remedy for Your Wellness

हिन्दी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें।

Garlic (Lahsun)

Garlic (Lahsun) is a species belonging to the onion family (Alliaceae). Its scientific name is Allium sativum L. Its close relatives include onion, shallot, leek, chive, Welsh onion, and Chinese onion. Garlic has been used since ancient times for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It has a distinctive smell and a pungent taste, which becomes significantly milder when cooked. The most commonly used part of the garlic plant is the bulb, which can be divided into several fleshy cloves. These cloves are used as seeds, consumed either raw or cooked, and for medicinal purposes. The leaves, stem, and flowers of the plant are also edible, especially when immature and tender. The only inedible part is the papery protective layer (skin) that covers the various parts of the bulb and the roots attached to it. Garlic is used for throat and stomach ailments. The sulfur compounds present in it, such as allicin and ajoene, are responsible for its pungent taste and smell. Garlic is primarily produced in China, followed by India.

The Miraculous Benefits of Garlic (Lahsun)

Garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic, antifungal, and antibacterial. It has been used since ancient times in both culinary and medicinal forms. In culinary and medicinal applications, raw garlic leaves, stem, and flowers are used in their entirety. The sulfur content in garlic is responsible for its pungent taste and smell. Chemically, garlic contains a high amount of sulfur, along with proteins, enzymes, vitamin B, saponins, and flavonoids.

Garlic plays an important role in preventing heart diseases; it prevents the formation of blood clots and reduces cholesterol levels in the body. Additionally, garlic helps in thinning the blood, preventing clots from forming in the arteries.

Regular consumption of garlic can help maintain youthfulness as one ages. Raw garlic aids in curing throat and stomach ailments, killing intestinal worms, and promoting quick healing of body wounds. It is highly effective in preventing and treating tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia, colds, bronchitis, chronic coughs, lung congestion, and phlegm.

Garlic in Ancient Texts

In the ancient Indian Ayurvedic text “Charaka Samhita,” garlic is described as follows: In the ‘Sutrasthana’ section of “Charaka Samhita,” the properties of garlic are outlined. Garlic kills worms, cures leprosy (white leprosy), alleviates the effects of wind (vata), and removes gas and bloating from the stomach. It is unctuous, not dry. It is hot, increases virility, is pungent, and is somewhat heavy (meaning it takes longer to digest).

Chemical Composition of Garlic

Garlic contains:

Carbohydrates: 29.0%
Protein: 6.3%
Minerals: 1.0%
Phosphorus: 0.31%
Fat: 0.1%
Calcium: 0.3%
Iron (per 100 grams): 1.3%

Health Benefits of Garlic

Beneficial for Stomach Diseases: Garlic is beneficial for diarrhea, increasing appetite, treating stomach diseases, killing intestinal worms, healing body wounds, and removing toxins from the body, promoting a healthy and disease-free life. Chew raw garlic cloves well and swallow with water.

Relief for Toothache and Earache: For toothache, apply a crushed garlic clove to the painful area. For earache, heat a few garlic cloves in mustard oil or sesame oil until the garlic burns. Cool and strain the oil, then put a few drops in the ear for relief. Avoid this if there are wounds in the ear or teeth and consult a doctor if possible.

Enhances Sexual Capacity: Garlic has been used as an aphrodisiac herb since ancient times. The chemicals in garlic enhance sexual capacity and strength. Mixing crushed garlic with honey and consuming it at bedtime can boost sexual stamina and pleasure.

Relieves Back Pain: Garlic is very beneficial for back pain. Heat mustard oil with 2-3 garlic cloves, carom seeds, garlic, and a pinch of asafoetida until the garlic turns black. Cool and strain the oil, then massage the affected area. This helps relieve back and joint pain.

Beneficial for Throat Ailments: Garlic is very beneficial for throat infections and inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory properties help combat infections. For cough, mix five drops of garlic juice with a teaspoon of honey and take it twice a day to relieve cough and throat infections. Consuming a chutney made from 2-3 raw garlic cloves with vinegar twice a day can also reduce throat pain and swelling.

Helpful for Reducing Obesity

The chemicals present in garlic help in reducing obesity. Therefore, incorporating garlic into a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen can assist in reducing body fat.

Beneficial for Diabetic Patients

Diabetic patients often experience frequent urination, which decreases potassium levels in the body, posing health risks. Garlic is an excellent source of potassium, making its regular use beneficial for diabetic patients.

Beneficial for Psoriasis Patients

Psoriasis is a skin disorder characterized by red, scaly patches. It is not an infectious disease but a recurrent condition that can worsen over time. Regularly consuming raw garlic and mixing a teaspoon of garlic juice in a glass of water to wash the affected skin area daily can help. Additionally, lightly massaging the psoriasis-affected area with garlic oil can be beneficial. For severe cases, consulting a doctor is essential.

Properties Described in ‘Sushruta Samhita’

The ‘Sushruta Samhita’ describes garlic as follows: Garlic is described as smooth, warm, pungent, sharp, sticky, heavy, a laxative, sweet-tasting, strength-giving, enhancing virility, intelligence-boosting, voice-enhancing, complexion-brightening, and beneficial for eyesight. It is capable of mending broken bones, alleviating heart disease, reducing chronic fever, relieving body pain, reducing bloating and gas, stimulating appetite, alleviating cough, reducing swelling, curing hemorrhoids, leprosy, improving digestive fire, killing intestinal worms, and treating respiratory and phlegm-related diseases.

Precautions When Consuming Garlic (Lahsun)

Garlic is naturally warm, so start with a small amount.
Overconsumption may cause mouth, stomach, or chest burning, gas, vomiting, body odor, thirst, restlessness, and diarrhea.
Avoid garlic in hot weather or if you have a nosebleed condition.
Pregnant women and small children should not consume garlic.
Do not apply garlic paste to the face.
During menstruation, consuming too much garlic can increase blood flow.
Garlic can cause bad breath and burping.
It may lead to stomach and chest burning, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and digestive problems.

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