Garlic, as one of home, natural and herbal remedies, is widely used to treat infection, flu and cold.
Today garlic is one of the most popular healthy herbs around the world. It is also a widely recognized health enhancing supplement. People use garlic to treat infections: take capsules for recurrent vaginal yeast infections, use a garlic infusion to treat athlete’s foot, or add garlic to an oil to treat middle ear infections.
Garlic’s natural antibiotic is effective against toxic bacteria, viruses, and fungus. The active component in garlic is the sulfur compound called allicin. Allicin is quite powerful as an antibiotic and a potent agent that helps the body to inhibit the ability of germs to grow and reproduce. Allicin displays antifungal, and antiviral properties and is reportedly effective against many flu viruses and herpes simplex (the virus responsible for cold sores). Scientists said that 1 milligram of allicin has a potency of 15 standard units of penicillin. Garlic appears to have roughly 1 % the strength of penicillin against certain types of bacteria.
Not only its antibiotic, garlic is also directly effective against viruses. It is also anti-fungal and anti-parasitic as well among many other things. It’s important for colds AND flus. So garlic acts as a good cold medication, decongestant and expectorant. Many people have the experience of eating garlic during the winter season to help prevent cold, cough, or flu. Allicin powder was found to reduce the incidence of the common cold by over 50%.
The presence of all these antioxidants in garlic have a very positive effect on the immune system in general and can therefore protect the body against all types of bacterial and viral attacks. It is a surprisingly good source of vitamins C, B6 and the minerals selenium and manganese all of which have long been associated with immune system boosting as well as other benefits.
Today, garlic is sold in pills, capsules, or liquid in health dietary supplement stores.
Please note: There could be some side effects for some people who take garlic supplements, including headache, fatigue, bleeding, or dizziness. It is always best to speak with your physician or other health care provider before taking any medicine or even herbal remedies.
