Garlic / Lashsoon
(Botanical Name - Allium Sativum)



Origin of Herbs:

Garlic has been highly valued for centuries all over the world for its health-building qualities. Garlic is believed to have originated in central Asia and was known to the Chinese as far back as 3,000 BC. It continues to be one of the staple spices of the Chinese diet still today. Egyptians, Greeks and Romans also used garlic as a staple food and a medicine for several ailments still today. It spread to all part of the world and now widely grown in the Mediterranean region, India, Philippines, China, Kenya, Brazil and Mexico. It grows well in the cool climates with dry weather.

Healing power and curative properties :   

In herbal Medicine, garlic has been traditionally used for asthma, deafness leprosy, bronchial congestion, arteriosclerosis that is hardening of arteries- fevers, worms and liver gall bladder trouble. Garlic is good for the heart, a food for the hair a stimulant to appetite, a strength-giving ,used in Leucoderma, leprosy, piles, worms, Catarrhal disorder, asthma and cough.

Clinical experiments:

In recent times have confirmed several ancient beliefs about the healing value of this herb. These experiments have in fact proven much greater power of garlic than known  previously. The unpleasant odour in garlic is due to its sulphur content. This mineral is content to a greater degree in its volatile oil, which has remarkable medicinal values.

Chest diseases:

Garlic has proved effective in certain diseases of the chest. It reduces foetidity or stinking of the breath in pulmonary gangrene. Garlic is also useful in the treatment of tuberculosis.

In Ayurveda a decoction of garlic boiled in milk is considered a wonderful drug for tuberculosis. One gram of garlic , 250ml of  milk and a liter of water are boiled together till it reduces to one fourth of the decoction. It should be taken thrice a day .Taken in sufficient quantities ,it is marvelous remedy for pneumonia.

Asthma:

Three cloves of garlic boiled in milk can be used every night with excellent results in asthma. A pod of garlic is peeled ,crushed and boiled in 120ml pure malt vinegar .It is strained after cooling and an equal quantity of honey is mixed and preserve in a clean bottle. One or two teaspoon of this syrup can be taken with fenugreek decoction in the evening and before retiring. This has been found effective in reducing the severity of asthmatic attacks.

Digestive disorders:

Garlic is one of the most important herbs for the digestive systems. , It stimulates peristaltis or movement of the intestines and the secretion of the digestive juices.  

High Blood Pressure:

Garlic is one of the most effective remedies for lowering blood pressure ,Pressure and tension are reduced because it has the power to ease the spasm of the small arteries. It also modifies the pulse and modifies the heart rhythm.

Rheumatism:

In Russia garlic is used extensively in the treatment of rheumatism and associated diseases .Even in Britain ,garlic is recommended for Rheumatic afflictions.

Heart attack:

Following a recent study a West German doctor claims that garlic may prevent heart attack. Garlic helps to break up cholesterol in the blood vessels, thereby preventing any hardening of arteries which leads to high blood pressure and heart attack If a patient takes garlic after a heart attack, the cholesterol level comes down .Though the earlier damage may not be repaired ,the chances of new attacks are reduced.

Blood Disorders:

The herb is regarded as a rejuvenator. It has been found to help remove toxins revitalise the blood, stimulate circulation and promote intestinal flora, or colony of bacteria that prevent infection by harmful bacteria.