1 Weird Flu Fighting Plant

One of the most powerful natural remedies capable of fighting a laundry list of ailments is the miraculous wonder of garlic.

The Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida concludes that “supplementation of the diet with aged garlic extract may enhance immune cell function and that this may be responsible, in part, for reduced severity of colds and flu.” (Clinical Nutrition 6/11)

This cold and flu season presents the best opportunity for shoring up your system with garlic compounds to hopefully fight or stave off illness.

Allicin and Friends

Allicin is one of the major active ingredients found in garlic. It is linked to reducing systemic oxidative stress through its anti-inflammatory capability.

Oxidative stress is described by the Department of Medicine, Middlesex Hospital, London as a “disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses.”

Other important components in garlic are B-vitamins, vitamin C, and the minerals calcium, copper, manganese, phosphorus and selenium.

A combination of these and other compounds in garlic work like a “boots on the ground” military operation snuffing out as many internal enemy interlopers in its path as it can.

Russian Penicillin

This is the nickname given to the natural healing powers of garlic by the Russian Red Army during World War II. It is an herb with a long line of medicinally historic ties.

Excerpts from the assessment, ‘Extracts from the history and medical properties of garlic’ published in Pharmacognosy Review (Vol 4, 2010) cite,

“The Ancient Israelis made use of garlic as a starvation stimulator, blood pressure enhancer, body heater [and] parasite-killer.”

“In 1858, Louis Pasteur wrote that garlic killed bacteria.”

“French phytotherapist Lecraec used garlic tincture in treatment of a patient with pulmonary gangrene. The patient recovered in 17 days.”

“Garlic prevents free radicals generation and supports body protective mechanisms that destroy free radicals.”

Conclusion: “From all of the above-mentioned data, it can be concluded that administration of garlic should not be avoided; on the contrary, its intake should be as much as possible since it underlies human health.”

The lists of the benefits of garlic can go on for some time. It proves that making garlic more prevalent in your everyday diet is an easy way to fight current illness or use it as a preventative.

Always check with your doctor before using garlic to make sure it does not contraindicate with your medical history or current drug therapy.

Garlic Preparation

Many people avoid garlic because of its pungent smell emitted through the breath and skin. For some, breaking down garlic can cause more of this reaction than others.

Therefore it is important to take garlic according to how your body processes it if you do not want to offend those around you. Fortunately odor-free garlic supplements are available.

For those that enjoy cooking with garlic, below are a few tips on how to incorporate it into your cuisine while benefiting from its healing properties.

• Slice, Chop, Mince or Press – It turns out that it’s actually important to break down garlic before you cook. This allows allicin to work at its most beneficial level.

• Wait 10 Minutes – It is estimated that waiting about 10 minutes after cutting garlic gives allicin the time it needs to optimally synthesize.

• Cook Minimally – Like most foods, the longer you cook them the more nutrients are killed off. Cooking garlic for 5-15 minutes is best for maintaining as many nutrients and enzymes as possible.

• Storage – Store garlic in a cool dry place. Never refrigerate.

• Peeling – The best way to peel garlic is to snap a clove off of the bulb and press under the flat side of a large knife. When you her it crack it is easy to peel away the skin.

Garlic-Ginger Tonic

Prepare this tonic and drink as a preventative or when the first signs of cold or flu appear.

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 small chunks ginger, grated

• 1 lemon, juiced

• 1 teaspoon honey

Stir ingredients into a cup of hot water and let steep for 5 minutes before drinking.

This cold and flu season add garlic to your world and keep it at the forefront from here on in. Don’t be surprised when everyone else around you is sniffling and you feel fine.