Garlic is also known as Nectar of the Gods... find out why! Did you know that garlic is also known as Nectar of the Gods? It’s true! There’s so many benefits and applications to integrating garlic into our everyday lives. Keep reading to find out other common names that garlic falls under and the Top 10 Health Promoting applications where you can use it and a few secret tips from a holistic nutritionist to curb “garlic-breath”. Don’t say no to the garlic dip next time you’re offered some at a party. Go for it!  

Garlic is everywhere! Garlic is no medicinal newcomer. It has a long history of uses:

There are records of its use from 3000 BC where Sumerians and Assyrians used garlic to treat infections, fevers, diarrhea, sore joints and sprains. There are even Sanskrit records from India and the Egyptian Ebers Codes from 1550 BC that used garlic to heal many health concerns. There are historical records of ancient Chinese, Greek, Israelite and Roman healers who used garlic to heal many of the same ailments! With a track-history like that, it’s no wonder garlic is so popular in the home and kitchen.

The Many Names of Garlic

Garlic has developed many names through the ages. Here are a few other names it goes by:

  • Stinking Rose
  • Rustic Treacle
  • Poor Man’s Treacle
  • Allium Sativum
  • Camphor of the Poor
  • Maindenhair Tree
  • Nectar of the Gods (My personal fav!)

Top 10 Health Promoting applications for Garlic

Top 10 Health Promoting Applications for Garlic

1. Coronary Artery Disease, High Blood Pressure and Hypertension

Studies show that garlic fights coronary artery disease with a punch! First, the high antioxidant potency in alliin and the other sulfur-containing compounds’ help do major Zamboni work on artery-damaging free radicals that got there in the first place from deposited cholesterol. Secondly, allicin (this is what alliin converts to when exposed to air) acts like a boot-camp instructor keeping blood platelets from becoming sticky and thick and keeping everyone in line (no kidding!) so that blood can pass more easily through blocked arteries. Studies have also shown that garlic significantly lowers the pressure that blood travels through the arteries.

2. High Cholesterol

In addition to exercising more regularly, reaching for more veggies and ditching the cigarettes, garlic can be a great complement to helping lower cholesterol. Studies from America and Europe have shown that garlic lowers total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and helps to thin-out fat-thickened blood. In addition to keeping the vampires away, garlic helps keep extra unneeded fats and cholesterol out of the blood.

3. Cancer

Garlic has been used by many, including Hippocrates, as a cancer preventative and treatment since 4 BC. Current research shows that the compounds in garlic have anti-tumor properties and that people who eat at least one large clove of raw garlic per day also have significantly lower cancer rates than those that don’t consume garlic regularly.

4. Acute Bronchitis

Garlic has antiviral compounds in it that not only fist-fight viruses but also call on the army (aka your immune system). But before it calls on the army, it feeds them a big feast of healthy food that makes them stronger and leaves them stronger.

5. Cold and Flu

All fingers point to garlic for the classic cold remedy and every country knows it! The powerful antiviral compounds in garlic turn off, shut down and deactivate viruses before they cause problems and symptoms. And, as mentioned in #4, garlic feeds and calls on our bodies own army – a cold-fighting double whammy!

6. Diabetes

When used along with professional medical guidance and proper diet and lifestyle changes, garlic contains compounds that can increase insulin levels in the blood and lower blood sugar levels. Many individuals with diabetes are at risk of coronary artery disease, and garlic has shown to contribute to lowering the risk.

7. Intestinal Parasites

Think Americans don’t have parasites? Think again. Parasites can be found anywhere, just ask your holistic nutritionist. Garlic has a very long history of being used to combat, kick out and sweep out parasites.

8. Acne

Garlic has very strong antibacterial action that when used externally, kills pimple-causing bacteria on the skin and eliminate excess oil from the skin’s surface. For a recipe on how to make your own, talk with a medical herbalist or holistic nutritionist to see if it’s right for you and your skin-type. In the mean-time, enjoy garlic in your food.

9. Fungal Infections – Athlete’s Foot, Jock itch, Yeast Infections, Oral Thrush

Garlic has powerful fungal-fighting powers! Find ways to enjoy at least one clove of garlic per day.

10. Insect Bites and Stings

Garlic stimulates the immune system and therefore helps promote quicker healing. The wide array of sulfur-containing compounds in garlic increase infection-fighting immune cells to eat up invading bacteria.

What are the active ingredients in garlic that make it so gosh-darn amazing?

Garlic is super-saturated in sulfur-containing compounds. These include:

  • Ajoene
  • Alliin (This converts to allicin when garlic is crushed)
  • diallyl disulfide
  • diallyl trisulfide
  • and more!

It’s these sulfur-containing and volatile compounds that give garlic it’s publicity and medicinal properties. Garlic is also a great source of selenium, another potent antioxidant! So many reasons to fall in love with garlic!

Secret Tips to Curb Yucky “Garlic Breath”

There ARE ways to curb the strong scent of garlic on your breath, or even just bad breath in general. When I think of clean breath, I think of greens! And common GREEN things in your kitchen is EXACTLY where I’m going to point:

  1. Eat 1-2 Tbsp raw organic parsley (I say organic here so that you can reap the full benefit: purity – minerals and vitamins included)
  2. Munch on 2 tsp fennel seeds
  3. Chew 2-3 green cardamom seeds
Put it to the test! Chew, munch, swish in your mouth one of these greens after a garlic meal. It helps deliver green chlorophyll and delicious scents to your stomach so that the beautiful breath you exhale is nothing short of fabulous! You might even attract some kisses with that sexy-smelling breath!

Do you know of another name for garlic? Do you know the names of some of the other sulfur compounds in garlic? Impress us with your knowledge and let us know in the comment box below. Also, do you have a secret tip for getting rid of garlic breath? Share it! I know there’s many other AMAZING greens that help combat bad breath. Did you attract some kisses using one of the secret tips? How does garlic help you? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, comments and experiences with garlic.

Everyone can benefit from learning the age-old medicinal and “tricks-of-the-trade” that garlic boasts! Use the Facebook and Twitter links below to share garlic’s amazing attributes with your friends and let them know how they can keep their breath smelling sexy sweet.

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