By Bette Denlinger
Old wives tales and superstitions often have been the basis of sound herbal and medicinal information in the modern world. Maybe those old vampire tales that suggested wearing strings of garlic around the neck to ward off the evil blood suckers weren't too far off track. But rather than wearing the noxious necklaces the Transylvanians should have eaten the plant instead! It is intriguing that garlic has been linked in folk legend with a blood dependent creature, as it is quite beneficial to the hematic and circulatory system, and fights infections in the bloodstream.
Garlic was noted as an antibiotic by Louis Pasteur during one of his experiments. Albert Schweitzer used garlic to treat cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. During the World Wars garlic was used to disinfect wounds, and even known as "Russian penicillin." Recent studies have shown it also acts as an antimicrobial with viruses, worms, and fungi.
The latest news is that garlic is effective in reducing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. It has been proven to be an anticoagulant. (Maybe why vampires avoid it ? Or do they just like high blood pressure?)
Garlic has even been proved toxic to some types of cancer cells.
Both onions and garlic are bulbs known for their ability to help prevent heart disease. These two bulb plants both contain an oil rich in sulfur called an allyl. This oil (allyl disulfide) inside the garlic and onion is good for acne in its topical form. Both have been proved to lower cholesterol, encourage production of those HDL's known as "good" cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and prevent blood clots.
Werbach states that the odoriferous garlic can help boost the immune system as well. It fights infection and has a generally good effect on digestion. Against Candida albicans (form of vaginitis in women of reproductive age) it has been shown to be more effective than nystatin, gentian violet and many others.
If you wish to prevent heart disease, keep your cholesterol levels in hand, and help your body fight off infections add garlic or onions to your recipes on a regular basis. When ever possible use culinary curatives in their natural form.
Garlic is generally nontoxic. However, for a few, it causes allergic contact dermatitis and irritation to the digestive tract. Eating 10 or more garlic cloves a day can trigger an allergic reaction and be toxic.
If you've experienced arteriosclerosis, heart attacks, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol levels a supplement may be in order. In general it may be used internally for infections of the respiratory and digestive tracts, and externally for ringworm, earache, and acne. These days we have odorless garlic supplements for those offended by the smell of garlic. Two to three cooked garlic cloves a day, or the same number of capsules in the aged, odorless form, are said by Mindell to be the most effective.
Those with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Allergy , Atherosclerosis , Cancer, Cardiac Arrhythmia, Diabetes Mellitus, or Immunodepression MAY benefit from this plant. Diabetics can certainly benefit from the circulatory enhancement properties of garlic, but new studies suggest it is valuable in reducing glucose levels.
For the astrologers: Astrological signals to add garlic as a supplement particularly include Sun or Jupiter in dynamic high tension aspects. Those with Neptune involved in complex aspects may benefit from garlic as an infection and fungi fighter.
With the onset of chemical pollutants to the air and earth in this past century, our bodies are overloaded with alien substances. Pharmaceutical use has become widespread. Chemical additives to packaged foods and pesticides on fresh foods is common. While antibiotics have provided wondrous cures, and numerous other drugs have saved lives, some side effects are worse than the disease. One often prescribed antibiotic can cause deafness. Blood pressure medications cause dire consequences to the system. Drug dependencies can be created. Advances in medicine have grown to such an extent that it is impossible for one practitioner to be cognizant of all the factors involving any one drug or keep up to date with latest studies. The overuse of prescription drugs has created resistant strains as well as an undermining of our natural defenses. Whenever we consume a foreign substance we also run the risk of creating an entirely new and different problem.
The trend towards holistic healing, herbal remedies, and taking charge of our own health instead of putting it blindly into the hands of others is a healthy trend.
It is suggested that you see a physician for illness and take the advice as given. But it is also suggested that you keep an open mind to herbs, and use them when you can instead of over the counter drugs. Educate yourself about important preventatives like garlic if you have a family history of a particular disease or serious astrological health signals in your chart. Read the inserts on prescription drugs carefully for contra-indications before consuming them. Don't be afraid to question treatments if you are uncomfortable with what you read. Get the facts so you can make an informed decision.
Sources:
Earl Mindell's Herb Bible by Earl Mindell
Copyrights Reserved by Bette Denlinger 1998. This article may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission from the author.Vampires Have High Blood Pressure?
What are the signs that garlic supplements should be used?
Why Use Herbs?
If there really were vampires, and we imported one via a time machine from the 18th century, it is likely that after feasting on a contemporary human, the poor thing would become quite ill from the fluoride, chlorine, or any of the myriad chemicals we ingest as a matter of course in this age and time.
Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible by Earl Mindell
Nutritional Influences on Illness : A Sourcebook of Clinical Research by Melvyn R. Werbach
Hundred and Eighty-One Nutritional Plans for Fifty Common Ailments by Melvyn Werbach
Nutritional Influences on Illness : A Sourcebook of Clinical Research by Melvyn R. Werbach
The New Holistic Herbal by David Hoffmann
and thanks to Jamie Longstreet for his assistance and website.