Garlic therapy in ancient times
Garlic has a long history of use. It is thought that in ancient Egypt garlic was fed to labourers building the pyramids to increase their strength and stamina. An Egyptian medical text called the Codex Ebers from about 1550 BC prescribes garlic for circulatory ailments, general malaise and infestations with insects and parasites.
In ancient Greece, garlic was given to athletes before they competed in the earliest Olympic Games. Hippocrates used garlic for conditions affecting the lungs and as a purgative agent.
Garlic was also used in ancient Rome, China and Japan for digestive and respiratory complaints. In the Charaka Samhita, an ancient text from India, garlic is recommended for the treatment of arthritis and heart disease.
Garlic today
Garlic is still used today to help with a number of conditions and has many different actions in the body. One of the main therapeutic areas that garlic is used for is heart health. Garlic may help to support healthy blood flow, normal blood pressure and decrease elevated levels of lipids in the blood.
Traditionally garlic has been used to help relieve symptoms of respiratory infections and urinary tract infections.
Garlic can help against a number of bacteria and fungi and has been used internally and externally to treat infections and prevent wound infection. Garlic was used to prevent gangrene and to treat infection in both world wars.
How it works
Garlic has a number of sulphur-containing compounds which are thought to give it its therapeutic properties. Of these compounds allicin, first identified in 1940’s, responsible for garlic’s characteristic smell. Allicin has been found to give garlic its anti-infective and lipid lowering actions.
Sulphur compounds in garlic also have antioxidant properties and may help to prevent against free radical damage. Garlic may also reduce inflammation.
References available on request