Garlic is a spice known as “Rasona” in Ayurveda. It is a popular ingredient in cooking due to its strong smell and medicinal properties. It is rich in sulphur compounds that attribute to its various health benefits.
Garlic helps to manage weight by improving the metabolism of the body. It is good for heart health as it maintains a balance between good cholesterol and bad cholesterol levels due to its lipid lowering property. It prevents plaque formation and helps to widen the blood vessels thereby managing blood pressure due to its antioxidant property.
Garlic also helps to boost immunity and increases the ability of the body to fight against various infections. It manages cold and cough symptoms by increasing the release of mucus from the respiratory tract. It improves bone health which might be due to its high calcium content. Garlic might also help improve memory issues by preventing brain cell damage caused by free radicals due to its antioxidant property. It also helps to improve athletic performance by increasing oxygen flow to tissues and muscles.
According to Ayurveda, taking Garlic paste along with milk helps to improve sexual health due to its Vajikarana (aphrodisiac) property. Drinking Garlic juice, preferably on an empty stomach in the morning, helps in weight loss. Swallowing a raw Garlic clove in the morning is an age old remedy for managing cholesterol levels.
Garlic helps to manage skin disorders like infections and acne due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties. Garlic oil can be applied to the skin for managing ringworm, warts as well as parasites. Applying hair pack made from Garlic paste and honey promotes hair growth and removes excessive dryness due to its Snigdha (oily) property.
It should be noted that eating raw Garlic causes bad breath. So it is advisable to brush your teeth or eat some mint to get rid of the bad breath after consuming raw Garlic[2][3].

What are the synonyms of Garlic?

Allium sativum, Rasona, Yavanesta, Maharu, Lasun, Lasan, Lassun, Lahasun, Bulluci, Vellulli, Nelluthulli, Vellaipoondu, Vellulli, Tellapya, Tellagadda, Lahsan, Seer[1]

What is the source of Garlic?

Plant Based

Benefits of Garlic

What are the benefits of Garlic for Ringworm?

Ayurvedic View

Ringworm or Dadru with itching and burning sensation is due to an imbalance of Kapha and Pitta dosha. Garlic helps to control fungal infections and itching associated with ringworm. This is due to its Kushtghna (useful in skin disease) and Kapha pacifying properties.
Tip:
1. Take ½-1 teaspoon Garlic juice.
2. Add coconut oil to it.
3. Apply to the affected area.
4. Repeat once or twice a day to control ringworm.

What are the benefits of Garlic for Helicobacter pylori (H.Pylori) infection?

Modern Science View

Ulcers caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

What are the benefits of Garlic for Hair loss?

Modern Science View

Applying Garlic juice helps in the management of hair loss (alopecia areata)[4][8].

Ayurvedic View

Garlic helps to control hair fall and promote hair growth when applied on the scalp. This is because hair fall is mainly due to an aggravated Vata dosha in the body. Garlic acts on hair fall by balancing Vata dosha. It also promotes hair growth and removes excessive dryness due to its Snigdha (oily) property.
Tip:
1. Take 1/2 -1 teaspoon Garlic paste.
2. Mix with honey in a bowl.
3. Apply this paste on your hair and scalp.
4. Leave it for about 30 minutes or more.
5. Rinse well using a shampoo.

What are the benefits of Garlic for Corns?

Modern Science View

Applying Garlic extract might be beneficial in managing corns. Garlic extract has fibrinolytic activity. It helps to break the fibrin tissue around the corn and detaches it from the main tissue[4][8].

What are the benefits of Garlic for Warts?

Modern Science View

Applying Garlic might be beneficial in managing warts. Garlic prevents the multiplication of infected cells and prevents the recurrence of warts[4][8].

Ayurvedic View

Warts are called Charmakeela in Ayurveda. Charma means skin and Keela refers to growth or eruption. Warts are due to vitiation of Vata along with Kapha. This causes the development of hard nail structures called Charmakeela (warts). Garlic helps to control warts when applied on the affected area due to its Vata and Kapha balancing properties.
Tip
1. Peel one clove of Garlic and cut it into half.
2. Use the cut side of one portion of Garlic and gently rub on the wart.
3. Do this for 1-2 minute then use athletic tape to seal the remaining fresh Garlic on the wart.
4. Do this at night and remove the tape the next morning.

How effective is Garlic?

Likely effective

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis), Ringworm

Likely ineffective

Helicobacter pylori (H.Pylori) infection

Insufficient evidence

Corns, Fungal infections of mouth (Thrush), Fungal infections of vagina, Hair loss, Liver disease, Mouth ulcers, Warts

Precautions when using Garlic

Allergy

Ayurvedic View

Garlic paste or oil should be used with rose water or coconut oil if someone has hypersensitive skin because Garlic has Tikshna (strong) and Ushna (hot) properties.

Side Effects

Modern Science View

Severe skin irritation[4].

Recommended Dosage of Garlic

Garlic Oil - 2-5 drops or as per your requirement.

How to use Garlic

1. Raw Garlic
a. Take 1-2 raw Garlic cloves.
b. Crush them in a pestle and mortar to form a paste.
c. Add rose water to it.
d. Apply on the affected area.
e. Let it sit for 2-3 hours.
f. Wash thoroughly with tap water.
g. Use this remedy 2-3 times a day to get rid of boils and ulcers.

2. Garlic Oil
a. Take 2-5 drops of Garlic oil.
b. Add coconut oil to it.
c. Massage evenly on the skin at bedtime.
d. Use this remedy 2-3 times a week to get bacterial and fungal infections.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What happens when you eat Garlic on an empty stomach?

Modern Science View

Eating Garlic on an empty stomach turns it into a potent antibiotic. It is considered best to eat it before breakfast as it protects the digestive system due to its antibacterial effect[5].

Q. Is it better to eat Garlic raw or cooked?

Modern Science View

Eating raw Garlic is best to get its maximum health benefits. This is because raw Garlic releases allicin, the principle constituent with health benefits.

Q. How can I eat Garlic without getting bad breath?

Modern Science View

1. Take raw Garlic with any oil like olive oil, sunflower oil etc.
2. Chew some mouth freshner like fresh mint, cardamom etc, fennel after eating raw Garlic.
3. Drink a small glass of milk, green tea or coffee

Q. How do I eat Garlic in the morning?

Modern Science View

The best way to take Garlic in the morning is to swallow 2-3 pods of Garlic with lukewarm water.

Q. Is roasted Garlic as healthy as raw Garlic?

Modern Science View

For maximum health benefits of Garlic it is generally advised to take it in raw form. This is because raw Garlic releases allicin, the principle constituent with health benefits.

Q. What is the benefit of Garlic with honey?

Modern Science View

1. Nourishes your skin
2. Cures common cold and allergies
3. Strengthens immunity
4. Antimicrobial effects
5. Lowers bad cholesterol
6. Detoxifies the body

Q. How can you make Garlic soup?

Modern Science View

Garlic soup can be made by the following recipe:
1. Take about ½ cup of Garlic cloves.
2. Peel and mince the Garlic cloves.
3. Heat butter in a pan.
4. Take ½ cup of chopped onion. Then, saute onion and garlic till they are tender and light brown on slow flame.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of plain flour to it and stir the contents for about 3-4 minutes.
6. Add vegetable/chicken stock to it and bring to boil.
7. Add salt and pepper as per taste.
8. Let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes.
9. Pour soup in a serving bowl and garnish with grated cheese.

Q. How to make Garlic powder?

Modern Science View

Garlic powder can be made at home by the following method:
1. Take 1 cup Garlic pods(or as per requirement).
2. Separate the cloves from the Garlic pods, peel and slice them.
3. Place the peeled and sliced Garlic cloves under the sun for 4-5 days until they are completely dry.
4. Grind dried Garlic in a mixer, food processor or coffee grinder.
5. Garlic powder is ready.
6. Store Garlic powder in an airtight container and avoid exposure to moisture.
7. If lumps are formed in it take a plastic sheet or clean thin cotton cloth and spread Garlic powder over it in a very thin layer and keep it under the sun until moisture evaporates and grind it once to break the lumps.
8. You can also use a preheated oven at 150 degrees to dry Garlic instead of sunlight.

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Disclaimer

The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.