How Garlic Does More Than Ward Off Vampires
An old
saying goes that if you eat garlic, you are sure to keep away vampires
at night. But what is the origin of this saying and does it really have
any significance?
The
notion that garlic can kill off vampires and other creatures of the
night was a folk belief that was once common among Central European
communities. It was thought that garlic's overwhelming pungency would
ward off demons, were wolves and vampires, and traditionally
would be worn, hung in windows or rubbed around the entrance to the
house. Other cultures believed that garlic is a relic of Satan that
should be avoided at all costs. Although these superstitions may seem
outlandish, there happens to be a bit of useful truth in them.
Garlic
is the most powerful antibiotic cure nature has to offer. This simple
looking herb can be used to treat a number of heart and blood-related
conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and is even
used by some to prevent common cancers, like stomach, colon and even breast cancer. This is due to a chemical in the garlic called allicin, the same element that makes the garlic smell and probably the reason for the folk belief in vampires.
Studies
have shown that allicin can offer tremendous aid in weight loss and may
even help cure the common cold. Yet it is important to note that the
wonderful powers of garlic are optimized when the garlic is completely
raw, peeled and crushed, and when it is consumed only as medicine.
How to use garlic to fend off real-life vampires like the flu and other diseases:
1. Cold and Fever Cure
An
effective cold and fever cure is garlic tea. To make the tea, boil some
water and crush 1-2 cloves of fresh garlic (peeled) and place them at
the bottom of the mug. Then add hot water, lemon and a bit of honey (to
ease the taste) and drink it all down at once. Repeat a few times a day
until the fever or cold symptoms subside.
2. Treat Skin and Fungal Infections
To treat
skin or fungal infections, garlic can be used topically on a daily
basis. Apply a slice of garlic to a wart regularly (about 2-3 times per
day) and be amazed at the improvement. The wart or corn may not
completely disappear, but any discomfort will subside.
3. Garlic as an Antibiotic
As
mentioned above, in order to use garlic as an antibiotic, it is best to
consume the herb regularly. Studies have shown that eating raw garlic
at the onset of food poisoning can kill off the deadly E.coli, Staph and
Salmonella bacteria. Chop up garlic and drink it in a tea, this time
without lemon, and a bit of honey, and the poisoning is sure to
subside.
4. For Those That Can't Stand the Taste
If
you are not a big fan of garlic or its taste, there are some allicin
supplements that can be store-bought and taken as needed. It is
important to remember, however, that the potency of the allicin depends
on its preparation, and it can change into a different chemical quite
quickly. For this reason, it is best to buy the most natural version of
an allicin vitamin where it is available, or stomach the taste of raw
garlic only when you are sick.
5. Bug Repellent
Another
way to use garlic harks back to the vampire myth. Smearing garlic over
the skin not only prevents bacterial or fungal infections, but can also
ward off mosquitoes and ticks quite effectively. One village in India
uses only garlic to deter the deadly malaria mosquitoes and can attest
to the natural and harmless effectiveness of garlic. All that remains is
to overcome the sharp smell!
Garlic
in its many forms can be used to treat and prevent a variety of
diseases and conditions, and, just as the folklore suggests, is nature's
miracle solution for warding off the bad.
I use garlic in milk along with turmeric, it helps to reduce my cough and phlegm, almost every night I drink it, I simmer the content for 20-25 minutes, then drink it hot adding little sugar at night.