GARLIC

Garlic, according to Ayurveda is considered to be a stimulant and a rejuvenator. The properties include being hot in action, slimy and heavy and provide a bitter aftertaste. Though Garlic is gifted by nature with the five prime tastes viz. sweet, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent; of which bitter taste is more prominent. It is carminative, a good diuretic and has a distinctive property of renewing the damaged body tissues.

The varied properties of Garlic reveals that it helps in digestion, it has a soothing action on the brain, good for the eyes, useful in the diseases of the throat, helps to remove parasites from the intestines, relieves any swelling and also helps in reunion of the broken bones. Also it contains a unique virtue to fight toxins and enhancing the general body resistance against a disease.

So be it Hypertension, Cough and Bronchitis, Joint Pains, Tuberculosis, Asthma, Dyspepsia or Indigestion or even simple wounds; a variety of disorders can be benefited by the regular intake of Garlic.

Some illustrations:

• Garlic juice mixed in some quantity of boiled and cooled water is a good disinfectant and a natural healer for ulcers and wounds.
• In Rheumatic pains, the juice extracted from the same when warmed and massaged on the joint provides relief from the pain as well as the swelling.
• One or Two Garlic bulbs when boiled in mustard oil is useful local application for ear problems.
• The juice extracted from fresh Garlic is used for regaining the lost eyesight.
• For some of the skin disorders especially gangrene and fungal infections, rubbing of the juice is helpful.
• The use of Garlic has been seen in heart ailments because of it’s property of being a natural stimulant. Therefore it would be of extreme use to swallow Two to Three fresh bulbs daily on an empty stomach. Those suffering from high blood pressure could derive similar benefit.
• Milk boiled with a few Garlic bulbs is useful for vigor and vitality.
• A number of Ayurvedic preparations e.g. Lasunaadi vatti and Gandhak vatti are prescribed generally in digestive disorders and is excellent for Dyspepsia, loss of hunger, hyperacidity, flatulence and constipation.
• A decoction prepared from boiling equal parts of Garlic and a herb called Vayavidanga, when ingested and also applied externally on the chest has shown considerable results in tuberculosis.
• Intake of Garlic can be regulated moderately during menses in the women suffering from scanty menses and to relieve pain during the menstrual flow.
• Garlic should be used with care in those with hot temperament because Garlic is by itself hot in action and thus could aggravate heat in the body system causing related diseases. Also rarely though, some people have shown intolerance to Garlic. They should avoid the same so as to remain away from any allergic disorders.

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Dr. Sonica krishan is Ayurveda and Natural Lifestyle Consultant, Freelance Health Writer and Books Author based at Chandigarh, India. She has authored natural home cure books ‘Herbal Healers’ and ‘Home Remedies’ and is presently writing for National and International publications. She may be contacted at drsonica@herboveda.co.in or visit www.herboveda.co.in