GARLIC

Botanical name-  Allium sativum Linn.

Family – Liliaceae

Common names-

English-  Garlic

Hindi-Lehsun

Sanskrit- Rasone

Parts uses- Bulb

Distribution-

• Garlic is believed to originate from Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Western China).
• At present garlic is grown all over the world from the equator to latitudes of 50° in both hemispheres, but is most popular in China, the Mediterranean and Latin America.
• It is rarely found in hot and humid lowlands

Nutritional value-

A 100g serving of garlic provides:

• 98 calories
• 7.9g protein
• 0.6g fat
• 16.3g carbohydrates
• 5.5g fibre

Active components-

• The major active components of garlic are its Organosulphur compounds, such as Diallyl Thiosulfonate (Allicin), Diallyl Sulfide (DAS), Diallyl Disulfide (DADS), Diallyl Trisulfide (DATS), Ajoene, S-allyl-cysteine (SAC), and S-allyl-cysteine sulfoxide (Alliin)

Read Also: Benefits of Bhringraj

Uses-

Anti-Oxidant activity:

• Garlic and its active ingredients (such as Phenols & Saponins) have certain antioxidant properties
• Usually, raw garlic had a stronger antioxidant activity than cooked garlic, and the antioxidant activity of fermented garlic is stronger than that of crude garlic
• The antioxidant properties of garlic are due to the four main chemical compounds- Alliin, Allyl Cysteine, Allyl Disulfide & Allicin which neutralizes the free radicals in the body

Reduces Cholesterol levels-

• High levels of bad Cholesterol can have a negative effects on various organs of the body. Garlic helps to reduce the Total Cholesterol & Low-Density Lipoprotein
• Intake of garlic doesn’t help increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL, “Good” cholesterol) or lower levels of other blood fats called Triglycerides

Prevents Cardiovascular Disorders-

• Garlic has been shown to increase Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase protein levels and reduce Cardiac Hypertrophy
• Garlic extract had protective effects on heart rate variability, improved cardiac functions & inhibit platelet aggregation
• Kyolic aged garlic extract has demonstrated to be able to normalise blood thickness. The blood-thinning effect of garlic is well known, decreasing the risk of blood clotting and thrombosis
• Ajoene, a constituent of essential oil of garlic, has been shown to inhibit in vitro platelet aggregation in different species of animals i.e., cow, dog, guinea-pig, horse, monkey, pig, rabbit and rats

Reduces High Blood Pressure-

• Mediation of intracellular Nitric Oxide (NO) and Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) production as well as blockage of Angiotensin-II production, promotes vasodilation and thus reduces the BP
• Kyolic aged garlic extract has the potential to reverse the ageing of the arteries and therefore, arterial stiffness

Improves Immunity-

• Eating garlic boost the number of virus-fighting T-cells in bloodstream effective against viruses
• Garlic contains compounds that help the immune system fight germs
• Whole garlic contains a compound called Alliin, this compound have been shown to boost the disease-fighting response of some types of white blood cells in the body when they encounter viruses, such as the viruses that cause the common cold or flu

Respiratory System-

• Garlic is claimed to have numerous beneficial properties to the health of humans and animals. It is commonly used to treat respiratory diseases and infections
• The active ingredients present in this herb not only act against bacteria and fungi but also protects against various parasites, yeast and viral infections
• Allicin present in garlic possesses antioxidant properties that help in treating throat infections and reducing the severity of upper respiratory tract infections
• This medicinal herb also aids in decreasing tissue inflammation caused due to respiratory congestion it is one of the best natural expectorants.