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)
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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.