Garlic has been used in Indian culinary tradition for centuries simply to enhance the taste and aroma of pulses and vegetables. But in both Ayurveda and modern medical science, garlic is not considered just a spice but is considered an infallible natural medicine for many serious incurable diseases. In ancient Ayurvedic texts like Charak Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam, garlic has been described as 'Rason', which means having five of the six rasas.
According to modern medical science, when garlic is fried or cooked in oil, most of its medicinal active ingredients are destroyed due to heat. On the contrary, if only 2 cloves of raw garlic are consumed properly every morning on an empty stomach, it acts as a powerful natural antibiotic, antioxidant and blood purifier within the body. Let us know what miraculous effects eating 2 cloves of raw garlic regularly in the morning has on different parts of the body.
All the magical benefits of raw garlic are attributed to a special sulfur compound present in it. 'Allicin' Goes to.
Allicin is not directly present in the whole clove of garlic, rather the enzymes called 'Alliin' and 'Alliinase' remain enclosed in separate cells. When you chew or crush a garlic clove with your teeth, these two elements combine to form the active substance 'Allicin'. As soon as allicin enters the body, it immediately starts working to reduce inflammation of the blood arteries, fight free radicals and eliminate harmful bacteria.
Amidst the increasing cases of heart attack and stroke, raw garlic is no less than a boon for heart health.
-
Drop in LDL and Triglycerides: It has been proven in many international clinical studies that eating raw garlic regularly for 8 to 12 weeks can reduce the level of harmful LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides in the blood by 10 to 15 percent.
-
Flexibility of arteries: It slows down the process of accumulation of plaque (fat layer) on the walls of the arteries, thereby avoiding the risk of atherosclerosis and maintaining smooth blood circulation to the heart.
Eating garlic on an empty stomach in the morning is considered very beneficial for people suffering from high blood pressure.
-
Formation of Nitric Oxide: The elements present in raw garlic stimulate the production of 'nitric oxide' and hydrogen sulphide in the body.
-
Dilation of arteries: Nitric oxide dilates and relaxes narrowed blood vessels (vasodilation), which reduces blood pressure on the veins. In moderate high BP, its regular consumption effectively helps in balancing both systolic and diastolic readings.
Due to thickening of blood and formation of blood clots in the veins, there is a risk of heart attack and paralysis.
-
Anti-Platelet Properties: Raw garlic has natural anti-thrombotic properties. It prevents blood platelets from sticking together and forming a thick clot.
-
Improves circulation: It keeps the blood flow fast and uninterrupted throughout the body, especially in the fine microscopic blood vessels of the hands and feet.
Raw garlic is a mine of anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
-
Activation of white blood cells: The sulfur compounds present in it increase the efficiency of the body's immune cells (T-Cells and Macrophages) manifold.
-
Relief from cold and cough: People who consume it daily on an empty stomach, get 60 percent less infection from common cold, cough, sore throat and viral fever during the changing seasons. Besides, it is also very effective in melting and expelling the mucus accumulated in the lungs.
Garlic is capable of deep cleansing of both the liver and intestines.
-
Liver Detox Enzymes: Garlic activates liver enzymes that are responsible for removing heavy metals (such as lead and mercury) and toxic toxins from the body.
-
Elimination of harmful parasites: The antimicrobial properties present in it destroy harmful intestinal bacteria and stomach parasites, thereby strengthening the digestive fire and removing heaviness in the stomach.
Eating garlic in the wrong way does not provide its full benefits and can cause stomach irritation. The scientific way of eating it is as follows:
-
In the morning, take 2 small or medium sized fresh garlic cloves and peel them.
-
Instead of swallowing the garlic whole, chop it finely with a knife or crush it lightly in a mortar and pestle.
-
10 Minute Golden Rule: After crushing, do not eat the garlic immediately, rather leave it in the open air for 8 to 10 minutes. During this time, due to the reaction of oxygen present in the air, maximum 'Allicin' becomes active.
-
After 10 minutes, chew it thoroughly and then drink a glass of lukewarm water. If you cannot tolerate its spiciness, you can also eat it by adding half a teaspoon of pure honey to it.
Although garlic is natural, everyone's body is different:
-
Acidity and ulcer patients: People who suffer from severe heartburn, hyper-acidity or peptic ulcer in the stomach should not eat it on an empty stomach, because the nature of garlic is hot and pungent.
-
Those taking blood thinners: Patients who are already taking allopathic blood-thinning medicines (such as aspirin, warfarin or clopidogrel) should not take raw garlic in large quantities without consulting the doctor.
-
Before surgery: If you are scheduled to have a surgery or tooth extraction, stop raw garlic at least 10 days before to avoid the risk of bleeding.
-
Pregnant women: Avoid excessive consumption of raw garlic to avoid excessive body heat during pregnancy.