Nature has been providing man with thousands of herb plants with health benefits and medicinal properties. One of such herb plants is the common garlic widely used around the world for its pungent flavor as a seasoning or condiment.

Every morning for two (2) years now, I have been taking fresh Ilocano aged garlic, slightly fried in olive oil as part of my breakfast. Because a friend told me two (2) years ago that garlic is a blood pressure regulator. Others prefer to take garlic supplements in pills or capsules to avoid the so-called garlic breath. I prefer the fresh Ilocano specie. Months after eating Ilocano garlic for breakfast… I researched about garlic and to my surprise, I found out that its health benefits is awesome.

Let me share some interesting information about garlic:
• Do you know that while garlic is grown globally, the largest producer of garlic is China (producing over 77% of the world output) followed by India, South Korea, Russia, and the US;

• Do you know that garlic, botanically known as allium sativum is a species in the onion family;

• Do you know that garlic has been used throughout history for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Hippocrates, the father of medicine had said, “If one chews a cloves of garlic everyday and swallows its juice, one will remain free from all sorts of diseases;

• Do you know that in ancient Egypt, the health benefits of garlic was recognized and in fact thousands of slaves working on the great pyramid were fed garlic daily in order to keep them free from diseases;

• Do you know that in ancient times, soldiers relied on garlic to give them added strength in battle;

• Do you know that garlic was used as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene during World War I and World War II. Garlic is probably one of the most powerful antiseptic known to man. All kinds of worms are destroyed by garlic;

• Do you know that garlic is a stimulant, diuretic and expectorant; also an excellent remedy in nervous and spasmodic cough and hoarseness;

• Do you know that garlic also cures chronic diseases in the upper respiratory organs;

• Do you know that garlic makes loose teeth take root again, removes tartar and has a curative effect on eye catarrh and inflammation of the lachrymal duct as well as of the middle ear;

• Do you know that garlic possesses miraculous healing powers in typhoid, cholera, intestinal and lung cancer;

• Do you know that in Russia, garlic was commonly known as “Russian Penicillin.” Almost all Russians eat garlic daily and their average longevity rose beyond 100 years of age. Modern science has confirmed that garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic. The good news too is that our body does not appear to build up resistance to the garlic… so its positive health benefits can continue over time;

• Do you know that there are some people who are allergic to garlic with symptoms of skin rash, temperature and headaches; and

• Do you know that it is not healthful to store raw garlic in oil at room temperature or even for too long in refrigerator.

Yes, the common garlic is a wonderful health benefit. It should be part of our healthy lifestyle. A word of caution though: It is not advisable to take too much raw garlic, as this may irritate or even damage the digestive tract.

Have a joyful day!