By: Richard Bleuze
Give the cold shoulder to congestion and sore throats with a clove of garlic. Not only will it zest up your meal, it will also boost your immune system! When you crush the cloves, the natural compound call allicin will be released. This compound is what gives garlic its flavor and amoma.
Allicin works to fight colds and the flu by breaking down into smaller chemicals called sulfur compounds. They, in turn, help your body to get rid of harmful toxins and microorganisms naturally. Allicin acts like an antibiotic. It's been called "Russian penicillin" because of its ability to help the body fight off infections, especially respiratory and digestive infections.
Mincing fresh garlic seems to be the best way to get all of the benefits of allicin. Experts recommend eating several cloves a day. You can also try garlic powder or supplements. Once you've started adding garlic to your meals, you'll wonder why you hadn't started using garlic sooner!
NOTE: Garlic keeps you blood from clumping or clotting. This in turn can lead to bleeding when taken along with blood thinning medications like warfarin. Thus, talk with your doctor if you're taking a blood thinning medication.
