Various garlic health benefits and medicinal properties have long been claimed and it has been used extensively in herbal medicine. It has a reputation in folklore for preventing everything from the common cold to releiving depression.
Amongst other things, raw garlic is used by some to treat the symptoms of acne and there is some evidence that it can assist in managing high cholesterol levels. It can even be effective as a natural mosquito repellent.
Some people who want the claimed health benefits without the taste prefer to take garlic supplements. These pills and capsules have the advantage of avoiding garlic breath. As an herbal product, garlic is the 4th best selling supplement in the U.S. A stunning amount of garlic is being consumed for its health benefits.
Garlic has long been considered a wonder food. Numerous studies have shown that its properties help to keep the cardiovascular system healthy. It is especially effective against the cholesterol type that can damage the arteries and heart.
Garlic and Mental Health
During a recent study on the effects of garlic on cholesterol, German researchers found that participants experienced an elevation in their moods. Another study found that garlic eaters experienced less fatigue, anxiety and irritability, and had a greater sense of well-being.
Garlic has also been used in the treatment of addiction. Alcoholic steatosis (fatty liver) is the earliest and most common response to heavy alcohol intake, and may precede more severe forms of liver injury. A 2007 study noted that a combination of garlic (Allium sativum) and metadoxine can be an effective treatment for fatty liver. Other studies have demonstrated that garlic can inhibit the progression of liver cancer. This suggests that garlic may have a protective effect on the liver.