Garlic Benefits: Studies Show 7 Health and Beauty Gains

Garlic Benefits: Studies Show 7 Health and Beauty Gains

It has been said that all current drugs and medicines are simply versions of herbs and foods that can be patented by the pharmaceutical companies. These herbs have been used freely throughout history for their healing properties. The greatest jewel in the crown of all medicinal herbs is garlic. Recent studies confirm and support its power.

The ingredient in garlic that gives it its medicinal properties is allicin. Garlic is also rich in sulfur and vitamins B6, C and B1. Garlic was once known as the “Russian penicillin” because it acts as a natural antibiotic against bacteria, viruses, fungi and colds, strengthening the body to prevent disease.

1. Garlic prevents colds - Advances in Therapy magazine.

This study included 146 people who received either a placebo or a garlic supplement containing allicin for 12 weeks. Participants recorded cold symptoms and infections daily in a diary. At the end of the study, the garlic group had 63% fewer colds and recovered much faster after infection - in an average of 1.5 days versus 5 days.

This research also showed that those who took the placebo were much more likely to get more than one cold during the treatment period. The researchers concluded: “A dietary supplement containing allicin can prevent an attack by the cold virus.”

2. Garlic Gel for Recurrent Hair Loss – “Indian Journal of Dermatology”

To determine the effectiveness of garlic gel applied to the scalp for recurrent hair loss, researchers divided participants into two groups. One group used a garlic gel and the other a placebo for three months. Additionally, both groups used a steroid cream on the scalp. The size of the spots and the overall condition of the hair were recorded every month.

At the end of the study, very good responses were observed in the garlic group. The study showed that using a garlic gel significantly increased the therapeutic benefits of the steroid cream and that it is an effective remedy for hair loss.

3. Heavy metals in the body detoxified by garlic – “Basic Clinical Toxicology”

This study used automobile battery industry workers with chronic lead poisoning. The workers were divided into two groups: one received allicin from garlic three times a day and the other group received the drug D-penicillamine. At the end of the four-week study, symptoms of lead poisoning were assessed. Researchers reported significant improvement in the garlic group, including less irritability, fewer headaches, better tendon reflexes and lower blood pressure. None of these benefits were observed in the D-penicillamine group.

4. Diet Garlic Prevents Hip Arthritis - “Musculoskeletal Disorders” Journal

1,000 healthy female twins took part in this study. The research team recorded the twins' diets in detail and compared them with X-ray images that showed the degree of osteoarthritis development in the hips, spine and knees.

Their discovery was that high intake of vegetables and fruits, particularly high-sulfur ones like garlic and onions, led to lower signs of early osteoarthritis in the hip.

Dr. Frances Williams, lead author of the study from King's College London, said: "...These results may point the way to future treatments and prevention of hip osteoarthritis."

5. Aged Garlic Extract Lowers Blood Pressure – “Maturitas” (The European Menopause Journal)

This study followed 50 patients over a treatment period of 12 weeks. Patients were treated with antihypertensive medication, but blood pressure remained high and uncontrolled. The results showed that aged garlic extract was effective in reducing blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

6. Garlic improves exercise tolerance – “Indian Journal of Physiology”

In a study of 30 patients with heart disease, treadmill tests were designed to examine their endurance. After the first test, they were given garlic oil capsules daily for six weeks. When the test was repeated, it was found that the garlic had greatly improved their heart rate at maximum exercise and also reduced the workload on the heart. This gave patients better exercise tolerance and ability.

7. Garlic Reduces Lung Cancer Risk by 44% – “Cancer Prevention Research”

In this 7-year study, researchers at a medical center in China surveyed 1,424 lung cancer patients and also 4,543 healthy people. They were asked questions about their diet, smoking and how often they ate garlic. Consuming raw garlic 2 times or more per week was found to be associated with a 44% prevention of lung cancer. Among smokers in the study, those who ate raw garlic still had their risk of lung cancer reduced by about 30%.

How to take garlic

Garlic is best eaten raw. Some tasty ways to reap the benefits of garlic include adding it to homemade salsa, guacamole, salad dressings, pasta sauce, in mashed potatoes and mixed with butter and then as a spread. It can also be added to vegetable smoothies and hot vegetable dishes.

If raw garlic causes stomach upset, there are many garlic supplements that contain good amounts of allicin.