A herbal introduction to the power and magic that is Garlic
Welcome to my lens. I firmly believe in the power of garlic and have a great interest in herbs in general. Like lots of people, I didn't really understand what they were about and the effect they have on our lives. when, quite by accident, some research I was doing dropped me into a 'herb page'' about Dandelions (believe it or not), I was hooked!
Some of the best herbs not only taste great but are life-savers. Garlic is a case in point. Some of the health benefits attributed to Garlic (amongst others) are;
Garlic is an anti-fungal
Raw crushed Garlic is an excellent antbiotic
Garlic is of benefit to the entire Cardiovascular system
Garlic can help in cholesterol management
Read on with an open mind and let me know what you think.
Herbs, Health and Happiness
The powerhouse that is Garlic
Previously I've looked back at the history of man's gradual understanding of the value of herbs and edible plants, an education that dates back in one way or another to the creation of the first living thing. I started (by accident) researching a single herb, Dandelion, and discovered some of its amazing properties. In this lens I'm going to feature another herb that in the past was despised as 'foreign muck' by many, and God's gift to man by many others. Thankfully mans education continued, and with few exceptions this herb is now properly respected and dare I say it, absolutely essential. That herb is GarlicLearn about Herbs and Health
"If we use Garlic and enjoy it, that's good enough"
Today Garlic is the must have ingredient and has pride of place in any good family kitchen. We don't use it in everything of course but we do use it wherever we can. Of course there are some cuisines that just would not work without Garlic, at least not in the accepted sense. Imagine Italian or Spanish food (plus many other cuisines) if Garlic disappeared, doesn't bear thinking about does it?
Learn about Herbs and Health
If we use Garlic and enjoy it, that's good enough. If you want to feel even better about using Garlic then read on, I may surprise you:
Garlic is a member of the onion family and well up in the Royal hierarchy of the extended herb family. It does things that will make you think, literally. We'll come back to that later in this lens
The powers of Garlic underlined
..and why it's good for you..
In terms of health benefits Garlic is a proven antiseptic, lowers cholesterol, thins the blood, reduces blood sugar levels, is believed to help prevent some cancers, helps the liver deal with fat in the blood and helps in the destruction of blood clots. If that's not enough, it tastes good too!
I mentioned earlier that Garlic makes you think. Maybe what I should have said was 'because Garlic helps clean out our system, the brain included, we have a larger capacity to think'.
Incidentally...
The subject of herbs is massive, have a look at my site, it's here:
Learn about Herbs and Health
Let me know what you think, good or bad, it's all important
In the days of 'happy meals' and other fast foods I do believe that it's important that we keep a hold of our sanity. The developed world is becoming more obese by the day and we're getting idle when it comes to providing the healthy options for our families. Of course, I'm not saying that people don't believe that they're not doing their best, but I DO believe that we're being conned by TV advertising. A 'happy meal' (no capitals, they don't deserve it) should be a treat, not a way of life! Public opinion has forced the major burger barons to offer healthier options, and so they should! An understanding of what is naturally available, and using these ingredients will help to keep your kids healthy and will, with a bit of luck, be passed on to their kids.
Reccomended reading
Italian Herb Garden Trio: Indoor Garden Gift Set incl. 3 planters, dip tray, seeds, peat soil pellets.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009) 
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs with all their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments
Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 12/04/2009)
Herbs & Spices: The Cook's Reference
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 12/04/2009)
Your Backyard Herb Garden: A Gardener's Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, Crafts, Companion Planting and More
Amazon Price: $12.91 (as of 12/04/2009)
A video that helps show the versatility of Garlic in cooking. Delicious
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