Garlic is a close relative of shallot, onion, chive, leek and rakko and also a species of genus onion, Allium. As garlic is an inherent of Central Asia, it has been a vital for Mediterranean region and condiments for Asia, Europe and Africa.
It was best known for medicinal purposes throughout the history. It has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. It helps to prevent from heart diseases (such as atherosclerosis, high cholesterol and high blood pressure) and cancer (such as stomach and colon cancers). It also reduces cholesterol and cardiovascular problems.
Health benefits of Garlic Essential Oil
Garlic is an ingredient as well as a cure for various health problems. It helps to make the dishes tasty and healthy too. The Garlic oil is extracted from the crushed garlics by the process of steam distillation which is pure, expensive and highly concentrated. The oil can also be extracted by soaking the chopped garlics in a vegetable oil which is gentle but less concentrated. Garlic oil can also be found in a capsule form which contains only 1% garlic oil and remaining vegetable oil. It serves various benefits with its antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
The health benefits provided by the Garlic are discussed below:
1. Strengthens your immune system
It is a power house and increases the immunity power with its nutrients such as B2, B5, B9, B1, B3, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, Vitamin C, carbohydrates, phosphorus, iron and protein. It provides protection from the problems caused by free radicals such as ageing.
It acts against the infectious diseases spread by microbes. Adding 1 drop of garlic oil to the diffuser and inhaling this aroma will improve the immune system and white blood cells which helps to fight against diseases.
2. Skin health
Garlic oil provides a various skin benefits and cure infections such as ringworm, jock itch and athlete’s foot. The warts and corns are also cured by this oil. The relief from psoriasis is offered with its anti-inflammatory properties. A few drops of garlic oil should be added to the warm water and dipping foot on this water may get rid of itchy athlete’s foot.
3. Acne
Garlic oil has the ability to eliminate the blemishes. Acne fighting mask can be prepared at home with garlic oil as it has antioxidant properties. A pimples and acne scars can be cured by adding garlic oil to the mud pack.
4. Healthy hair
Garlic oil promotes in hair growth and changes the hair texture. Garlic oil helps to prevent scalp related diseases due to the presence of Vitamin B6, sulfur, Vitamin E, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin C. It prevents from breaking hair strands and makes the hair strong. If the garlic oil is massaged on the scalp and hair and left overnight then it increases the blood circulation and promotes hair growth. It makes the scalp healthy by clearing the toxic substances.
Garlic oil is very effective in treating dandruff. Garlic oil or garlic oil capsules should be applied to the scalp to get rid from itchy scalp. It prevents dandruff from reoccurring and hydrates the scalp. The garlic oil could be continuously used till it is removed.
5. Bodily Aches and Pains
Muscles spasms are also effectively treated by the garlic oil. The coachees are recommended to take 2-4 pills of garlic oil by their coaches. The girls having the problem of menstrual cramps or anemic are also cured by this garlic oil.
6. Reduces cholesterol and checks obesity
The lower serum triglycerides and bad cholesterol affects the health. Garlic assists in reducing cholesterol levels, blood triglycerides and creation of arterial plaque. It prevents obesity by removing the excess deposits of water, fat, salts and other toxic substances and controlling the fat cells pattern. The presence of 1. 2-DT (1, 2-cinyldithiin) helps to prevent weight gain. The mixture of 5 drops of Garlic oil and 3 ml of sesame oils if massaged then it helps to discharge excess water and toxics from the body through sweating and urination and dissolves fat. This can also help to reduce inflammation caused by rheumatism and arthritis.
7. Common Cold
Due to the Kapha Dosha in people the respiratory infections, cough, cold and flu is occurred. Due to the presence of warmth in garlic it can reduce the kapha energy in excess. It also prevents the growth of micro-organisms and respiratory infections with its expectorant, antiviral, antibiotic, antibacterial and decongestant properties. The inhalation of the steam by adding 2 drops of Garlic oil in hot water and the mixture of 1 drop of Garlic oil and vaporub or ointments if massaged on the chest will helps to eliminate the common cold, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and whooping cough and breathing difficulties.
8. Cancer
It helps to increase the immune system which helps to fight against cancer. The population studies say that consumption of more garlic either cooked or raw prevents from stomach, cancer of esophagus and colon cancers. The researcher says that the risk of colorectal cancer is reduced by 30% who consume more garlic. But the supplement of garlic does not provide the same effect.
9. Ear infections
Ear infections could be treated by the warm homemade garlic oil. Garlic oil is medicinal with its antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Heat a few drops of garlic oil with 2 tablespoons of olive, mustard or coconut oil on a low flame. It can be refrigerated by putting it in a glass bottle. The ear infections can be treated by putting 2 or 3 drops of this oil on the ear. Sinusitis and common cold is also cured by this garlic oil.
10. Heart disease
Garlic is considered an herb for treating atherosclerosis and heart disease. But it is not clear. Some studies say that the heart disease is prevented from garlic. The atherosclerosis and blood pressure is lowered by 5% to 8%. But one study found that those who consumed garlic slow down the development of atherosclerosis. Garlic helps to prohibit strokes and heart attacks as it operates as a blood thinner.
The studies that were made earlier founded that the garlics could lower the high cholesterol. But the recent study proves that the garlics are not able to lower cholesterol.
11. Tooth ache
Garlic oil can provide relief for tooth ache. The oil should be kept on the affected tooth by the use of cotton ball and leave it for 10 to 30 minutes. This should be done 3 to 4 times a day to get relief from pain.
12. Antimicrobial activity
Garlics have antifungal and antibacterial properties. Allicin and Thiosulfinates play a vital role in antimicrobial activity.
13. Mosquito repellent
The garlic oil helps to repel the mosquitoes.
14. Manage Diabetes
Diabetes has become the common problem in today’s world. The studies found that the garlic oil helps to prohibit the diabetes.
15. Stimulates system
Garlic leads to awareness and consciousness in the body. The reproductive problems and impotency like sexual disorders are also treated by Garlic essential oil. The inhale of aroma by putting 1 drop of oil in vaporizer is effective to raise the natural energy levels and revive the energy in the body.
Other Ailments
The garlic oil if added to the regular diet helps to prevent the various health problems. It increases the immune power to fight the problems such as flu, common cold, fever, cough, sinus congestion, asthma and headache. It also prevents from stomach aches and food poisoning. Garlic has so many benefits becoming a part of our life.
Storage of Garlic essential oil
When finished preparing garlic oil, it should be left to cool and placed on the refrigerator with an airtight container. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the oil should be used within one to two weeks to prevent salmonella or botulism bacterial infections.
Garlic essential oil preparation
Garlic oil is prepared by the process of steam distillation or keeping them in hot oil. Garlic oil contains high oil soluble compounds whereas steam distilled oil has high water soluble compounds. Garlic oil includes the active ingredients such as methyl allyl disulfide, diallyl tetrasulfide, methyl allyl trisulfide, diallyl monosulfide, methyl allyl hexasulfide, dimethyl pentasulfide, dimethyl tetrasulfide and dimethyl trisulfide.
How to prepare garlic essential oil at home
As the base for garlic oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil or mustard oil could be used. This oil should be heated. The garlic cloves should be peeled letting it stand for an hour. The garlics should be added to the hot oil and let it be for some times so to let the compounds abrupt into the oil. After that the oil should be filtered and could be used in various ways. The one part of garlic oil should be diluted to the 200 parts of plain oil before using because garlic oil is very powerful. Garlic oil can also be found in capsule forms as well.
Refernece:
https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/garlic
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/food-beverages/garlic
http://medherb.com/Therapeutics/Immune_-_Garlic_and_AIDS_.htm
http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/archive/mdd/v05/i04/html/04news4.html
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-300-garlic.aspx
PDF: https://www.pbrc.edu/training-and-education/pdf/pns/PNS_Garlic.pdf
http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/garlic-fact-sheet
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