Herb of the month: Garlic
|
Time to read 9 min
Garlic is one of Nature’s most Powerful Protectors
Garlic, or Allium sativum is a wellness superstar with multiple health benefits! Celebrated for centuries in traditional healing methods, garlic has earned its place as one of nature’s most powerful protectors. With benefits ranging from boosting immunity to supporting heart health and digestion, this little clove packs a serious punch. As the colder months roll in, garlic becomes even more valuable for staying strong and resilient against seasonal challenges.
The secret to garlic’s power lies in its sulfur compounds, especially allicin, which is released when garlic is chopped, crushed, or chewed. Allicin gives garlic its incredible immune supportive properties, making it a natural defender against unwanted invaders. But let’s be honest—while fresh garlic is amazing, the strong aroma and intensity aren’t always ideal for daily use.
That’s why we’re excited to spotlight our freeze-dried garlic capsules! They capture all the goodness of fresh garlic, preserving its active compounds without the mess or garlic breath. Easy to take and highly potent, these capsules make it simple to enjoy garlic’s immune and heart-supporting benefits every day.
Read on to learn why garlic is our Herb of the Month and how it can support your health naturally this season!
"Historical records reveal that garlic was used medicinally as far back as 4,000 to 5,000 years ago in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China. The Egyptians famously prized garlic for its health benefits, incorporating it into both healing traditions and cuisine."
Garlic’s Rich History: From Ancient Remedy to Modern Superfood
Garlic, or Allium sativum, has been treasured for thousands of years, valued both as a potent healing herb and a flavorful ingredient. As early as 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China relied on garlic to enhance strength, protect health, and ward off illness. In ancient Egypt, garlic was given to laborers for endurance and placed in tombs for the afterlife. Mesopotamian tablets reference garlic for ailments ranging from digestive issues to infections, while Chinese medicine valued it for balancing qi and guarding against illness.
Greek and Roman cultures embraced garlic with enthusiasm, recognizing it as both a performance booster and a protective herb. Greek athletes ate garlic before competitions, and soldiers took it before battles. Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” praised garlic’s benefits for immunity and digestion, advice which the Romans carried forward, using garlic to treat wounds and digestive complaints.
By the Middle Ages, garlic was a popular remedy throughout Europe. During the Black Plague, people wore garlic as protection and hung it around their homes to ward off infection. This belief in garlic’s protective powers persisted through the Renaissance and into the early modern period, where garlic was frequently used in European healing systems for respiratory health, circulation, and immunity. During both World Wars, garlic even served as an antiseptic, known as “Russian penicillin” when supplies of medicine were scarce.
Today, garlic is celebrated as a modern superfood. Backed by research confirming its immune-boosting, heart-supporting, and antioxidant properties, garlic remains a timeless and popular supplement.
Freeze-Dried Garlic Capsules
Here at Eclectic, we take pride in offering freeze-dried garlic capsules that deliver the full potency of fresh garlic in a pure and convenient form.
Grown on a certified organic farm in Oregon, our garlic is carefully cultivated to ensure the highest quality. Using a gentle freeze-drying process, we preserve the full spectrum of active compounds, including allicin—the key sulfur compound known for its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties. This method locks in garlic’s natural goodness, maintaining its potency and nutrients without any fillers or additives.
The Benefits of Garlic
Immune System Support
Garlic is a natural powerhouse when it comes to supporting the immune system. Its sulfur compounds, particularly allicin, are activated when garlic is chopped or crushed, delivering potent immune-supporting properties. These compounds help bolster the body’s natural defenses, making garlic a trusted ally during the cold months. Regular consumption of garlic can also enhance the activity of white blood cells, the frontline defenders in the body’s immune response.
In addition to its immediate immune-boosting effects, garlic is a safe and effective option for those looking to strengthen their immune systems naturally, without relying on synthetic alternatives. It’s no wonder garlic remains a go-to herb for staying resilient and well throughout the year.
Heart Health
Garlic has been valued for generations for its remarkable cardiovascular benefits. It supports healthy circulation, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, making it a key herb for heart health. Studies have shown that regular garlic consumption can help lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels while maintaining or even increasing HDL (good cholesterol), promoting a balanced and healthier heart.
Garlic’s benefits go beyond cholesterol management. Its powerful antioxidant properties help combat oxidative stress, while its natural anti-inflammatory effects protect the cardiovascular system. Incorporating garlic into your diet or using garlic supplements is a simple, natural way to enhance heart health and support overall cardiovascular wellness.
Digestive Health
Garlic plays a significant role in promoting gut health, acting as a natural prebiotic to support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. These healthy gut bacteria are essential for proper digestion, immune function, and even mood regulation. Garlic’s defensive properties also help balance gut flora by reducing harmful bacteria without disturbing the good ones, creating an environment for optimal digestive health.
In addition to supporting gut flora, garlic aids digestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes, helping the body break down food more efficiently. Its anti-inflammatory properties can soothe irritation in the digestive tract, making it beneficial for people with mild digestive discomfort. Adding garlic to your meals or taking it as a supplement is an easy way to enhance gut health and maintain a balanced digestive system.
Antioxidant and Detoxifying Properties
Garlic is a powerful source of antioxidants, which help neutralize harmful free radicals and protect cells from oxidative stress. This not only supports long-term health but also slows the aging process by preserving the integrity of cells and tissues. The antioxidants in garlic, including selenium, also boost the body’s natural detoxification processes, particularly in the liver, where toxins are broken down and eliminated.
Garlic’s sulfur compounds further support detoxification by enhancing the activity of liver enzymes responsible for clearing out toxins. This makes garlic an excellent addition to any detox regimen or for regular maintenance of the body’s natural cleansing systems. By including garlic in your diet, you can give your body the tools it needs to stay energized, balanced, and free of harmful toxins.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Garlic is renowned for its natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it an effective remedy for managing inflammation across the body. The presence of compounds like diallyl disulfide in garlic helps reduce inflammatory markers, which can soothe symptoms commonly associated with conditions like arthritis and joint pain.
Garlic's ability to alleviate inflammation isn't limited to systemic issues—it can also target localized inflammation in areas such as the respiratory and digestive systems. This is particularly valuable during times of seasonal change, when allergies and environmental factors might trigger inflammation. Incorporating garlic into your daily diet, either as a whole food or through supplements, can aid in maintaining a balanced inflammatory response, contributing to better overall health and wellness.
Garlic is a natural powerhouse, celebrated for its immune-boosting, heart-supporting, digestive-enhancing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its key active compounds, like allicin, provide a range of health benefits, from strengthening the immune system to promoting cardiovascular and digestive wellness. However, not all garlic products deliver the same level of potency. That’s where freeze-dried garlic stands out.
Grown in Oregon and carefully freeze-dried to lock in its full spectrum of active compounds, our garlic is as close to fresh as you can get. Freeze-drying preserves the sulfur compounds and antioxidants that make garlic so effective, ensuring maximum potency without the loss of nutrients that can occur with other processing methods. For natural immune support, better circulation, or enhanced gut health, freeze-dried garlic offers a pure, powerful, and convenient way to experience the best of this ancient herb.
Garlic is perfect for DIY remedies beyond cooking! This humble bulb is a powerhouse of taste and natural healing.
DIY Garlic Remedies
Garlic Ear Drops
A gentle remedy to soothe earaches.
Ingredients:
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
- Warm olive oil on low heat and add crushed garlic. Let it infuse for 10 minutes without frying.
- Strain the oil and let it cool to a lukewarm temperature.
- Place a drop or two into the affected ear, being careful not to use hot oil.
Lacto-Fermented Garlic
Lacto-fermented pickles are rich in probiotics, which support gut health by promoting a balanced microbiome, improving digestion, and boosting the immune system naturally.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup peeled garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 cup filtered water
Instructions:
- Dissolve the sea salt in the filtered water to create a brine.
- Place the peeled garlic cloves in a clean, sterilized glass jar.
- Pour the brine over the garlic, ensuring all cloves are fully submerged, and leave 1 inch of space at the top of the jar.
- Weigh the garlic down with a fermentation weight or a small, clean object to keep it under the brine and prevent exposure to air.
- Cover the jar loosely with a lid or a clean cloth secured with a rubber band to allow gas to escape during fermentation.
- Let the garlic ferment at room temperature for 7–14 days, checking daily to release any gas buildup and ensure the garlic stays submerged.
- Once the garlic has reached your desired tanginess, seal the jar tightly and store it in the refrigerator.
How to Use:
Enjoy 1–2 cloves daily as a flavorful, probiotic-rich addition to your meals or as a natural immune-boosting snack.
Garlic Infused Honey
This delicious way to use garlic can be used to support the immune system and to soothe sore throats. Simply eat a spoonful or a clove as needed, or use in cooking!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw honey
- 6–8 fresh garlic cloves, peeled and slightly crushed
Instructions:
- Place the crushed garlic cloves into a clean, dry jar.
- Pour raw honey over the garlic, ensuring the cloves are fully submerged.
- Seal the jar and let it infuse at room temperature for 1–2 weeks. Stir occasionally.
- Use a spoonful of the garlic honey as needed to soothe sore throats or support your immune system.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to three months.
Garlic has been revered for centuries, and for good reason. It offers incredible benefits for immune support, heart health, digestion, and more. The best garlic is always the one you’ve grown yourself—there’s something so rewarding about cultivating your own herbs. But since that’s not always possible, the next best thing is freeze-dried garlic. It concentrates all the active compounds of fresh garlic, giving you a pure, potent option for daily wellness.
Have fun experimenting with garlic remedies at home, like soothing garlic honey or immune-boosting tea. These simple DIY recipes are a great way to connect with the natural power of garlic while supporting your health.
To wrap up, garlic truly is one of nature’s powerhouses—whether it’s used fresh, in homemade remedies, or in its most concentrated freeze-dried form. Here’s a quick summary of why garlic is our Herb of the Month:
- Supports Immunity: Boosts your body’s natural defenses.
- Promotes Heart Health: Helps maintain healthy circulation and cholesterol.
- Enhances Digestion: Acts as a natural prebiotic for gut health.
- DIY Friendly: Perfect for homemade remedies like garlic tea or infused honey.
- Convenient and Potent: Freeze-dried garlic capsules deliver all the benefits without the fuss.
This season, turn to garlic for a simple, natural way to support your health.
The Author: Christine Alstat
Meet Christine Alstat, an internationally acclaimed naturopath and herbalist of Japanese heritage, whose profound expertise in plants and natural health has garnered recognition worldwide. As the dedicated CEO and owner of Eclectic Herb, Christine seamlessly intertwines her deep-rooted commitment to the Earth with her business, cultivating a space where her passion for plants is ever in full bloom. Her influential voice on herbal wisdom resonates across the globe through publications and panels, reflecting a lifetime commitment to nurturing both the plant kingdom and the earth.
Beyond her thriving professional life, Christine finds joy in the simple pleasures of hobbies. Whether she's spending time with her family, gathering herbs throughout the seasons, or concocting her own remedies in her home apothecary, Christine Alstat embodies a harmonious blend of nature, health, and the spiritual bonds that tie us all together.
