Garlic As A Natural Antibiotic
Written by: Brandi Monasco
Everyone at some point in their life have taken antibiotics, whether they were for helping fight a mild kidney infection, sinus infection, or another infection.
Antibiotics are medications that fight against bacterial diseases and, if they are used properly, are capable of saving lives. Antibiotics are used when your body comes into contact with bacteria and germs. Sometimes your immune system just isn’t up to the task of killing that bacteria on its own, or your immune system may be overrun with germs and need the extra boost.
We see antibiotics as a good thing and in most cases, they are. But too much of a good thing can turn bad.
The Dark Side Of Antibiotics
When your body is overloaded with antibiotics, your body runs the risk of becoming resistant to antibacterial medications, which can contribute to having even more bacterial infections.
Antibiotics also come with side-effects. Often times you may experience diarrhea and stomach discomfort, nausea and even headaches.
While you take antibiotics to help an infection, they can sometimes cause a separate infection in your stomach. This infection happens when antibiotics wipe out all of the “good” bacteria while treating the bad. The use of antibiotics allows certain pathogens to take hold in your stomach and while the “good” bacteria is gone, these pathogens have room to play and grow, causing cravings for sugar and carbohydrates.
Medical News Today states: “This temporary surplus of carbohydrates, plus a reduction of ‘good bacteria’ in the gut, allows at least two potentially life-threatening pathogens to multiply rapidly.”
What that said, there is a natural alternative to prescription antibiotics and that alternative is GARLIC.
The Powers Of Garlic
Garlic is known mainly for cooking, but it can also be beneficial for your body if taken regularly.
A study conducted by Washington State University found that a compound that is found in garlic is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics. Garlic is a natural, powerful antibiotic and it does not kill off your healthy bacteria like chemical (prescription) antibiotics will.
The compound found in garlic that is responsible for the herb’s antibacterial properties is called allicin. Allicin is formed when the bulb of the garlic is crushed, which also creates the scent of garlic. When allicin is formed, it is about one-fiftieth as powerful as penicillin.
Garlic works in your body, enhancing the ability of white blood cells to help fight infections. It also stimulates other immune cells, allowing them to also fight bacterial and viral infections. Garlic may also play an important role in helping fight and prevent cancer.
The National Cancer Institute states: “Several population studies show an association between increased intake of garlic and reduced risk of certain cancers, including cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas and breast.”
The compounds found in garlic makes cancer cells more vulnerable to stress, which is what cancer cells thrive on. They divide faster when your body is stressed. When garlic is introduced, the cancer cells become damaged, making it more difficult for them to divide.
Adding Garlic To Your Diet
Making sure to get garlic into your food isn’t too hard. It makes a great seasoning to many dishes. However, keep in mind that garlic is most effective when it is raw. The garlic clove should be crushed and exposed to air for about 10 minutes before it is consumed in order to activate the compounds to their full potential. You can add the juice of garlic cloves to tomato juice, soups or drinks.
What is your favorite recipe involving garlic? Share with us in the comments below!
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Brandi Monasco is a freelance writer, graphic designer and social media manager from Texas. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts and has recently found a new love for health and nutrition.
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