Garlic for cystitis: indications, contraindications and side effects


History of garlic

This is one of the oldest vegetable crops. Mentioned already in 2600 BC on Sumerian clay tablets. Garlic was considered a magical plant and was used to save crops from pests. According to Egyptian legend, the pharaoh introduced a portion of garlic into the daily diet of the slaves who built the pyramids to maintain their physical strength. The Greeks used garlic with honey to treat lung disease and also to improve male fertility. In Rome, legionnaires wore garlic on their chests as a talisman and used it as an antibacterial and antiparasitic agent. In Europe, garlic was considered a magical and medicinal plant; it was used to treat the plague and to fight evil spirits. The first scientific study of garlic, carried out in the mid-19th century by Pasteur, proved the antibacterial properties of the vegetable - microbes did not grow in the areas around the cloves. Garlic solution was used to fight infections during the First World War. The vegetable was brought to Rus' already in the 9th century.

The Spanish city of Las Pedroneras is officially considered the Garlic Capital of the World.

Interesting facts about garlic

There are some very interesting facts about garlic. For example, did you know that the city of Chicago was named after this culture? In 1720, in France, thanks to this plant, a huge number of people were saved from a plague epidemic and thus “thanked” this vegetable.

And in India, this culture was used only for treatment, because they did not like its smell. A restaurant called “Garlic” has been opened in America; the name literally translates to “garlic” in English.

And the most interesting thing: absolutely the entire menu there is prepared with the addition of garlic. In America, they generally love this culture so much that they hold festivals on the topic, and the proceeds are transferred to patients with mental disorders.

During the flu epidemic in China in 2009, the price of garlic increased by almost half. Russia was not spared this either: during the coronavirus epidemic in some regions of the country, the price of this crop, as the most powerful natural antiseptic, soared almost to the skies.

Benefits of garlic

Garlic contains many useful substances: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins B and C, selenium, manganese, iodine and essential oils. At the same time, garlic is quite a high-calorie product - 100 g contains 149 kcal. But this spicy vegetable is consumed in small quantities and it will not harm your figure. However, garlic increases appetite.

Garlic contains phytoncides - volatile substances that protect the plant from parasites and bacteria. When phytoncides are consumed as food, bactericidal, antiparasitic and antifungal effects are observed. The study found that a group of people who regularly consumed garlic caught colds three times less often than those who did not eat garlic at all.

Garlic has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Regular consumption of this vegetable helps stimulate hematopoiesis, and also reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The risk of thrombosis and blood viscosity are reduced. The condition of the blood vessels affects the ability to absorb oxygen, endurance and the rate of blood flow to the organs, so garlic affects the sexual function of men. In addition, this vegetable promotes the production of the male sex hormone testosterone.

Why is it important in the morning and on an empty stomach?

No matter how scary it may sound, it is best to consume this spicy vegetable in the morning and on an empty stomach . Bacteria are most vulnerable at this time, so sucking garlic on an empty stomach will have the greatest effect.

The action of garlic as a natural antibiotic will help cleanse the body of many harmful infections and parasites, cleanse it of toxins, and improve digestion.

If we talk about the time of consuming garlic throughout the year, then it is better to rely on it in the spring, since fresh young vegetables have the highest content of vitamins and minerals, which will bring additional benefits for spring vitamin deficiency.


Sucking garlic on an empty stomach helps:

  1. Strengthen the immune system (read about strengthening the immune system with garlic here).
  2. Neutralize dangerous bacteria.
  3. Eliminate digestive problems.
  4. Remove toxins.
  5. Normalize high blood pressure (you can learn about using garlic for blood pressure here).
  6. Clear the airways.
  7. Help relieve inflammation.
  8. Strengthen joints.
  9. Prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques on blood vessels.
  10. Calm the nervous system.
  11. Get rid of parasites (read how to remove parasites with garlic here).
  12. Prevent the development of intestinal infections.

Use of garlic in medicine

Pharmaceuticals offers phytotherapeutic preparations based on garlic in the form of powder in capsules and tinctures. The drugs are indicated for colds, inflammatory processes, diseases of the cardiovascular system and as part of the complex treatment of cancer. The tincture is also used externally to combat calluses and purulent inflammation of the skin. “Despite the natural composition of the drug, there is no need to self-medicate; before use, you should consult a doctor so that he can control the dosage and method of using the drug,” noted Alexander Voinov.

All over the world, garlic is used in folk medicine. Hindus use it to treat asthma, the French – influenza, the Germans – tuberculosis, gastrointestinal diseases and even baldness. In traditional oriental medicine, garlic is considered a food that improves metabolism and stimulates the digestion process.

The beneficial effects of garlic on the cardiovascular system were noted in 2007 studies. It has been found that the interaction of garlic components with red blood cells causes vasodilation and lowers blood pressure. American scientists have found that garlic extract destroys plaque in the arteries and helps prevent heart attacks.

Diallyl sulfide makes garlic effective against bacteria that cause food poisoning. Based on it, scientists plan to develop an antibacterial drug.

The anti-cancer properties of allicin contained in garlic have been confirmed by research from the University of California. During experiments with gamma irradiation of leukocytes, it turned out that cells cultured in garlic extract retained their viability, unlike cells living under normal conditions. Thus, garlic preparations are a good preventive measure for people interacting with ionizing radiation.

Vessel cleaning

⇒ To cleanse blood vessels , it is best to use a tincture made from garlic. It is usually prepared when the garlic ripens, that is, at the end of summer, and is taken until February. This remedy includes a number of useful procedures, such as preventing atherosclerosis, heart attack, varicose veins, helps get rid of migraines, improves vision, and is a preventive measure for normalizing metabolism and general rejuvenation of the body.

To prepare this solution, you need to grind 350 grams of peeled garlic to a pulp, then place the resulting mass in a glass jar and, covering the container with a lid, leave it in this state for several hours. Next, from the settled mass, select 200 grams of the juiciest and liquid part, pour 200 ml of medical alcohol into this mass (precisely medical alcohol, analogues are not allowed), and put the jar with this solution in a cool place (not the refrigerator) for 12 hours, covering it with another jar on top, like a cap. After the product has infused, strain it through a linen cloth, squeeze out and let it infuse for another 3 days. In the future, use according to the following scheme:

Almost everyone knows about the benefits of garlic , although they mostly remember its benefits for strengthening the immune system and fighting colds, while its other beneficial properties of garlic are less known. But almost no one knows anything the dangers of garlic

When it comes to the harmful properties of garlic, people usually remember only the bad breath it causes. However, garlic also has other negative properties that can cause serious harm to your health. This article provides the most complete information about both the benefits of garlic and the dangers of garlic .

What makes garlic special? What are the reasons for the benefits and harms of this product? The fact is that garlic contains many bioactive substances, which allows it to be considered a bioactive supplement. At the same time, garlic contains toxic substances. Garlic should be used with caution, because it can bring both benefits and harm.

For example, garlic promotes the natural production of hydrogen sulfide. In high concentrations, this substance becomes toxic and can cause significant harm. At the same time, it is also responsible for a significant part of the beneficial properties of garlic - hydrogen sulfide is an antioxidant, stimulates blood circulation and helps relax blood vessels.

Let's take a step-by-step look at all the beneficial and harmful properties of garlic.

Composition and characteristics of the vegetable, effect on the human body

Garlic is healthy to eat, as it contains a large amount of minerals and vitamins .

Selenium affects the body's recovery and metabolic processes. Thanks to its effect, the skin is restored faster, hair and nails grow. This substance also helps remove heavy toxins from the body.

The leaves of the plant contain more useful vitamins and microelements than the head itself. They are especially rich in ascorbic acid.


Garlic contains selenium, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, iron and copper, vitamin C

Without a sufficient amount of phosphorus, a person cannot boast of good teeth or strong bones.

Phosphorus affects the improvement of mental activity, normalization of the heart muscle and nervous system. Without it, proper metabolism will not be ensured.

such a valuable substance as thiamine (vitamin B1) in any other vegetable . It protects the brain from aging, maintains good memory and vigor, and has a great effect on the functioning of the body’s immune and nervous systems.

This herbaceous vegetable contains no fiber or fat. A small head has only 15 calories , 2 grams each of plant protein, sodium and 3 grams of carbohydrates.

The program “Live Healthy!” will talk about garlic:

What is pickled garlic?

Pickled garlic is a canned product rich in marinades . Marinating allows you to preserve the maximum amount of beneficial vitamins contained in natural vegetables. The predecessor of this young culinary technology is fermentation of products. The pickled vegetable has a pleasant and mild taste.

Canning does not reduce the concentration of phytoncides in vegetables. However, additional processing eliminates the pungent odor, which is why some are skeptical about this canned medicine.

What is the benefit, what are the beneficial properties

The Egyptians were the first to tell about the beneficial properties of the plant. As early as 3700 BC, they left figurines depicting garlic in the tomb.

The beneficial properties of garlic for human health have been used for many centuries BC. Our ancestors stocked up onions for the winter to avoid catching colds and to protect the family from scurvy.

There is a description of ancient Tibetan medicinal compositions based on garlic, which are more than 2.5 thousand years old.

Modern medicine does not trust ancient wisdom, so special studies were carried out to find out what the usefulness of the vegetable is, what benefits the beneficial substances of the plant have on the body.


Garlic is used to treat many diseases

Studies have proven the positive effect of the vegetable for the treatment of the following diseases:

  • infection of the body by parasitic worms;
  • lack of vitamins;
  • viral and bacterial infections;
  • diseases of the cardiovascular system;
  • hypertonic disease;
  • problems with the body's protective function;
  • oncological diseases;
  • impotence;
  • blockage of veins, thrombophlebitis;
  • joint diseases.

The list of diseases goes on. At the same time, daily consumption of the vegetable improves the general condition of the skin and hair, and increases the body's resistance to infectious and colds.

American researchers have proven that the components of garlic help relieve tension in the blood vessels. Thanks to this, blood pressure decreases, the brain and all organs are saturated with oxygen.

The program “Doctor I...” will talk about the medicinal use of garlic:

How is it useful - 10 facts

Below are the top 10 scientifically proven benefits of garlic.

Rich composition

Most of the benefits of garlic come from the high content of sulfur compounds produced when the cloves are crushed or chewed. The most famous of which is allicin.

According to scientists from Germany, allicin is quickly absorbed in the lumen of the digestive tract and spreads throughout the body, providing many biological effects: from normalizing metabolism to preventing malignant neoplasms.

It is important to note that allicin is a highly unstable compound that is present primarily in fresh garlic and only for a short time after the clove is crushed or crushed.

Garlic contains many other valuable substances, vitamins and minerals. It also has a fairly high calorie content: 1 clove (about 6-8 grams) contains 42 calories.

Garlic contains sulfur compounds, which scientists believe are responsible for most of its medicinal properties. It is also rich in valuable vitamins and minerals.

Garlic is a powerful immune system stimulant.

According to an experiment by British scientists, its use for 12 weeks reduces the risk of developing acute respiratory infections by 63%.

According to experts from the USA, garlic also reduces the duration of infectious pathologies of the respiratory tract by 70%. The study found that consuming the vegetable together with the appearance of the first signs of a cold leads to a decrease in the duration of the disease from 5 to 1.5 days.

Garlic is capable of inhibiting the vital activity of a number of pathogenic microorganisms, which creates additional protection against harmful infectious agents of the external environment.

According to domestic scientists, the plant is even capable of inhibiting the reproduction of the human immunodeficiency virus.

Thus, including garlic in the diet reduces the risk of developing infectious diseases, and also reduces the duration of their course.

Studies by Indian scientists demonstrate that garlic or garlic supplements significantly reduce high blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension. The biological effect is associated with the acceleration of the formation of nitric oxide, which dilates arterial vessels.

Scientists from Australia received similar data. They found that on average, garlic reduces systolic blood pressure by 14% and diastolic blood pressure by 7-11%, provided that the plant is consumed regularly for 12 weeks.

Surprisingly, the vegetable surpasses the effect of some medicinal antihypertensive drugs. For example, 0.6-1.5 mg of garlic extract acts in the same way as the drug Atenolol.

Garlic helps lower blood pressure. The plant can be used to prevent the early development of hypertension, as well as for its treatment in conjunction with medications prescribed by the attending physician.

Atherosclerosis is an extremely dangerous disease characterized by the deposition of cholesterol in the walls of arteries and leading to many serious pathologies: coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, chronic cerebral ischemia, etc.

Recent scientific research shows that garlic is quite effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels.

According to American experts, the vegetable reduces total cholesterol, as well as the concentration of low-density lipoproteins (atherogenic fraction of cholesterol) by 10-15%.

In addition, according to Indian scientists, it reduces the content of triacylglycerides (“bad” cholesterol) in the blood.

Garlic reduces the level of total cholesterol and its atherogenic fractions (TAG and LDL), which is a means of preventing atherosclerotic vascular damage.

Free radical mechanisms lead to the destruction of cells throughout the body and cause aging. Unfortunately, the brain is most susceptible to the effects of this pathological process.

It is known that garlic contains many antioxidant substances (S-allylcysteine, S-allylmercaptocysteine, N (alpha) - fructosylarginine), which protect neurocytes from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of developing various “age-related” diseases of the central nervous system.

It has been proven that garlic reduces the likelihood of developing senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and prevents the appearance of atrophic brain pathologies caused by ischemia due to vascular spasm (with high blood pressure) or their obstruction (thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque).

Garlic is good for the brain, as it has a complex protective effect on it, reducing the risk of developing atrophic and degenerative diseases.

Garlic has been taken since ancient times to reduce the symptoms of fatigue and increase physical and mental performance.

It was noted that consuming garlic oil for 1.5 months leads to a decrease in maximum heart rate during exercise by 12%, and also causes a significant increase in overall performance.

Japanese scientists claim that the plant is a potential remedy for eliminating symptoms of fatigue.

It is recommended to consume garlic to improve mental and physical performance, as well as for additional protection of the cardiovascular system under increased stress.

The high percentage of sulfur compounds in garlic protects the body's cells from the effects of toxic heavy metals.

The work of Iranian experts demonstrates that garlic can reduce the concentration of lead in the blood by 19% and reduce the severity of symptoms of poisoning with this toxic substance (headaches, increased blood pressure, changes in tendon reflexes).

The biological effect of the vegetable exceeds the effects of D-penicillamine, a medical drug used to eliminate the symptoms of poisoning.

Garlic can reduce the severity of toxic substance poisoning.

Rodent studies show that garlic increases estrogen levels in women, which in turn slows age-related bone loss and prevents conditions such as osteoporosis and pathological bone fractures.

According to Iranian scientists, to strengthen bones, you need to consume about 2 grams of raw garlic per day for at least 1 month.

Garlic also accelerates the regeneration of damaged areas of bone or joint tissue during osteoarthritis of any etiology.

Eating garlic improves the condition of the musculoskeletal system.

Garlic is rich in antioxidant substances that protect all human cells from the effects of free radicals, toxic metabolic products and external factors.

With regular use, there is a decrease in the risk of developing cancer of the colon and rectum, oral cavity, and stomach.

Garlic reduces the risk of developing malignant tumors.

Sulfur compounds activate the enzymatic apparatus of the liver, which is responsible for the neutralization of toxic substances and their subsequent removal from the body. This property was studied in detail by scientists from Iran.

Garlic is also a means of preventing the development of toxic hepatitis caused by excessive alcohol consumption or prolonged exposure to air contaminated with heavy metals.

Why and who should not: harm and contraindications

Like any good “medicine,” garlic has limitations for use , and in some diseases, it can cause irreparable harm to a person. Why?

It should not be used by people who have:

  • diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers and other diseases in the acute or chronic phase);
  • pancreatitis;
  • anemia;
  • bladder diseases;
  • haemorrhoids;
  • allergic reaction to the product.

Harm of garlic.

Everyone knows about the unpleasant odor caused by garlic. Also, garlic is contraindicated for certain diseases. But the greatest harm is caused by the toxic substance sulfanyl-hydroxyl ion , which penetrates the brain and causes a number of extremely unpleasant consequences!

The harm of garlic is its unpleasant smell.

Everyone knows about the unpleasant odor emanating from the human mouth after eating even one small clove of garlic. In addition, garlic penetrates into the body and through the skin. For example, if you rub a head of garlic on the sole of your foot, soon your wrists will also emit a garlicky smell.

Harm of garlic for excess weight.

Garlic increases appetite, which is undesirable if you are overweight.

Harm of garlic in diseases of the stomach, liver and kidneys.

Garlic can cause serious harm in diseases of the stomach, liver and kidneys. It is contraindicated for:

  • peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum,
  • chronic gastritis,
  • other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract,
  • liver diseases,
  • kidney diseases.

Garlic is harmful to digestion.

Toxic elements contained in garlic are harmful to digestion:

  • Toxic elements corrode the walls of the stomach and disrupt the chemical processes associated with digestion.
  • For the same reason, garlic has a noticeable irritant effect on the liver and kidneys.

Harm of garlic for epilepsy.

Garlic is contraindicated for epilepsy. It can trigger an attack.

Harm of garlic for hemorrhoids.

Garlic is also contraindicated for hemorrhoids.

Harm of garlic during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Garlic is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Particularly because of the damage that garlic can cause to the brain.

Garlic is harmful to the brain.

Information about the dangers of garlic for the brain is shocking. We are too accustomed to consider garlic an exclusively healthy product. But what if this is simply a consequence of our ignorance, similar to how young mothers once bought morphine sulfate in pharmacies for their children so that they would fall asleep faster?

Garlic contains sulfanyl hydroxyl ion, which penetrates the brain and is poisonous to higher mammals. In its penetrating ability, this substance is exactly like dimethyl sulfoxide. Dr. Robert Beck made this sad discovery while he was the world leader in biofeedback equipment.

Some of his employees, who had just returned from lunch, were determined by the encephalograph to be clinically dead. When asked what was the reason for their condition, they answered: “I was in an Italian restaurant. I was served a salad with garlic sauce.” So, employees began to be observed and asked to note what happened to them when they took garlic before lectures. In 1950, Robert Back was an aircraft designer. The staff surgeon came almost every month and reminded everyone: “And don’t even try to put any food with garlic in your mouth for 72 hours before flying on our planes, because this reduces the reaction by two to three times. By eating just a little bit of garlic, you will become three times more lethargic .”

Twenty years later, when Robert Beck was already the owner of the Alpha Metrix Corporation for the production of biofeedback equipment, he discovered that garlic completely disrupts the functions of thinking. He conducted a study at Stanford, and those who took part in it unanimously concluded that garlic is poisonous. You can rub a head of garlic on the sole of your foot and soon your wrists will smell like garlic too. So it goes inside the body. This is what makes the poison contained in garlic similar to dimethyl sulfoxide fumes: sulfanyl hydroxyl ions penetrate any membranes, including the corpus callosum of the brain.

If you have friends who complain of a slight headache, inattention or absent-mindedness, if there are those among them who cannot concentrate on working with the computer after lunch, just try it and see for yourself. Advise such people to exclude garlic from their diet, and you will see how much their well-being improves. This will happen as soon as possible. Then, about three weeks later, have them eat some garlic. They will say: “My God, we could not even think that this was the cause of our suffering. »

Based on a lecture by Dr. Robert C. Beck.

Medicinal qualities, use in folk medicine

Our ancestors used garlic, both in its pure form and in the form of medicinal infusions, steamings, syrups, mixing it with equally healthy products.

During excavations in Greece, writings were discovered describing a recipe for preparing an anesthetic based on garlic juice.

Garlic tincture , which should be prepared only from fresh juice, has great beneficial properties. Take 1 small head of vegetable, peel it, chop it thoroughly, pour in 500 ml of good vodka.

Pour into a container with a tight lid and place in a warm, dark place for 21 days. In the morning and evening, the infusion must be shaken.

Then we filter the finished tincture and store it in the refrigerator. How much and how to use: 3 times a day, 15 drops diluted with a small amount of water 30 minutes before meals .

It is suitable for treating dizziness , restoring the body after illness, and helps remove kidney stones.

Copes perfectly with atherosclerosis and hypertension . It is a general strengthening and immunostimulating agent.


Garlic tincture copes with atherosclerosis and hypertension, is a general tonic and immunostimulating agent

Answers to frequently asked questions

Below are the basic rules and features of using garlic.

  1. Which option should you prefer? The best option is fresh garlic without heat treatment. Moreover, young garlic is healthier than old garlic, since it contains the highest allicin content. Pickled garlic has a reduced content of vitamins and minerals, and a number of antioxidants (including allicin) are lost almost completely. But dried garlic retains almost all macro- and microelements, vitamins, as well as allicin.
  2. Heat treatment. As mentioned above, fresh garlic is the most beneficial. Any heat treatment almost completely destroys allicin and causes a decrease in the concentration of other active substances. Only gastroenterological patients (during remission) should consume baked, boiled or stewed garlic. Fried garlic is not recommended for anyone.
  3. Daily norm and rules of admission. You can eat an average of 1-3 cloves of garlic per day, the maximum daily dosage is up to 5-6 cloves. Garlic can be eaten every day; scientific studies show no significant side effects when consumed regularly in recommended doses (1-6 cloves per day). Eating garlic on an empty stomach in the morning can provoke the development of diseases of the stomach and duodenum. Taking even one clove at night can cause short-term overload of the digestive system and disrupt sleep (you must eat it no later than 1-2 hours before bedtime).
  4. Is it possible to swallow a clove whole? No! Swallowing a whole clove of garlic can cause local damage to the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum, as well as disrupt the functioning of the sphincters. In addition, the maximum concentration of allicin is observed during chewing.
  5. Comparison with a bow. Onions and garlic have almost the same set of beneficial properties, as they belong to the same genus. However, garlic tends to produce more toxic by-products in the body.
  6. Applications of plant stems. Garlic stems are rich in water and fiber, and also contain a large amount of vitamin C. It is recommended to consume the stems in their pure form (without heat treatment) for maximum benefits.
  7. Application of tincture. Garlic tincture is usually prepared from cloves or garlic arrows and is used to improve immunity (during epidemics of viral infections of the upper respiratory system), for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, and also to improve the emotional background. It has been proven that the alcohol tincture also has pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

The health benefits of garlic for men and women

Eating garlic with food has a beneficial effect on the human body, and for men it is an ideal food product.

The plant can increase the level of testosterone , the main male hormone responsible for the normal functioning of the male body, bone strength and muscle mass building.

Regular consumption of garlic reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer by half.

The product has a positive effect on potency . The onion component selenium improves reproductive function by enhancing sperm activity.

That is, with its help, the disease can not only be prevented, but also completely cured.

If you eat one large clove of garlic once a day, the risk of developing malignant tumors in the uterus and mammary glands is reduced.

Young plant bulbs are an excellent cosmetic product that allows you to preserve youth and beauty. Our ancestors rubbed garlic juice into the scalp, thereby preventing hair loss.

The properties of garlic will be revealed in the “About the Most Important” program:

Liver and garlic consumption


Very often, people use garlic as a liver cleanser.
However, if its operation is disrupted, it is strictly contraindicated. Tubers can not only cause tissue disruption, but also lead to internal bleeding and intoxication of the body. There are rare cases where an allergy to garlic occurs. Most often, up to a certain point, a person calmly eats this vegetable without visible harm, but at one point the body’s defenses weaken. Incomprehensible symptoms begin, from headaches to diarrhea and even suffocation.

How much should you eat and in what form?

What does garlic do more - harm or benefit? The same question can be asked when using any medicine, herbal infusion or decoction.

Thanks to its unique composition, this herbaceous vegetable is a unique product that can cope with a large number of diseases.

Its use (with honey, as a tincture, fried) will bring maximum benefit if you limit yourself to 2-3 cloves per day .

And do not use it raw if you have at least one of the diseases from the list of restrictions.

How to choose and store garlic

Of course, such garlic, grown with your own hands, can in no way be compared with purchased garlic. But not everyone has this opportunity. When choosing a vegetable store, pay attention to their density, size and appearance. Soft, damaged garlic heads, dark spots and rotten areas do more harm than good . You should also avoid sprouted garlic with piercing green arrows, as it reduces the concentration of nutrients.

Store garlic in a cool, dark place to prolong its life. A basement, cellar or balcony is suitable for this. You can store vegetables in the refrigerator for about a month and then start molding. The product can be frozen, allowing it to be stored for six months. You can also pickle garlic, because thanks to this processing it is easy to preserve all the benefits of the product.

History of garlic

This is one of the oldest vegetable crops. Mentioned already in 2600 BC on Sumerian clay tablets. Garlic was considered a magical plant and was used to save crops from pests. According to Egyptian legend, the pharaoh introduced a portion of garlic into the daily diet of the slaves who built the pyramids to maintain their physical strength. The Greeks used garlic with honey to treat lung disease and also to improve male fertility. In Rome, legionnaires wore garlic on their chests as a talisman and used it as an antibacterial and antiparasitic agent. In Europe, garlic was considered a magical and medicinal plant; it was used to treat the plague and to fight evil spirits. The first scientific study of garlic, carried out in the mid-19th century by Pasteur, proved the antibacterial properties of the vegetable - microbes did not grow in the areas around the cloves. Garlic solution was used to fight infections during the First World War. The vegetable was brought to Rus' already in the 9th century.

Benefits of garlic

Garlic contains many useful substances: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins B and C, selenium, manganese, iodine and essential oils. At the same time, garlic is quite a high-calorie product - 100 g contains 149 kcal. But this spicy vegetable is consumed in small quantities and it will not harm your figure. However, garlic increases appetite.

Garlic contains phytoncides - volatile substances that protect the plant from parasites and bacteria. When phytoncides are consumed as food, bactericidal, antiparasitic and antifungal effects are observed. The study found that a group of people who regularly consumed garlic caught colds three times less often than those who did not eat garlic at all.

Garlic has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Regular consumption of this vegetable helps stimulate hematopoiesis, and also reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The risk of thrombosis and blood viscosity are reduced. The condition of the blood vessels affects the ability to absorb oxygen, endurance and the rate of blood flow to the organs, so garlic affects the sexual function of men. In addition, this vegetable promotes the production of the male sex hormone testosterone.

The effect of garlic on the cardiovascular and circulatory system


Before consuming garlic, you should know its effect on blood vessels.
The hot active substances that the vegetable is full of can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system. Garlic in large quantities is harmful and can cause:

  • dizziness;
  • arrhythmia;
  • headache;
  • tachycardia.


It is especially dangerous for people with blood pressure problems. Many people wonder whether hearts can eat garlic. For such patients, this vegetable is strictly prohibited, both raw and cooked.

Garlic is one of the few vegetables that contains about 28% ascorbic acid.

For which diseases should you not eat garlic?

  • varicose veins;

  • thrombophlebitis;
  • pathology of the coronary arteries;
  • problems with blood vessels.

You should also remember that garlic has a great effect on the blood, thinning it. It is this ability that can cause internal bleeding in people with arterial hypertension.

In its raw form, it has antiplatelet properties. Therefore, it can cause bleeding. Also, scientific research confirms that eating seven heads of garlic per day can cause internal bleeding. Patients taking blood thinners are at risk for negative effects. During the course of treatment, it is better to avoid raw vegetables altogether.

Garlic can also cause fluctuations in blood pressure and its danger can occur during operations. Therefore, 14 days before the planned procedure, it is recommended to exclude garlic in any form from the diet.

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