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PAKU VIEWS
ISSUE 4 AUTUMN/WINTER 2012
TAIRUA’S NATURAL RESOURCE FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE!
DELICIOUS FRESH SOUPS
...star�ng in May
MAIN ST • TAIRUA • P: 07 864 7080
Fresh Fruit & Veges
Organic & Gluten Free Foods
Smoothies & Ice Creams
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9:30-3:00 except Tuesday
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Garlic:
A nickel will get you on the
subway, but garlic will get
you a seat
– Old Jewish Proverb
This ancient
bulb fends
off more than
vampires!
K
nown as one of the oldest known horticultural
crops in the Old World, it was hailed as one of the
most powerful remedies of all time. Garlic, more than
any other food fits into Hippocrates’ description of an
ideal food,–that which is both super-nutritious and a
miracle medicine.
This pungent relative of the lily and onion not only
spices up your spaghetti dinner–it is a cornerstone
of herbal medicine. One of the best infection fighters,
targeting both bacteria and viruses, garlic is also good
for fending off many parasites (besides vampires),
keeping your heart and liver healthy, and warding off
coughs and colds.
Medicinal use has quite a history. Garlic’s first mention
goes back to India five thousand year ago. It was
used during the many pestilences that have occurred
throughout history as a protective medicine. It was
worshipped by ancient Egyptians, who listed 22
ailments it could take on. Pyramid laborers, Roman
legions, and Greek Olympians were all fed garlic to
increase their strength, courage, and stamina.
Even the blood of garlic eaters can kill bacteria; and it
is reported that the vapor from freshly cut garlic can
kill bacteria at a distance of 8 inches!
Louis Pasteur, the forefather of antibiotic medicine,
acknowledged garlic to be as effective as penicillin,
and late studies showed similar activity to a more
modern antibiotic, chloramphenicol. And this natural
antibioticlic does not appear to create resistant
bacterial strains.
This little bulb doesn’t stop there either. Garlic may be
particularly effective in treating upper respiratory viral
infections due to its immune-enhancing properties and
its ability to clear mucous from the lungs. It destroys
and/or inhibits various bacteria and fungi, with an
antibacterial action equivalent to 1% penicillin. Garlic
is also effective against strep, staph, and even anthrax
bacteria.
The Garlic Information Center of Great Britain says:
“Garlic is the only antibiotic that can actually kill
infecting bacteria and at the same time protect the
body from the poisons that are causing the infection.
It is known that the most sensitive bacterium to garlic
is the deadly Bacillus anthracis, which produces the
poison anthrax.”
Garlic also stimulates the immune system by activating
macrophages which engulf foreign organisms. It
increases the activity of the T-helper cells, those
immune cells which are central to the activity of the
entire immune system.
Who knew such a tiny bulb could be capable of doing
so much? Capitalize even more on it’s medicinal
strength by letting it sit for ten minutes after chopping
or crushing it. This allows the enzymes to start
working on your behalf by turning the bulb’s alliin into
the potent substance allicin. Research has shown that
immediate microwaving or boiling without using this
synergistic approach, may result in the loss of the
allicin’s potency, as will contact with very low-acid
ingredients like lemon juice.
Like many herbs, raw is best. So savor garlic’s joys
and benefits in your cooking tonight, but go raw when
using it medicinally. And don’t worry, it needn’t give
you bad breath! Try to neutralize by chewing 2-3
coffee beans or a few grains of cumin and anise.
Another option is to eat an apple or chew a few leaves
of parsley.
Don’t enjoy the taste? The local chemists always carry
a good supply of garlic pearls to help protect you and
your immune system year round.
Place chopped garlic in a glass jar. Put twice the
amount of vodka or vinegar as garlic into the jar. Let sit
for two weeks in dark place, shaking or stirring daily.
Then strain off liquid; this is the tincture, which you
will keep.
Pour your garlic tincture into small dark colored glass
bottles (the kind with dropper is best). Label the bottle
“garlic tincture” with date of preparation. Tinctures can
last several years when stored in a cool, dark place.
(For a variation try this: Finely chop 2 cloves, then
pour 250 ml vodka, 250g honey, 250ml olive oil. After
the two weeks, take a sip every morning on empty
stomach.)
Garlic Tincture Uses and Dosage
Shake well before use. Garlic tincture can be used
externally for the treatment of viral skin infections
(athlete’s foot), wounds, or ulcers. Garlic tincture
can also be used orally as a natural remedy for flu,
viruses, strep, worms, respiratory ailments, high
blood pressure, colds, kidney problems, bladder
problems, or ear aches when taken orally. Adults can
take as much as 5 drops, 4 times per day.
Read more: How to Make Garlic Tincture:
Home Remedies for Raw Garlic
- To cure ear infections wrap a small slice of garlic
in some tissue and insert into your ear.
- To cure scratchy throats suck a little piece of garlic
for five minutes.
- To cure warts, crush fresh garlic and apply until
they disappear.
Fresh Garlic
Extract
Tincture
Makeyour own:
Other herbal infection fighters to research include
echinacea (with sturdy purple daisy like flowers...grow
your own!), pau d’arco, suma, astragalus root and perilla.
You may also see these in synergistic combinations.
Of course, you don’t want to take chances with your own
health by experimenting. Queries? Check with your health
practitioner or our local naturopath, Gwyn Warren, who
specialises in natural and homeopathic remedies.