Even though it has an unpleasant smell, it turns out that garlic has many benefits.
Garlic has a pungent smell, and is good in certain dishes, but is there more to it? Why is it so often considered a great, healthy herb? Well, for one, it has the vital chemical compound allicin, which is an excellent therapeutic ingredient with many medicinal qualities. Allicin contains sulfur, which gives the herb its pungent savor and a peculiar smell. The health benefits of garlic are innumerable.
Try garlic for these unexpected health benefits, who-knew beauty uses, and hidden home repairs.
1. Prevents & Treats Cold
Packed with antioxidants, a daily dose of garlic in your recipes could benefit your immune system. If a cold does sneak by, try sipping garlic tea. Steep chopped or minced garlic in hot water for several minutes, then strain and drink. You can add a bit of honey or ginger to improve the taste.
Packed with antioxidants, a daily dose of garlic in your recipes could benefit your immune system. If a cold does sneak by, try sipping garlic tea. Steep chopped or minced garlic in hot water for several minutes, then strain and drink. You can add a bit of honey or ginger to improve the taste.
2. Control Your Weight
Good news, garlic could help you control your weight. Research cites a study that showed mice eating a garlic-rich diet reduced their weight and fat stores. To take advantage of this benefit, try to cook with garlic daily.
Good news, garlic could help you control your weight. Research cites a study that showed mice eating a garlic-rich diet reduced their weight and fat stores. To take advantage of this benefit, try to cook with garlic daily.
3. Relieve Itchy Foot
With its anti-fungal properties, some people swear that a benefit of garlic is its ability to relieve itchy feet. Soak your feet in a bath of warm water and crushed garlic.
With its anti-fungal properties, some people swear that a benefit of garlic is its ability to relieve itchy feet. Soak your feet in a bath of warm water and crushed garlic.
4. Grow Beautiful Hair
Garlic could end your hair loss problems because of its high levels of allicin, a sulfur compound similar to that found in onions, which was found to effectively treat hair loss. Rub sliced garlic cloves on your scalp, squeezing as you go for the most benefit. You can also infuse the oil with garlic and massage it into your scalp. In addition to preventing hair loss, using garlic like this also acts as one of the most effective dandruff remedies out there.
Garlic could end your hair loss problems because of its high levels of allicin, a sulfur compound similar to that found in onions, which was found to effectively treat hair loss. Rub sliced garlic cloves on your scalp, squeezing as you go for the most benefit. You can also infuse the oil with garlic and massage it into your scalp. In addition to preventing hair loss, using garlic like this also acts as one of the most effective dandruff remedies out there.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
5. Relieves Ear Aches
Garlic is commonly used for curing earaches, as it has several antiviral, antifungal, and antibiotic properties. Its oil can be made at home by squeezing the juice of its cloves and adding it to olive oil. The mixture should be kept at room temperature for a few days, but shouldn’t be saved indefinitely if made at home.
Garlic is commonly used for curing earaches, as it has several antiviral, antifungal, and antibiotic properties. Its oil can be made at home by squeezing the juice of its cloves and adding it to olive oil. The mixture should be kept at room temperature for a few days, but shouldn’t be saved indefinitely if made at home.
6. Keep Away Mosquitoes
Scientists aren't sure why, but mosquitoes don't like garlic. A doctor found that people who rubbed a garlicky concoction on their arms and legs weren't bothered by the pesky buggers. Make a solution of garlic oil, petroleum jelly, and beeswax for a natural repellant, or place cloves of garlic nearby.
Scientists aren't sure why, but mosquitoes don't like garlic. A doctor found that people who rubbed a garlicky concoction on their arms and legs weren't bothered by the pesky buggers. Make a solution of garlic oil, petroleum jelly, and beeswax for a natural repellant, or place cloves of garlic nearby.
7. Soothe Psoriasis
One of the most surprising garlic benefits is that it can improve your skin. Since garlic has proven anti-inflammatory properties, it could be useful in relieving uncomfortable psoriasis outbreaks. Try rubbing a little garlic oil on the affected area for smooth, rash-free skin.
One of the most surprising garlic benefits is that it can improve your skin. Since garlic has proven anti-inflammatory properties, it could be useful in relieving uncomfortable psoriasis outbreaks. Try rubbing a little garlic oil on the affected area for smooth, rash-free skin.
8. Plants Protections
Garden pests don't like garlic. So, make a natural pesticide using garlic, mineral oil, water, and liquid soap. Pour into a spray bottle and mist your plants to keep away destructive critters.
Garden pests don't like garlic. So, make a natural pesticide using garlic, mineral oil, water, and liquid soap. Pour into a spray bottle and mist your plants to keep away destructive critters.
9. Acne
It might not be a main ingredient in your drugstore acne medication, but garlic makes a great natural remedy to banish unsightly blemishes. Its antioxidants kill bacteria, so rub a sliced clove of garlic on the pimple for an effective topical treatment.
It might not be a main ingredient in your drugstore acne medication, but garlic makes a great natural remedy to banish unsightly blemishes. Its antioxidants kill bacteria, so rub a sliced clove of garlic on the pimple for an effective topical treatment.