From ear infections to sore throats! Garlic is a powerful natural antiviral and here are all its antibacterial uses
What comes to mind when you read the word "garlic"? Other than keeping vampires away, certainly, the first association of ideas is with the kitchen!
Garlic is, in fact, an ingredient widely used in flavoring different dishes, in both its fresh and dehydrated versions.
However, if we move away from the culinary context, it turns out that this plant also has extraordinarily beneficial health properties, as it is very effective as a natural antibacterial and antiviral agent.
Here is why and in what ways garlic can be invaluable to our health.
Garlic, as well as onions, leeks, and chives, contains a molecule called allicin that has an important protective function against the development of cancer cells.
The high presence of antioxidants, such as tocopherols and flavonoids, also contribute to counteracting damages caused by free radicals.
Other healthy substances are saponins, obviously abundant in garlic, which help to keep bad cholesterol under control and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
All the benefits just listed have been more or less known for a long time, however, according to a study carried out by the Institute for Health and Nutrition Research, in Ethiopia, garlic would have scientifically proven healing qualities against infections such as colds, coughs, ear infections, and pneumonia.
The main pathogen responsible for pneumonia, which is a respiratory tract disease, is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Garlic has been used against this bacterium with excellent results.
Although research is still at an early stage, from the first data collected, it would seem that garlic, a purely natural ingredient can really help to combat some common diseases and strengthen the immune system.
In addition, garlic can be used to make ear drops for the treatment of middle ear infections. If you want to prepare a homemade garlic-based remedy, you only need 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and 5 peeled garlic cloves.
The procedure is as follows: Briefly, heat the coconut oil and add the olive oil and the crushed garlic cloves. Mix and leave to rest for half an hour. The compound can be stored in a glass jar, previously sterilized.
The use of this compound is topical, that is to say, it must be applied if necessary on a specific area, such as rubbing it on the chest in case of coughs, on the nostrils for colds, and placing a drop in the ear in case of otitis.
Before using this compound, it is advisable to consult your doctor to make sure that there are no particular contraindications or precautions for its use.
