Garlic: trick or treat? Treat! And a good defense against germ goblins

Better Nutrition, Oct, 1996 by Patricia Andersen-Parrado

If you drop cloves of garlic into the bags of your trick-or-treaters this Halloween, they will surely think that they are being tricked. However, if they knew of all the "evil" ailments that garlic can ward off, they would certainly be grateful for receiving such a treat.

Given the ghostly ancient legends surrounding garlic, it would indeed seem to be an appropriate Halloween treat.

In his book, Garlic: The Miracle Nutrient, Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., tells us that garlic was used by the ancient Romans, Egyptians, Greeks, and Israelites to "ward off evil," and that some cultures believed that garlic had the power to ward off vampires, as well.

Ancient medicinal uses of garlic

Mindell also tells us about some of garlic's ancient medicinal uses, which are still believed to be beneficial. He says, "The earliest written medical records contain detailed accounts of how garlic was used to prevent and treat disease. Garlic has been used medicinally for at least 4,000 years. It is mentioned more than 20 times in an ancient Egyptian medical papyrus called the Codex Ebers (c. 1550 B.C.), which recommended it as a remedy for heart problems, tumors, headaches, worms, and bites."

Garlic as an immune booster

Another one of garlic's well-known medicinal values is its immune-boosting capabilities. With cold and flu season right around the corner, we all can use an "immunity-booster."

In his book, The Healing Benefits of Garlic, John Heinerman, Ph.D., tells us that colds and flu rank as the most prevalent infectious diseases around." His first recommendation for defense against these enemies is to get enough sleep.

His second recommendation, however, invokes us to liberally make use of garlic and garlic preparations. He provides many examples supportive of garlic's medicinal reputation, including recounting a flu epidemic which struck many parts of the Soviet Union in 1965 during which the government flew in an emergency supply of garlic; and recalling the success reported by J. Klosa, M.D., in the March 1950 edition of Medical Monthly on the success he had using a combination of garlic and onion in treating cold symptoms.

More recently, a study published in the Chinese Medical Journal explored the anti-viral activity of garlic extract on human cytomegalovirus (a member of the herpes group of viruses). The researchers concluded that the clinical use of garlic against such a virus is most effective when use persistently, and that, in immmunocompromised patients, it should be used as a preventive.

Antibiotics: immune suppressants?

Typically, antibiotics have been handed out in cases of bacterial and viral infections alike, even though they are useless for the latter. They should, however, only be prescribed when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, they may cause more harm than good by allowing the bacteria they are designed to destroy develop a resistance against them. Researchers from the University of Kentucky performed a study which proved just this.

The study, entitled, "Antibiotics and upper respiratory infection: do some folks think there is cure for the common cold?" was published in the April 1996 issue of the Journal of Family Practice. In the study, 1,439 individuals made 2,171 separate outpatient and emergency department visits for colds.

The researchers concluded that most people who receive medical care for colds in the Unite States are given prescriptions for unnecessary antibiotics at an estimated collective cost of $37.5 million. They determined that, if left unchecked, the practice of prescribing unnecessary antibiotic will lead to greater antibiotic resistance and unnecessary use of healthcare resources. Determine through consultation with your healthcare practitioner, if antibiotics are the only resort and explore natural alternatives, if possible.

So, to ward off the sniffles this season, treat yourself to some garlic - it just may do the trick.

REFERENCES

Guo, N.L., et al. "Demonstration of the anti-viral activity of garlic extract against human cytomegalovirus in vitro," Chinese Medical Journal 106(2):93-96, 1993. Heinerman, John, Ph.D. The Healing Benefits of Garlic. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1994. Mainous, A.G., et al. "Antibiotics and upper respiratory infection: do some folks think there is a cure for the common cold?" Journal of Family Practice 42(4):357-61, 1996. Mindell, Earl, R.Ph., Ph.D. Garlic: The Miracle Nutrient. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1994.