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IT'S VAMPIRE SEASON!
Recently, my friend Richard forwarded me a picture of a bounty of garlic bulbs that he had harvested. I have always been fascinated by the medicinal value of herbs, especially garlic (and its mythical effect on warding off blood-thirsty vampires), and I decided to follow up with some of its benefits for human health for the newsletter.
Garlic (Allium sativum), a species of bulbous flowering plant in the genus Allium, has a rich history that spans several thousand years of human consumption and use. It is native to South Asia, Central Asia, and northeastern Iran , and was known to ancient Egyptians. This humble yet powerful ingredient has been used as a seasoning worldwide and as a traditional medicine. China produced 73% of the world's supply of garlic in 2021, with most of the pre-shelled garlic found in a grocery store being from China and processed by prison labor.
Garlic, a humble yet powerful ingredient, offers a plethora of health benefits. To fully harness these benefits, it is best eaten raw or lightly sauteed following the ten-minute rule. This unique method involves letting crushed or chopped garlic sit for that period or sautéing it in olive oil for less than a minute before consumption, activating the Allicin, the compound responsible for raw garlic's 'hot' sensation. Cooking garlic removes allicin, thus mellowing its spiciness and probably reducing its nutraceutical benefits.
Unfortunately, most studies have used supplements with little or no allicin. Allicin is an unstable compound and cannot be put in pill form. A cross-study of 73 papers on garlic showed a moderate reduction in total cholesterol and triglycerides. There was also a significant reduction in platelet aggregation, making them less sticky and thus reducing the risk of blockage of the coronary arteries. Effects on the blood pressure and blood glucose levels had a marginal effect.
Allicin may have an anti-viral effect, and the fresh chopped bulb is used extensively in folk medicine. One of the remedies I recommended for the common cold to my patients (and yes, there is no allopathic treatment for a viral upper respiratory infection) is to chop a couple of cloves of garlic, a ½ inch of fresh ginger ( anti-inflammatory), and chug it down with an ounce of orange juice (Vitamin C). Repeat this two to three times a day and try to avoid friends and loved ones!
Mehernosh Khan MD/BOH Richmond
On behalf of Richmond Board of Health
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