Garlic (bulb) – Allium sativum

A wonderful superfood used for centuries to boost the immune system and fight infection, viruses and bacteria.  Garlic contains vitamins C and B6, manganese, selenium and other antioxidants (notably allicin). I usually find it best to use garlic in its dried but fresh form (also known as ‘wet’ or ‘green’ Garlic) as sold in the supermarkets when seeking medicinal benefits rather than taking the powder supplements sold at many health shops. The chemical process used to turn Garlic into a powder reduces the medicinal effects considerably because the potent medicinal chemical allicin (the smelly bit) is taken out, so there’s no point in having odourless Garlic capsules.

Health benefits of Garlic:

• Antibiotic and antiseptic: When eaten raw, either regularly or at onset of infection
• Antioxidant: May prevent some cancers, particularly stomach cancer
• Reduces cholesterol and reduces high blood pressure
• Antifungal: Neat garlic juice applied to affected areas
• Circulatory stimulant: Improves circulation, thins the blood and strengthens the heart
• Decongestant: Infused oil aids the respiratory system and reduces asthma attacks and hayfever, also ear problems
• Cleanses the digestive tract and encourages healthy bowel flora
• Anti-inflammatory
• Boosts immune system: Due to the antimicrobial action, use Garlic oil, eat raw or use Garlic Syrup internally for boosting immunity and  externally on wounds, bites, cuts and grazes to heal them faster.
• Reduces blood sugar levels for diabeties and hypoglycaemia
• Detoxification(particularly the liver and gallbladder)

Fresh Garlic Paste Recipe – One of my kitchen staples!

Crush or blend or chop up very small the garlic bulbs depending on how you like your garlic. Add the Apple Cider vinegar and Olive oil and mix this all together. Put the mixture into a glass jar or jam jar and label it accordingly.  I keep this in the fridge and add it to my food where necessary. It goes in soups, on salads, in my smoothies and I often pop it in most of my cooking. Rather than buying the pre-prepared versions from the shops it’s very quick and easy to make your own. I usually use:

Roughly 2/3 peeled bulbs of garlic – Not cloves!

Approx 1 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar

Approx 1-2 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil