Healthy Living:Medicinal and Culinary Use of Garlic (Aayu)

Garlic is a perennial flowering plant growing from a bulb. The bulb is odoriferous and contains outer layers of thin sheathing leaves surrounding an inner sheath that encloses the clove.

Garlic produces a chemical called allicin. This is what seems to make garlic work for certain disease conditions. Allicin gives garlic it’s unique characteristic smell.Garlic is an especially important and ubiquitous herb. It is native to Central Asia and Northeastern Iran but are easily available worldwide.

Garlic with it’s strong smell has medicinal, culinary and sacred uses.

Medicinal Use Garlic is a very potent herb in treatment and control of heart and blood vessels disease conditions.

It is readily available fresh or as supplement.Taking garlic supplements may reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in people with high levels of these blood lipids. If it does, the effect is small, and it may take more than 8 weeks before noting any improvement.

Epidemiologic studies suggest a blend of garlic, onions, shallots, chives, and leeks lower risks of certain cancers, particularly gastrointestinal cancers.Garlic supplements may be helpful for high blood pressure.Garlic may be used topically (applied to the skin).Culinary use

An exceptionally good seasoning in cooking especially meat. When added to beef, it gives the cooking a pleasant savory smell.