Top 10 Uses of Garlic

Just like people, vegetables too have the effect of attraction or repulsion in us – till we find out their uses that changes our perception about them. The pungent smelling garlic is no exception. The strong taste and the ghastly smell is a definite put-off but once you come to know its uses; varied uses; you’ll start thinking that garlic is not such a bad guy after all.

Garlic (Allium Sativum) belongs to the onion and leek family. The active compound in garlic is Allicin that is released when you chop garlic. Did you know that garlic was rarely used in English cuisine although in the Mediterranean side it was quite popular even amongst the ancient Greeks and Egyptians?

Health and Beauty

This is a popular use of garlic that you have probably heard of umpteen times before. Rubbing a raw garlic clove helps you bid adieu of pesky acne. It has blood cleansing properties, keeps digestive tract healthy and is an effective antibiotic too. Garlic prevents cancer, keeps cold at bay, helps keeping a healthy heart and is good for the liver. Garlic works on itchy skin and fungal infections as well.

Mosquitoes and Fleas

You can put garlic cloves at your bedside or rub their juice on your skin to repel mosquitoes. Ticks and fleas also run away from garlic so you can rub garlic juice on your pets as well. If you don’t want your pet to sport that foul smell you can ensure that you include small amount of garlic in your pets’ diet.

Pesticide

Garlic also makes good green pesticide. It’s eco friendly and quite effective too for warding off white flies, cabbage loopers and other irritating pests. All you have to do is to mix garlic with pepper and soap to protect your veggies.

Disinfectant

Mix chopped garlic with vinegar and lemon juice for an effective disinfectant or cleaner.

Fishing Bait

You can try this one next time you go fishing. Coat those marshmallows liberally with crushed garlic. (Apparently this makes fishing easier.)

Adhesive

Garlic works on paper and even glass. You can use the juice as glue.

Aphrodisiac

Just like cardamom, garlic too is an aphrodisiac. Such a difference between the two! Garlic helps blood circulation and hence the effect, so they say. If garlic breath worries you then you can drink some lemon juice to cure it.

Melting Snow

You can use garlic salt to thaw ice from your passages or roadsides in winters. In fact, in 2008; in Ankeny, Iowa, garlic salt donated by spice producer Tone Brothers Inc. was used to melt snow and ice in the Des Moines suburb.

Removing Splinters

Cut a piece of garlic and put it on the splinter. The splinter will come out on its own but it will take a few hours.

Warding Off Evil Spirits

Garlic is supposed to defend you from evil spirits and even vampires. Forget about garlic juice, some people hang a garland of garlic on their windows to protect them from demons.

With so many benefits, don’t overdo the garlic in your diet. Take it in moderation and enjoy this versatile medicinal plant.

The Author:

Angelica Tara

Photo. Denise Husted