Garlic ---Medicine for Heart

Garlic is an essential ingredient in curry. It is a boon for our health. Garlic can keep the heart healthy. Scientists at the University of Alabama in Birmingham states that garlic boosts the body's ability to produce a compound called allicin. The compound allicin has the following properties:

1. Relaxes blood vessels.
2. Increases blood flow.
3. Prevents blood clot.
4. Prevents oxidative damage.

Scientists state that allicin which is broken down into foul-smelling sulphur causes tainted breath. It reacts with red blood cells and produces hydrogen sulphide and relazes blood vessels and keeps blood flowing easily.

The test was done first on rats. Crushed garlic juice was injected in the blood vessel of rats. The results are striking. The tension within the vessels is reduced by 72%. The researchers found that RBC exposed to garlic juice started emitting hydrogen sulphide. On further experiment, it was found that chemical reaction took place mainly on the surface of the blood vessels. It plays a vital role in helping cells communicate with each other. This compound stimulated the cells that form the lining of the vessels to dilate. So this reduced blood pressure allowing the blood to carry more oxygen to essential organs and reduced the pressure of the heart.

Dr. David Kraus opined that the garlic in the diet is very good for the human body. In Mediterranean and the Far East, garlic consumption is high. There is low coincidence of cardiovascular disease. It is important to know that the large amounts in supplement may interact with blood thinning drugs and thereby increase the risk of bleeding.

Garlic was respected by the Egyptians in ancient times. They placed clay models of garlic bulbs in tomb of Tutankhamen. Garlic was so highly priced that it was even used as a currency.