Garlic! How Can You Not LOVE Garlic! · Garden Apothecary Academy

Garlic! How Can You Not LOVE Garlic!

We are in the heat of summer, but cooler weather will be here shortly and so will garlic planting season!

Garlic takes a long time to mature, so if you are planning on growing some of your own, now is the time to order your cloves.

Even if you don't grow garlic yourself, you should definitely have this herb in your tool box!

Garlic isn’t just something you toss into spaghetti sauce for extra flavor—it’s one of the oldest medicinal plants in human history. This humble bulb has been used for thousands of years to fight off colds, heal wounds, and, if folklore is to be believed, keep everything from vampires to evil spirits at bay.

The Medicinal Benefits of Garlic

1. Immune System Support

Garlic is famous for helping the body fight off colds and infections. Modern research shows that allicin, the compound that gives garlic its strong smell, also gives it antimicrobial powers. Studies have found that people who regularly eat garlic may have fewer colds and recover faster when they do catch one.

2. Heart Health

Regular garlic consumption can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The sulfur compounds in garlic appear to relax blood vessels and improve circulation—basically helping your heart work smarter, not harder.

3. Natural Antibiotic

Before antibiotics were bottled and sold at the pharmacy, garlic was the go-to remedy for bacterial and fungal infections. Even today, it’s valued for its antimicrobial properties—something herbalists still take seriously.

4. Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant

Garlic has been shown to help reduce inflammation and protect cells from oxidative stress, which is linked to aging and chronic disease.

5. Blood Sugar Support

Some studies suggest garlic may help regulate blood sugar levels, which is good news for people looking to support healthy metabolism.

References:

Rahman, K. (2007). "Garlic and Cardiovascular Disease: A Critical Review." Journal of Nutrition, 137(3), 703S–705S.
Rivlin, R. S. (2001). "Historical Perspective on the Use of Garlic." Journal of Nutrition, 131(3s), 951S–954S.
Ankri, S., & Mirelman, D. (1999). "Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic." Microbes and Infection, 1(2), 125–129.
Banerjee, S. K., & Maulik, S. K. (2002). "Effect of garlic on cardiovascular disorders: a review." Nutrition Journal, 1, 4.