Bawang or Garlic (Allium sativum). Garlic has been a medicine in many cultures for thousands of years. This herb is one of the most widely used herbal medicines in the Philippines.Its medicinal properties have been proven during World War II when it was used to treat wounds and infections of soldiers. Garlic’s antibacterial compound known as allicin, prevented the wounds from being infected and developing into gangrene by extracting the juice of bawang or garlic and applying to the wounds.
Bawang or garlic is know as nature's antibiotic. Its juices inhibit the growth of fungi and viruses thus, prevent viral, yeast, and infections. This medicinal herb showed some positive results in the treatment of AIDS. Several clinical tests that followed and published studies have shown the efficacy of garlic in lowering cholesterol in the blood and is beneficial to the circulatory system of the body. Today, as more research is done on garlic, more medicinal and therapeutic properties become more evident. As of the present time, lowering of the blood pressure, reduction of platelet aggregation, and the boosting of fibrinolytic activities are among the list of herbal functions of garlic, which is supported by medical findings. Although more clinical studies are needed to support the contention stronger, marked improvements in benign breast diseases have been traced to make progress because of the regular intake of supplements, of which the primary ingredient is garlic.
The department of Heath has endoresed garlic as one of the top ten Philippine herbs with therapeutic value.
Garlic is rich in antioxidants, which help destroy free radicals -- particles that can damage cell membranes, interact with genetic material, and possibly contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of conditions, including heart disease and cancer. Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, cigarette smoke, and air pollution) can also increase the number of these damaging particles. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause over time.
Health Benefits of Bawang-Garlic:
• Good for the heart
• Helps lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL)
• Aids in lowering blood pressure
• Remedy for arteriosclerosis
• May help prevent certain types of cancer
• Boosts immune system to fight infection
• With antioxidant & antibacterial properties
• Cough and cold remedy
• Relives sore throat
• Aids in the treatment of tuberculosis
• Helps relieve rheumatism pain
• Relief of toothaches
• Kills skin fungus i.e. athlete’s foot
• With anticoagulant properties
- Cancer (colorectal malignancies & gastric cancer)
- Bledding cases (surgeries & dental activities)
Preparation of Bawang-Garlic:
• For disinfecting wound, crush and juice the garlic bulb and apply. You may cover the afflicted area with a gauze and bandage.
• For sore throat, peal the skin and chew for several minutes. Swallow the juice.
• For toothaches, crush then bite garlic.
• For athlete’s foot, soak feet in salty water then apply garlic juice. Do this 3X day for a week.
• Cloves of garlic may be crushed and applied to affected areas to reduce the pain caused by arthritis, toothache, headache, and rheumatism.
• Decoction of the bawang bulbs and leaves are used as treatment for fever.
• For nasal congestion, steam and inhale: vinegar, chopped garlic, and water.
- Juice extracted from garlic bulbs can be used as tick and mosquito repellant when applied to skin.
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