Gramma's Medicine Cabinet: Garlic, the new miracle drug? Very possibly true!

For Where There Are No Doctors and Often, Where There Are

I grew up in a remote area where doctors were few and far between. More often than not, illness and injuries were treated using traditional folk remedies and nature’s medicines that grew at our doorstep.

Due to the increasing number of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria, microbes and virus, a functional knowledge of indigenous medicines may prove to be a valuable asset in the coming years. This is one of many reasons I believe it is important to expand on and pass along knowledge of nature’s medicines and home care… Gramma’s Medicine Cabinet is a place to share this knowledge.

Because of the nature of this information, a disclaimer is necessary. Too many people think that because a remedy is ‘only’ a common herb it cannot be harmful. Worse yet, that “if a little will do some good, a lot should be better”. Both assumptions are wrong and dangerously so.

Disclaimer

The beliefs and home remedies set forth in this publication are anecdotal and are not intended to be used in place of seeking proper medical treatment. The author and publisher disclaim any and all liability in connection with the application and or use of any information offered herein. The reader should use caution when trying these or any historic or home remedy! Allergies and reactions to the treatments and herbs used may occur in sensitive individuals. You should always consult your personal physician prior to use of any herbal remedy to be sure there are no contraindications in your specific condition or with any other herbal treatments or medications you may be currently taking. Herbs can and do react with over the counter and prescribed drugs as well as other herbs and extracts. They are strong medicine and should be approached with the caution and respect due any healing drug.

Please note: all articles, photos and illustrations used in my posts are my own work, unless otherwise stated, and all are copyrighted. Permission is required for copying and/or use elsewhere.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Garlic, the new miracle drug? Very possibly true!

As a culinary herb and medicine, garlic has a long and respectable track record. It has been cultivated and used for thousands of years. History's greats such as Pliny the Elder (23 - 79 AD) and Galen (129 - 200 AD) wrote of the medicinal properties of garlic. In 1858, Louis Pasteur, best known for developing the pasteurization process and being the founding father of microbiology, observed the antibacterial properties of garlic. It was also used by the military in both, World War I & World War II, in the treatment of wounds and prevention of gangrene.

Modern medical research, slow to jump on the bandwagon, has finally begun investigating the benefits of garlic. Studies are showing potential in the treatment of elevated blood serum levels of homocysteine, considered to be a marker of potential cardiovascular disease. There is evidence to suggest that it may also help prevent some of the problems associated with diabetes mellitus and is known to be effective in the treatment of wounds. Studies coming out of China have even shown evidence of some value in the treatment of cancer.

Laboratory trials conducted by Dr. Ron Cutler, of the University of East London, have even shown that allicin (the active compound occurring naturally in garlic) is deadly to MRSA. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for an estimated 17,000 deaths annually and has strains which are resistant to the all of the strongest antibiotics available. According to Dr. Cutler, garlic may be our best hope against the new forms of killer "superbugs" like MRSA.

Gramma's Medicine Cabinet

For Where There Are No Doctors and Often, Where There Are

Disclaimer

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Garlic, the new miracle drug? Very possibly true!

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