Winter is coming

03 May, 2019 - 00:05 0 Views
Winter is coming Garlic

The ManicaPost

Herbal Space Miriam Kwari
“And in the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Rev. 22:2).

Hello Friends. Welcome, yet again to herbal space.

Today I want to start off fancy. We agreed to talk A to Z of herbal medicines and we are still doing just that.

A lady is allowed to show off a little bit, right? I hope that you are still enjoy reading through these articles. Well, WINTER IS COMING and we are all proudly covered by ALLIUM SATIVUM. Ogh, l mean, GARLIC. That is why l said a little show off…because that complicated name is just our old fashioned GARLIC.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of our most versatile herbal medicines, providing respiratory, immune, digestive and cardiovascular support. Many excellent varieties grow happily and store well.

Because garlic stimulates immune function and its volatile antimicrobial and mucus thinning compounds are excreted partially through the lungs, it is especially valuable in preventing and resolving respiratory infections. As a broad spectrum antimicrobial, garlic can also come in handy when stomach infections come around, as well as infections of the throat and ear.

Garlic increases circulation and sweating, helping to support the body’s innate fever response. It is easy to see why garlic is a favourite for winter wellness herbal food. I like combining this idea of garlic with this biblical quote: And God blessed Adam and Eve and said,

“Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be meat” (Genesis 1:29).

Fresh, Cooked or Aged? What is the Difference?

Fresh garlic:

 Powerful immune stimulant  broad spectrum antimicrobial (acts on viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and worms)

 diaphoretic (increases sweating)

 digestive antispasmodic

  increases bile flow

 expectorant

 insect repellent.

How to use garlic raw

Cooking deactivates some of garlic’s activity, so one of the easiest ways to take garlic is simply to eat it!

Raw garlic is probably the optimal form. Crush a couple cloves and put in olive oil, add a dash of lemon, and toss over a salad.

Garlic is safe and well tolerated in the regular diet. There is a small risk that eating larger quantities of raw garlic (more than 4 cloves per day) can affect platelets’ ability to form a clot.

Please note that  it makes sense to reduce consumption of garlic 10 days before surgery and not to exceed this amount if taking anticoagulant medications. Garlic can also interfere with medications used to treat HIV infection if taken excessively.

Gently cooked garlic:

Gently stimulates immune function (should be a regular part of winter diet);

 supports healthy intestinal flora and digestive health overall;

 supports cardiovascular health;

 cancer preventive and support in cancer therapy;

When to Use Garlic

 cold and flu prevention and treatment

 viral infections (respiratory or digestive, herpes simplex)

 bacterial

 Sinus and lung infections and congestion

 gastrointestinal

 Infections (esp. bacterial, parasitic or fungal)

 vaginal infections

 athlete’s foot & other skin infections

 moderately elevated blood pressure

 moderately elevated cholesterol

 elevated blood sugar

 prevention of tumour growth

Make it yourself: Garlic Ginger Winter Syrup Recipe

This is my favourite winter remedy that can be made and used right away and also stored for many months. Honey and vinegar add their own healing benefits.

It can be used to prevent or address respiratory infection;

It encourages good health and kills many common bacteria and viruses;

It also makes a good cough syrup, thinning mucus and encouraging expectoration.

It is particularly nice for kids and sensitive adults because its sweetness tempers the heat of the ginger and garlic.

Dose

1 Tbsp 1-3x/day or as needed (high end for acute conditions);

1 tsp 1-3x/day for kids.

Ingredients

1 head garlic

1 piece of ginger root

2 Tbs. fennel seeds

1 c. apple cider vinegar

½ c. pure honey

Method

Crush fennel seeds

Add to vinegar in a pot.

Chop ginger and add to vinegar.

Simmer ginger and vinegar for 30 minutes.

Remove from heat and add chopped garlic and honey. If there is time, allow sitting overnight before straining or leaving ingredients combined and siphon off top as needed. (Garlic may turn

blue-green over time. But, -have no fear, this is part of a normal and safe chemical reaction between the garlic and vinegar).

General Dosing Guidelines

 Start slow (with lower doses) and work your way up to avoid gastrointestinal side effects.

 Many clinicians recommend 1 raw clove/day for prevention of colds and flu.

 Up to multiple bulbs per day have been recommended for therapeutic benefit.

 Use your judgment.

Garlic Precautions:

 Eating garlic while nursing can sometimes cause gastric upset for infants.

 You will have garlic breath and sweat while using garlic therapeutically!

High doses of raw garlic or garlic tincture can sometimes cause nausea or vomiting or other gastrointestinal upset in some individuals; mixing tincture or raw cloves with milk or honey or another fat or oil based substance can help to reduce any side effects.

 Hopefully this comes in handy this winter. See you in the next article. Remember, nature is the pharmacy and take care of yourself and one another, sipping on our magical GRAVIOLA too. In conclusion, God has limitless love for His people and prepares all things ahead for His people on earth, including herbs for healing diseases.

 

The writer, Miriam Kwari is a Herbalist from Mutare and can be contacted on +263773378571 or 12 Herbert Chitepo Street, Oasis Building, Mutare

 

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