by Carol G

Created on: January 11, 2009

Garlic is a well known health aid. The list of benefits keep rising, along with some warnings. Some have an allergy, and it's best to keep the usage moderate. Powerful antioxidant action proves out the ancient health remedies as confirmed in today's modern research. Who knows? More discoveries could be on the horizon as of this moment.

More recently in health studies, garlic has been thought to help ward off several types of cancer, including breast, stomach, prostate, and bladder. For hard core users, crushing a clove of garlic releases compounds that prevent carcinogenic action that affects breast tissue.

Instead of crushing, try the following Martha Stewart method: Using Ciabatta bread, slice into thicker slices, and arrange on a cookie sheet. Bake at three fifty for about fifteen minutes. For smaller amounts, a toaster oven works fine. While toasting, pour some olive oil into a small bowl.

Once a slight golden color appears, your recipe is ready for the next step. Remove from oven and rub a whole clove of peeled garlic onto the toasted surface. If you've got a garlic addiction, rub a lot, if not-go lightly. An amazing amount of garlic can be used up this way. With a pastry brush, dab the olive oil on top, then finish with a sprinkle with kosher or sea salt.

Other healthy effects surround the heart and functions of the pulmonary system. As a prevention to high blood pressure, and too much blood clotting, garlic or garlic pills are proven to work.

Under the microscope now, warnings of getting the blood too thin have come out in various health reports. Some of the blood thinning medications will increase from the effects of garlic to the point of being dangerous.

Infections are warded off because of the sulphur in garlic. Raw garlic is iffy in certain direct applications. Some warnings talk of skin irritations, and would not recommend the latter.

Because of bad breath issues, many people prefer to use the garlic capsules that have had the odor removed. This application doesn't have the strength of fresh garlic, however. Cardamom and parsley help combat the bad breath smell too.

Insofar as animals, the raw garlic is said to get rid of intestinal parasites. I had adopted five stray kittens to nurse back to health, and I made them special recipes that included garlic. My dog, who was usually snooty towards anything other than her usual dog food, was always trying to snitch the garlicky treats from the cats. I've heard that fleas don't like the taste of garlic, and will not bother your pet who is a garlic lover, either.

Since garlic is so healthy, offering it to friends can eliminate worries about bad breath recommend this to a friend for self defense as well as the health benefits!

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