Garlic Relieves Cold Symptoms

IF any spice has been touted as a panacea, it is garlic. Despite some mischievous overblown claims about garlic’s healing properties, it’s worth keeping in your anti-cold arsenaL Studies have found that garlic has antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal and antiprotozoal properties. Fans of the stinking rose can top toast with olive oil and chopped raw garlic. Try soothing Garlic Tonic Soup at the first sign of a cold, or add lots of garlic to that other panacea, chicken soup. Skip supplements and go for fresh garlic ­it’s cheaper, tastier, safer and likely to be more effective. Safety tip: If you’re on anticoagulant drugs or are scheduled for surgery, talk to your doctor before consuming large amounts of garlic.

Garlic has been used for thousands of year to combat illnesse, of various types, So highly regarded is garlic as a natural treatment for viral and bacte­rial infections that it’s sometimes known as the “poor man’s penicillin”. It’s thought to not only boost the im­mune system but also to possess antivi­ral and antibacterial properties, Many garlic fans advocate eating raw garlic doves at the first sign of cold symptoms,” If you’re concerned about odour, there are garlic pills and powder available at most health food stores. Garlic may also playa role in cold prevention. Adding a little fresh garlic to food on a daily basis may help to fight off the cold vi­rus. A study published in the Ethiopian Medical Journal in 2006 showed that’ garlic displayed anti bacterial activity against several different types of bacte­ria.

Ginger’s warm, spicy kick makes it a favourite culinary spice throughout the world. Long appreciated as an aid to digestion, numerous studies have shown that it is effective against nau­sea. Ginger has also been shown to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties,

so consuming it while you’re sick may help knock out whatever is ailing you. Add minced fresh ginger root to soup, III or blend it into a Vitamin C-rich fruit smoothie. Feeling too low-energy to cook? Try prepared ginger tea bags, or nibble on a piece of crystallized ginger.

Safety tip: If you are on anticoagulant drugs or are scheduled for surgery, talk to your doctor or registered dietician be­fore consuming large amounts of ginger.