Garlic

Gives your breath all the power of breathing fire, and wards off vampires too. Garlic can be said by someone to be the remedy for just about everything. Clinical evidence to back up the claims is notably lacking in all but a few of the theories though.

Traditionally, garlic has been used for lowering blood pressure, warding off infection, and several other treatments. It is no wonder that it is now also being said to lower blood sugar and help to control diabetes.

Evidence is thin so far though. Since raw onions are also being connected to lower blood sugar levels, there is some reason to believe that the claims might have some validity. There is controversy over whether deodorized forms of garlic work the same as fresh garlic, whether cooked garlic has the benefits of raw (most sources think not), and some claims that cooked onions at least have a negative affect on blood sugar.

Both are important sources of sulphur, which is responsible in part for their strong flavor. Garlic is considered to generally be a safe food, because it is consumed in fairly large quantities worldwide anyway. But use in high quantities has been linked by some to poorer clotting, so those with clotting issues should probably avoid using it in therapeutic doses. In fact, this is the reason I chose not to use it as a supplement for blood sugar control - I do use it when I have attacks of phlebitis though, and it appears to help clear them up faster.

So I cannot say from experience whether or not it would have any positive results on blood sugar control. Since raw, fresh garlic seems to be the most potent, I'd be reluctant to use it much anyway. We lived by a man who ate raw garlic for health reasons, and if he were in the back room in the library, you could tell when you walked in the front door, because the odor was so strong.

The odor of garlic is so permeable that if you put it in your shoes, it will make your breath stink. Unlike other things which give you bad breath, garlic does not make your mouth smell bad... It makes the air coming from your lungs smell bad, and the odor also is exuded in your sweat and skin.

Many people swear by it though, and it has a long history of health benefits. Be cautious though, and monitor your reactions carefully if you choose to use it.

Written by Laura Wheeler, Owner of Firelight Business Enterprises, Inc.