Garlic for Colds: Know Its Benefits and How to Use It

When you have a cold or flu, it’s hard: your nose is stuffy, your throat is sore, your energy is drained. It’s as if your body is taken over by a disease. Have you ever dreamed of a quick way to relieve discomfort? If so, here’s a simple home remedy that my mom swears by. She suggested using garlic for colds, which can be a great flavor addition to foods, but can also work wonders when you’re sick. A few days ago, when I was battling a persistent cold, my mother added garlic to my food and made me garlic herbal tea. Surprisingly, it helped me relieve a sore throat, cough, and even nasal congestion! So, if you are struggling with cold symptoms, try garlic. You may feel better faster than you expect!

What causes colds and flu?

Colds and flu are usually caused by viral infections, most commonly rhinoviruses. These viruses spread through the air or through contact with contaminated surfaces. A cold usually causes symptoms such as a runny nose. sore throatcoughing, sneezing and mild fatigue. While anyone can get a cold, some people are more susceptible to factors such as poor immunity, stress and lifestyle habits. Other reasons include:

• Lack of personal hygienelike not washing your hands regularly, increases the risk of contracting germs.
• Smoking damages the respiratory system, making it more susceptible to infections.
• Stress weakens the immune system, and sleep deprivation and poor nutrition further undermine the immune system.
• Allergy may also make the respiratory system more sensitive, increasing the likelihood of catching a cold or developing persistent cough.

Garlic for colds: will it help?

Garlic has long been used not only for its taste, but also as a powerful medicinal plant. It offers a number of health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, improving cognitive health, and even reducing the risk of certain types of cancer. But can garlic help with colds and flu? The answer is yes, thanks to a compound in garlic called alliin. When garlic is crushed or chewed, alliin is converted to allicin, a compound believed to have immune-boosting properties. Allicin contains sulfur, which gives garlic its characteristic smell and taste. According to research published in The New York Times Magazine, it has been shown to enhance the disease-fighting response of some white blood cells, which can strengthen the immune system and help fight infections such as colds or flu. American Institute of Nutrition And Journal of Immunological Research.

Additionally, garlic has antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal properties, which are known to boost immunity and fight bacteria and infections that cause colds and flu, explains an Ayurvedic expert. Dr. Chanchal Sharma.

In addition to strengthening the immune system, using garlic for a cold can also reduce the likelihood of getting sick. Research in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that volunteers who took garlic supplements had a 63 percent lower risk of catching a cold compared to those who took a placebo. However, the study found no significant difference in recovery time between the two groups. This suggests that while using garlic for colds and flu may not speed up recovery, it may help prevent colds or at least reduce the severity of symptoms. So, if you tend to catch colds easily, including garlic in your diet may provide relief.

How to use garlic for colds and flu?

How you prepare and consume garlic when you have a cold can affect its health benefits. Garlic contains the enzyme alliinase, which converts alliin into the active compound allicin, the substance responsible for the immune-stimulating properties of garlic. However, allicin is heat sensitive and can be deactivated by cooking. Research published in the journal American Society of Nutritional Sciences found that even short-term exposure to heat, such as 60 seconds in a microwave or 45 minutes in an oven, can reduce its effectiveness. To preserve its beneficial properties, it is best to crush or chop the garlic and let it sit for about 10 minutes before cooking. This gives alliinase time to convert into allicin. If you cook garlic, you may need to use more than one clove to get the full health benefits.

Here are some ways to use garlic for colds and flu:

• Crush or chop garlic before eating to release more allicin.
• Before cooking, let the minced garlic sit for 10 minutes to preserve its medicinal properties.
• For maximum effect, add more than one clove to each meal. But do not exceed three to four cloves per day to avoid side effects.
• “Make garlic tea by boiling water with a puree of garlic, ginger and cloves. Let the mixture steep and then drink it as a soothing herbal tea,” says Dr Sharma.

Also read: My mom says honey and fermented garlic can cure colds and coughs!

Are garlic supplements safe?

Garlic supplements, powders, and extracts are popular ways to increase your garlic intake, which can improve its flavor. Although raw or lightly steamed garlic provides many health benefits, supplements can vary widely in quality and effectiveness as there are no regulated standards for garlic supplements. The allicin content of garlic supplements can vary, which can affect their effectiveness. So whether you’re using garlic for colds and flu or otherwise, if you’re considering using a supplement, it’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider ahead of time to make sure it’s right for you.

Also read: Chewing or Swallowing: What’s the Best Way to Eat Garlic to Get the Most Benefits?

How much garlic should you eat per day?

There is no official recommended daily dose of garlic for colds, but some studies suggest consuming 100 mg of minced raw garlic per kilogram of body weight twice daily. This usually amounts to about three to four cloves of garlic per day, according to Journal of Dietary Supplements. However, the exact amount may vary depending on individual factors such as health and tolerance, so it is always best to start with a moderate amount and adjust according to your body’s response. Also, consult your doctor if you notice any side effects.

Add garlic to your daily diet and get rid of colds and flu!