We all know Garlic. It is probably one of the most common herbs that we consume every day via our meals. However, the use of Garlic is not only limited to cooking, but it is also used for good health. Garlic is considered as a medicinal plant in Ayurveda. Garlic has been used since ancient times as a good home remedy for colds and coughs as well as a disinfectant because of its anti-bacterial properties. Garlic has been used in many ancient cultures, not only in India but all over the world, for cooking and curing diseases.

Let’s explore the properties of this miraculous herb in a bit more detail – Garlic has an active compound named Allicin, which makes it effective in treating health conditions and diseases. Garlic is used as an alternative medicine to treat colon cancer, high blood pressure, stomach cancer, stomach ulcers, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and fungal skin infections. Due to the remarkable therapeutic properties of Allicin, the herb is used in the formulation of medicinal products.

These products have varying amounts of Allicin to make them effective in treating a specific health issue. Interestingly, when Garlic is used in the form of a medicinal product, it can produce positive as well as negative effects on the body.

Garlic is also used in the form of an oil known as ‘Garlic Oil’. So in this article, we will show you the health advantages and adverse effects of using Garlic oil.

Nutritional Composition Of Garlic

The scientific name of the herb is Allium satvium. It belongs to the Onion family. It has a distinctive taste and appetizing aroma. It boosts digestion and treats cough, tuberculosis, and cold naturally and effectively.

The presence of sulfur compounds offers a bevy of health benefits. It is low in calories and full of nutrition.

A single clove (three grams) of raw garlic contains the following nutrition:

• 4.5 calories
• Carbohydrates: 1 gram
• Protein: 0.2 grams
• Manganese: 2% of the Daily Value
• Vitamin C: 1% of the DV
• Vitamin B6: 2% of the DV
• Fiber: 0.06 grams
• Selenium: 1% of the DV

It also has reasonable amounts of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, copper, vitamin B1, and iron. Garlic is high in the antioxidant level. This makes it effective against free radicals-induced cellular damage and aging of cells.

How Is Garlic Oil Prepared?

Garlic oil has been used as a flavoring agent and conventional medicine since time immemorial. It is made by soaking and crushing garlic cloves in cooking oil. Steam distillation is used to produce oil in large amounts.

The medicinal qualities of garlic are attributed to the high amount of sulfur present in it. Garlic oil works as an expectorant, antibacterial, diaphoretic, antiparasitic, insecticidal, antiviral, anti-fungal, diuretic, and stimulant agent in the body. Due to its high therapeutic value, it is used to boost hair growth, enhance cardiovascular health, and treat specific types of skin ailments in the body.

Garlic oil is extracted from garlic cloves. Diallyl disulfide, methyl allyl trisulfide, ajoene, alliin, allicin, diallyl trisulfide, linalool, α– and β-phellandrene, allyl sulfide, citral, geraniol, are the major constituents of garlic oil. It is due to their presence that garlic oil shows remarkable health-boosting and healing benefits to a person.

Health Benefits Of Garlic Oil

From boosting immunity levels to eliminating a severe ear infection, garlic oil shows numerous health benefits in a person. The herb supports the protective mechanisms of the body against oxidative damage. It can relieve toothache and control hypertension too.

1. Makes Hair Dense and Strong

Hair loss can be due to several reasons such as genetics, environmental triggers, chemical exposure, nutritional deficiency, oxidative stress, medicines, and extended illness.  Garlic oil has the necessary minerals that are important to build hair fiber. It contains iodine, zinc, iron, calcium, chromium, copper, and magnesium.

It also contains hair-boosting vitamins such as biotin, vitamin E, and vitamin B that keeps the scalp in the best health. In this way, it promotes stronger roots, and arrests hair fall naturally. Apply garlic oil to your hair twice a week to prevent hair loss.

The oil also enhances blood circulation in the scalp. Due to the potent phytochemical composition, the oil also exerts antibacterial activity. It prevents dandruff that is a major cause of hair loss.

2. Effective Remedy To Cure Skin Ailments

Garlic oil shows remarkable fibrinolytic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. This makes it an effective antiseptics and antibiotics. Whether you ingest it or apply it topically on the skin, it lowers inflammation on the skin. This oil contains sulfur in it that speeds up the build-up of new tissue in the body.

It increases blood supply to the wounded area on the skin and promotes healing. The oil is beneficial in the treatment of skin conditions that includes atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, wrinkles, acne, scars, fungal infections, and other symptoms of aging.

3. Improves Heart Health

Garlic oil has the ability to lower the risks of cardiovascular ailment in the body. It comprises an active component, “diallyl disulfide” that shows anti-atherosclerotic effects in the body. It also helps enhance the fibrinolytic activity in both patients as well as healthy people.

Platelet aggregation leads to blood clotting in the body. The presence of these clots in cerebral arteries leads to ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction in the body. This ingredient is also effective in the prevention of thrombosis. Garlic oil makes your blood vessels flexible and elastic. It also helps improve blood circulation and reduce the possibilities of a heart ailment in the body.

4. Boosts Immunity Of A Person

Garlic oil shows remarkable immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. It has good amounts of sulfur that trigger the immune system of the body to douse the inflammation.

5. Reduces Blood Pressure

Strokes, hypertension, and heart attacks are among the biggest killers in the world. Garlic supplements are seen to have a major influence on lowering blood pressure in the blood. Studies have shown that people who took 600mg to 1,500 mg of garlic extract noticed a significant reduction in blood pressure over a period of 24-weeks.

6. Improves Cholesterol Levels

Garlic has the ability to reduce low-density cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the body by around ten to fifteen percent.

7. Cures Fungal Infection And Ailments

Garlic oil exhibits excellent antifungal activities. It restricts the development of fungal infection in the body. It is helpful in curing various fungal diseases that include candidiasis, tinea pedis, superficial mycoses, and otomycosis. The oil penetrates inside the fungus and damages its mitochondria. It also modifies the function of specific necessary genes that plays a role in the pathogenicity of fungi.

8. It Calms Mouth Sores and Toothaches

Garlic oil has potent phytochemicals and other active elements that have the ability to heal sore gums, oral ulcers, mouth sores, and toothache. It also has a broad-spectrum of antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Direct application of the oil may prevent the formation of dental plaque and gingivitis.

9. Eliminate Enteric Pathogens

Garlic oil has an active compound, allicin, that shows a broad spectrum of antimicrobial action against pathogens in the gut. It can inhibit bacteria that lead to food poisoning, gastric cancer, and various other gastrointestinal disorders.

10. Enhances Athletic Performance

Garlic is one of the ancient “performance-enhancing” ingredients on the market. It has been used to lessen fatigue, improve exercise performance, and work capacity of laborers. Daily consumption of garlic oil for six weeks can lower your peak heart rate. This makes it beneficial for people who suffer from a heart ailment.

11. Exhibits Antiviral Activity

The extract of garlic shows antiviral activity. It is efficient against Influenza B virus, Herpes simplex virus type 1, and 2, Parainfluenza virus type 3, vesicular stomatitis virus, etc. The presence of antiviral compounds like allitridin, allicin and Ajoene makes garlic oil a potent remedy for curing the common cold.

These compounds improve the function of immune system cells that destroy virus-infected cells in the body. The phytochemicals present in the herb inactivates viral genes and improves the secretion of antibodies in the blood.

12. Exhibits Insecticidal Properties

Garlic oil is an effective repellent, herbicide, molluscicide, algicide, and nematicide. It works powerfully against blood-sucking parasites in the body. It reduces the reproduction ability of spider mites, weevils, beetles, etc. The oil can also be used as a skin conditioner. It is an effective hair tonic, pesticide, antibacterial and antiviral agent.

13. Improve Brain Health And Prevent Neurodegenerative Ailments

Garlic oil has several sulfur compounds, such as diallyl trisulfide and diallyl disulfide. It significantly lowers oxidative stress in people who suffer from high blood pressure. Regular consumption of garlic oil also lowers unhealthy cholesterol levels in the body. It has antioxidant properties that lower the possibilities of brain ailments that include dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

These organic compounds protect against oxidation and deposition of cholesterol in the body. It prevents the oxidation of cholesterol and lipids that lead to the formation of clots in the heart brain, and blood. Garlic oil also helps in preventing vascular dementia, memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, etc.

14. Increases Longevity

The high dosage of garlic supplements increases antioxidant enzymes in people that can increase their lifespan. It can fight against infectious ailment that is responsible for the dysfunctional immune system in people especially the elderly ones.

15. Detoxify Heavy Metals in the Body

The sulfur compounds present in garlic protect against organ damage caused due to heavy metal toxicity. People who took garlic oil in high amounts for a month showed 19% reduction in lead levels. Furthermore, garlic oil shows several signs of toxicity, that includes blood pressure and headaches.

16. Improve Bone Health

Garlic is beneficial in osteoarthritis. It improves bone health and helps get rid of joint pain. The active compounds present in the oil increases the level of estrogen hormone in women. It is helpful to minimize the loss of bone density in the body.

Who Should And Should Not Consume Garlic Oil?

People who have an allergy to garlic should not consume it. It is advised to check with the doctor to know whether or not it is safe to use the product.

You should not consume garlic oil if you have:

• hemophilia, a blood clotting disorder
• bleeding disorder,
• taking blood-thinning medications,
• a stomach ulcer;
• digestion issues,

What Is The Right Dosage To Consume Garlic Oil?

Excess use of garlic oil can pose discomforts and a wide range of side effects. Also, taking it in smaller than permissible amounts won’t give you the desired effect. So, it becomes important to use garlic oil in the dose as prescribed by the doctor. Do not self-administer the dose.

Don’t use several forms of garlic such as cloves, oil, tablets, etc. together as it can increase the levels of sulfur in the body. Using different formulations simultaneously can increase the possibilities of an overdose.

Always swallow the garlic pill without removing its external coating. This coating helps protect the stomach. If you break the pill, it will break the coating and can pose stomach issues.

Garlic is seen to increase the chances of bleeding. To be at a safer side, it is recommended not to use garlic in any form at least 15 days before performing dental work, surgery, or any other medical procedure.

Ways To Add Garlic Oil In Your Dishes

Garlic oil has got a delicious taste and aroma that can add a punch to your bland recipes. It is a super healthy and super tasty ingredient that is very easy to use in cooking. Its addition can make your dishes mouth-watering and delectable.  The oil complements savory dishes, that include soups, and sauces. You can also use it to prepare a super satisfying and healthy dressing for your salads or add them to your plain bread.

Side Effects Of Garlic Oil

Garlic is possibly safe when you take it in the right amounts for a short time period. Garlic oil has phytochemicals that when consumed in large doses can harm the liver. It is hepatotoxic in nature.  These bioactive ingredients can lead to adverse effects on the body. If you are allergic to garlic or have consumed it in excess amounts, you may see a few severe side effects in the form of:

• Hives,
• Breathing discomfort,
• Dermatitis
• Asthma
• Cardiovascular disease or discomfort
• Halitosis Gastrointestinal dysfunction
• Eczema
• Coagulation dysfunction
• Irritation to open wounds
• swelling of lips, face, throat, and tongue,
• bleeding of nose, and/or gums
• redness,
• swelling, or
• blistering (when topically applied to the skin)
• easy bruising
• diarrhea

Common side effects of eating raw garlic are:

• unpleasant breath
• body odor;
• heartburn,
• burning sensation in the throat or mouth
• nausea,
• gas,
• vomiting

On experiencing the above conditions while consuming garlic oil, you should discontinue its use. Seek immediate attention from your health care provider.

How To Store The Garlic Oil?

Garlic Oil retains its quality better when kept away from light at cold temperatures (refrigerator/freezer). It will help preserve its flavor for a longer time. Also, store the oil in dark-colored bottles. Ensure that the bottles are thoroughly clean and made of food-grade materials.

Some Common Questions on Benefits Of Garlic Oil

1. Can garlic oil benefit my skin?

Yes. Garlic oil has antifungal, antiviral, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties that help ward off various skin issues.

2. Is it safe to leave garlic oil on the face overnight?

No, garlic oil can lead to burns and skin irritation if you keep it for a long time. Also, do not apply it directly to the skin. As it is strong, you should always mix it with a carrier oil. Coconut oil, jojoba oil, and almond oil are some good choices.

3. Is garlic a good anti-aging agent?

Garlic helps rejuvenate and renew the cells of the skin. It has high amounts of antioxidants that saves your skin from damage due to free radicals in the body.

4. Is it safe to use Garlic Oil in pregnancy or breastfeeding stage?

Garlic oil is safe in pregnancy when used in dishes to enhance its flavor. However, you should get an opinion of your doctor before you consume it while pregnant or breastfeeding.

5. What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Garlic Oil?

Garlic oil seems to interact with some types of foods and medications. Care should be taken to avoid consuming it along with fish oil and vitamin E. Also, you should not use it with other herbal supplements that can affect the clotting of blood in the body. This comprises of capsicum, ginger, clove, ginseng, horse chestnut, turmeric, ginkgo, red clover, and willow.

6. Is it safe to give garlic oil to children?

You should not give garlic oil in raw form or as a health supplement to a child without a doctor’s recommendation. Consuming it in more than permissible amounts can harm the child.

Conclusion

Garlic has been used to cure health conditions for a thousand years. Its benefits are proven by science. Garlic and its oil show an exceptional therapeutic value that makes it beneficial for both agriculture and public health.

This non-toxic oil can be used both for topical application and ingestion. However, garlic oil should not be used as a replacement for medication prescribed by the doctor. Consult your doctor to learn about the right dosage and ways to include this multipurpose medicinal oil in your diet.

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