Is Garlic Good For You With Stopping a Cold Quickly?

I'm

LAURA

👋 Say goodbye to IBS + Bloating and hello to happy gut health & balanced hormones
🌱 Gluten Free Recipes + Meal Plans

TOP LINKS

instagram

tiktok

Visit the Shop

PINTEREST

Get The Guide

7-Day Clear Skin Detox Guide

Sign up for the newsletter and get the FREE guide today.

You may have heard of using garlic oil for cold prevention and ears, specifically ear infections. So, is eating raw garlic good for you and your immunity, or is it bad for you? But is garlic beneficial for the immune system? It may actually help reduce the severity and length of those colds and flu symptoms.

Raw Garlic: Is Garlic Good For You and Can it Boost Immunity?

Well, can garlic heal when you have a cold or flu? Suffering from the cold and flu can make you feel helpless. Since even the smallest task seems exhausting.

It is common belief that there is no real “cure” for colds and flu. You simply have to let it run its course.

Raw Garlic: Is Garlic Good For You and Can it Boost Immunity?

One way to stop a cold is by using garlic. It has wonderful health benefits, with the power to kill off viruses and bacteria that cause colds. So the benefit of garlic can be effective in stopping them.

One method is to put a clove in your nose. You can also eat it to prevent colds.

Studies on the Health Benefits of Garlic on Cold Prevention and Flu

Studies have been conducted to understand how it can benefit your health when you have any cold and flu symptoms.

One particular study looked at 146 people for three months. The people who used the supplement experienced 24 occurrences of cold symptoms, while those who did not use the extracts of the garlic supplement had 65 occurrences.

Another story found that people who took extracts or supplements recovered faster from cold and flu symptoms than those who didn’t. 

So, raw garlic, supplements, and oil can all be great for cold and flu prevention measures, as well as preventing ear infections. 

What Does Garlic Do to the Body?

It is generally considered to have antifungal and antibacterial compounds by inhibiting or killing “pathogenic bacteria” and fungi.

In addition, some garlic benefits include high antioxidant properties. Healthy garlic oil has been used in the ears to prevent infection. 

If you notice your child suffering from frequent ear infections, perhaps consider some garlic oil in the ear as this has been shown to have positive results.

It is good for high blood pressure. This is because it can lower blood pressure by breaking down the protein in artery walls that can cause high blood pressure.

When it is ingested by the body, it produces allium, which is one of the compounds with anti-clotting properties.

One study shows that extracts or supplementation can also lower blood pressure, bringing your body closer to the normal healthy ranges.

What about the spice garlic powder, is it good for high blood pressure too?

Yes, using the powder to cook is also great for lowering blood pressure. There is still allicin in the powder.

Studies have shown that the use of garlic powder has a positive effect on blood pressure and cholesterol levels (1, 2).

Is Garlic Good for HBP and Benefits for High Blood Pressure?

So garlic can be good for those suffering from high blood pressure.

However, always check with your doctor before starting any new supplements. This is because some supplements might interfere with your own current medications.

Cholesterol Levels & Risk of Heart Disease

It has been used for many centuries to treat various diseases and illnesses.

However, recent studies have indicated a positive effect on heart health, particularly in decreasing bad cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure.

Garlic and garlic oil is used for cold prevention and ear infection.

How Does Garlic Benefit and Help Stop Cold and Flu Symptoms?

So, why is it so powerful for prevention of the common head cold, flu, and boost immunity?

Some researchers believe it is the sulfur compounds and allicins, saponins and amino acid derivatives found in it that are responsible for targeting cold and flu symptoms. 

Here are a few ways that garlic may help you end those cold and flu symptoms, help in prevention, and boost your immunity.

Make Sure Garlic is Right For You!

Do a little more research on the benefits of garlic against cold and flu symptoms to ensure it targets those you are actually suffering from.

Also, check to make sure you are not allergic, because if your body is unsuited for it, it will not do you any good.

Get Familiar with the Smell of Garlic

If you have used it before, you know it has a distinctive smell. No matter how much you wash it, the smell never goes away.

This smell is due to the presence of the same agents responsible for remedying a cold and flu. If you are interested in using it, then get used to it now.

You might consider using a tongue scraper to help get rid of the pungent smell on your breath.

I personally have had some success drinking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to get rid of the strong smell. It might help for you as well.

Cloves are garlic used for the ears to make garlic oil for ear infection.

Ways to Include Garlic into Your Diet

There are several ways to incorporate it into your diet, so it can start helping you fight those cold and flu symptoms.

EAT IT RAW

Why eat raw garlic, can it really benefit you?

Is chewing raw garlic actually good for you, or can it be bad? Chewing it has the same effect when you crush fresh garlic. There is a chemical reaction that releases allicin.

Allicin loses its effectiveness property when heated through cooking. So, it’s best to eat it raw.

Try eating a raw clove of garlic every few hours is good for you when you are feeling under the weather. Trust me, you will notice benefits from the garlic in no time.

It might be a strong but good way, so consider chewing raw garlic to prevent cold and flu.

I love making my own healthy “immunity concoction” with some raw garlic, manuka honey, fresh ginger, and lemon juice. I will either eat this raw or add it to a hot cup of water to drink.

How Much Raw Garlic Should You Eat Per Day to See a Benefit?

It is a strong natural medicine in food that has many benefits. The recommended amount to eat per day is roughly three to four cloves a day when you are feeling a bit sick either from a cold or flu.

COOK WITH IT

What health benefits happen when you cook your garlic? Add it in your food while cooking. Cooking and sautéing reduces its pungency and makes it a little easier to eat. 

Is garlic powder good for you?

Garlic powder is a great way to add flavor and nutrients like calcium, iron, and potassium.

However, it can be very strong, so you should use it in moderation. In addition, one of the health benefits of the powder is a decrease in blood pressure and serum triglyceride levels that happens when you cook your garlic (1, 2).

SUPPLEMENTS

There are various garlic extracts or supplements available on the market. If you do not want to cook or consume raw instead, you can simply use extracts or supplements. 

Let’s Discuss Garlic and Cold Prevention!

Have you ever tried eating some raw to boost your immunity or get rid of a cold fast?

What has been your experience with using garlic or supplements as a cold prevention food and boost your immunity?

Let me know in the comments below. You can also connect with me @Eat_Your_Nutrition on Instagram. I love seeing your photos. #EatYourNutrition #LauraVillanueva

REFERENCES

  1. Ali M, Al-Qattan KK, Al-Enezi F, Khanafer RM, Mustafa T. Effect of allicin from garlic powder on serum lipids and blood pressure in rats fed with a high cholesterol diet. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2000 Apr;62(4):253-9. doi: 10.1054/plef.2000.0152. PMID: 10882191.
  2. Ried K. Garlic lowers blood pressure in hypertensive subjects, improves arterial stiffness and gut microbiota: A review and meta-analysis. Exp Ther Med. 2020;19(2):1472-1478. doi:10.3892/etm.2019.8374

Sharing is caring!

Read the Comments + leave a review →

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi, I'm Laura Ann

Healthy gut nutritionist, your nutrition bestie. I created a community where I discuss all things nutrition & health.

As Seen In:
READ          LATEST
the

The Blog Playlist

In The Mood For...

SHOP MY gut health essentials and nutrition programs

The

e*y*n List

Fuel your wellness journey with Eat Your Nutrition's plant-based protein powder, gut boosts, and more. Download a challenge, program, or meal plan to discover how to "Eat Your Nutrition".

Favorites                   Shop

What you've loved from my Eat Your Nutrition™ storefront this month.

from the

Did you know that food journaling is one of the most effective ways to begin your gut healing journey?

Begin to heal and improve your digestion, because gut health is important! Gut health tips to start for beginners.

27,350

Subscribers

528,287

Monthly Visitors

Priceless

Money Saved on Healthcare Costs

Countless

Hours saved  learning how to do this yourself

👋 Say goodbye to IBS + Bloating and hello to happy gut health & balanced hormones
🌱 Gluten Free Recipes + Meal Plans

Follow along →

Let's get casual →

I'm real into Pinterest →