Fight Colds and Flu Naturally with Garlic

Thursday, January 29, 2009 by: Jo Hartley
Tags: garlic, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) People who take daily garlic supplements will catch fewer common colds than people who do not supplement with garlic. Studies have determined that taking a daily garlic supplement that contains allicin will reduce one's risk of contracting a cold by approximately 50 percent. Allicin is a purified component of garlic that is the active ingredient produced by the garlic plant. Garlic supplements that contain allicin have also been shown to be effective for fighting methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.

Everyone suffers from the common cold from time to time. In fact, the common cold is the most prevalent viral infection in the world with more than 200 known variations of the viruses that cause the common cold. On average, people can expect to suffer between two and five colds every year. Recent research is now revealing that not only can garlic help prevent many colds but taking daily garlic supplements can also help to reduce the duration and severity of colds when they are contracted.

Allison has also been proven to be effective in fighting MRSA superbug infections. MRSA is a dermatological staph infection that occurs among patients in health care settings. MRSA can be widespread, is becoming resistant to many antibiotics, and can be a very serious and debilitating condition.

How to Use Garlic for Cold Prevention:

1.Use garlic as soon as the initial symptoms of a cold are felt. Garlic consumption is effective for strengthening the immune system and will even help prevent many colds. When symptoms first appear take a garlic supplement or drink garlic tea to boost the body's disease-fighting strength. Garlic tea will also soothe a sore throat and cough.

2.Try to consume between 1 and 2 whole cloves of garlic each day. Consuming more than this is fine but this amount of garlic will provide all the immune system benefits needed to fight a cold.

3.Taking a large dose of garlic supplements when cold symptoms are initially noticed may be effective for preventing, or at least reducing, a cold. Experts believe that a mega dose of garlic at the first sign of colds or the flu can reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms.

How to Prepare Garlic Tea:

1.Chop one clove of garlic finely. Fine chopping activates the allicin in garlic that is effective for fighting cold and flu viruses.

2.Add the chopped garlic to boiling water and allow to steep for several minutes.

3.Cool the tea before drinking. For best taste allow the tea to cool somewhat but don't drink it cold. The taste is best when slightly warm.

4.Drink one cup each day during the winter months or when cold and flu symptoms begin.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1575505.st...
http://www.ehow.com/how_2119603_use-garlic-t...

About the author

Jo Hartley
Wife, Mother of 8, and Grandmother of 2
Jo is a 41 year old home educator who has always gravitated toward a natural approach to life. She enjoys learning as much as possible about just about anything!
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