Chemical constituents & Uses of Garlic
Chemical constituents
The active properties of Garlic depend on a pungent, volatile, essential
oil. Garlic contains 0.1-0.36% of a volatile oil composed of
sulfur-containing compounds: allicin, diallyl disulfide, diallyl
trisulfide, and others. The pecular penetrating odour of Garlic is due to
this intensely smelling sulphuret of allyl.
Other constituents of garlic include: alliin (S-allyl-L-cysteine
sulfoxide), S-methyl- L-cysteine sulfoxide, protein (16.8%, dry weight
basis), high concentrations of trace minerals (particularly selenium),
vitamins, glucosinolates, and enzymes (alliinase, peroxidase, and
myrosinase).1, 2 Allicin is mainly responsible for garlics pungent
odor. It is formed by the action of the enzyme alliinase on the compound
alliin. The essential oil of garlic yields approximately 60% of its weight
in allicin after exposure to alliinase.
The components of Garlic include Calcium, Folate, Iron, Magnesium,
Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Zinc.
The Vitamins present in it are Vitamin B1, B2, B3, and C.
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Culinary Uses
- Garlic is most often used as a seasoning or a condiment.
- Garlic is widely used in many forms of cooking for its strong flavor,
which is considered to enhance many other flavors.
- It is the most widely used component of the Lebanese cuisine.
- The shoots are often pickled in Russia and states of the Caucasus and
eaten as an appetizer.
- In parts of Austria, salads are prepared with vinegar, oil and minced
garlic. Raw garlic appears in quite a multitude of Mediterranean sauces.
Medicinal Uses
- Garlic is taken orally to reduce high blood pressure, prevent heart
disease and arthrosclerosis, treat earaches, and stimulate both the
immune and circulatory systems.
- It may have some cancer-fighting properties because it is high in
diallyl sulphide (DADs), believed to be an anticarcinogen.
- Garlic cloves continue to be used by aficionados as a remedy for
infections (especially chest problems), digestive disorders, and fungal
infections.
- Garlic is also alleged to help regulate blood sugar levels, and so
can be helpful in late-onset diabetes.
- Garlic has also been employed with advantage in dropsy, removing the
water which may already have collected and preventing its future
accumulation.
- If sniffed into the nostrils, it will revive a hysterical sufferer.
- It is also used as an antiseptic and is sometimes externally applied
in ointments and lotions.
- It is also widely used in treating colds and flu, fighting stress and
fatigue and maintaining healthy liver function.
- It is also anti parasitic in nature and has been traditionally used
to treat parasitic worms.
Precautions
- Garlic should be used with caution after surgery or serious injury
since it may increase the chance of bleeding problems.
- During pregnancy and lactation garlic can cause digestive problems
such as heartburn, and babies may dislike the taste in breast milk.