Often ridiculed for its powerful odor, garlic can do far more than flavor a bland meal. Fresh garlic contains organic sulfur compounds that not only supply its distinctive flavor but may also offer health benefits, according to Drugs.com. Drinking garlic tea provides an easy way to access these compounds. Simply steep crushed garlic cloves in boiling water and add the fresh juice of one half lemon. The lemon juice makes the garlic concoction more palatable, but some honey may also be included for additional sweetness. Drugs.com notes that further research is needed to fully support garlic's purported health benefits.
Antibacterial
When a fresh garlic clove is crushed or chewed, two organic sulfur compounds, alliin and alliinase, combine to form allicin, a strong antibiotic agent. Consuming garlic tea delivers a healing dose of allicin, stimulating the immune system and killing harmful bacteria. As a result, garlic tea can be used to treat the common cold, sooth inflammations, and fight infections. Garlic's antibacterial properties have been suspected for centuries. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, prescribed garlic to treat infectious diseases.
Antifungal
The allicin in garlic also acts as a powerful antifungal. Drinking garlic tea can help eradicate intestinal fungi and yeasts such as Candida albicans. Unlike traditional antifungals, garlic tea presents few drawbacks, aside from a possibly unpleasant odor. However, prolonged garlic use has been shown to thin blood, so individuals taking blood thinners or preparing to undergo surgery should avoid garlic due to the increased risk of bleeding.
Cardiovascular
Drinking garlic tea can promote a healthy heart and improved cardiovascular activity, according to the website World's Healthiest Foods. Garlic increases the body's levels of high-density lipoproteins and reduces harmful cholesterol in the blood, serving to maintain healthy arteries. Garlic also thins the blood and reduces clotting, helping control high blood pressure and improve poor circulation.
Detoxification
Garlic tea contains vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1, calcium, copper, iron, and zinc. Garlic is also a rich source of selenium, which helps the body detoxify heavy metals like lead and mercury. Selenium and garlic's sulfur compounds act as antioxidants, rounding up harmful free radicals and eliminating them from the body.
Digestive
Enjoying garlic tea can have a relaxing effect on the stomach and calm gastrointestinal trouble. The garlic helps kill harmful stomach parasites, acting as an internal antiseptic and cleansing the digestive system. And despite its reputation, garlic also works as an anti-flatulent to eliminate difficulties with intestinal gas.
Respiratory
The potent smell of garlic tea can act to open clogged nasal passages and clear sinus congestion. Breathing garlic tea fumes can purify the lungs and treat bronchial conditions. Garlic also acts as an expectorant, helping cure nagging coughs and encouraging mucus expulsion.
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