Garlic
A Garlic Plant is a bulbous flowering plant in the genus Allium.
References
2023
- (Wikipedia, 2023) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic Retrieved:2023-2-26.
- Garlic (Allium sativum) is a species of bulbous flowering plant in the genus Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, Welsh onion and Chinese onion. It is native to South Asia, Central Asia and northeastern Iran and has long been used as a seasoning worldwide, with a history of several thousand years of human consumption and use. It was known to ancient Egyptians and has been used as both a food flavoring and a traditional medicine. China produces 76% of the world's supply of garlic.
Garlic contains several compounds that are thought to have medical properties. Some of these compounds are:
Allicin: This is one of the most well-known and studied compounds in garlic. It is responsible for the pungent odor and taste of fresh garlic. Allicin is a sulfur-containing compound that has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
Alliin: Alliin is a precursor to allicin, and it is also a sulfur-containing compound. When garlic is crushed or chopped, alliin is converted to allicin. Alliin has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
S-allyl cysteine: This is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is found in garlic. S-allyl cysteine has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reducing cholesterol levels and improving blood pressure.
Diallyl disulfide: This is another sulfur-containing compound that is found in garlic. Diallyl disulfide has been shown to have antibacterial and antifungal properties, as well as anticancer effects.
Ajoene: Ajoene is a compound that is derived from allicin. It has been shown to have antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects, which means that it can help to prevent blood clots.
These are just a few examples of the many compounds found in garlic that are thought to have medical properties. The precise mechanisms by which these compounds exert their effects are still being studied, but research suggests that garlic may have a wide range of health benefits.