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Garlic has been used medicinally for over 7,000 years - where it was found in Paleolithic caves. It's the easiest crop to grow. It requires no fertilizers or pesticides - it contains it's own pesticides which I'll get to later - and requires very little water throughout the season. Simply break apart a head of garlic and plant individual cloves, pointed side up, a few inches into the soil. Mulch heavily. They're usually planted 6-8 weeks before the first frost in the Fall but can also be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in the Spring.

They only need a few inches to grow in, and so are great in containers or apartment gardens.

The known constituents in garlic that give it its' incredibly versatile medicinal benefits are: alliin, allicin, ajoene, allinase, terpenes, B vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidant flavonoids, sulfur, selenium, and phosphorus.

Circulation

The aromatic constituents in garlic act as a natural pest-repellent (which also make it GREAT for companion planting) are also responsible for dilating blood vessels. This increase in dilation increases blood circulation which reduces blood pressure (dilation means there's more room for the blood to flow, hence, lowering the pressure. Better circulation means more oxygenated blood can pump freely through the body, increasing people's energy and sense of vitality. Source

Studies have shown that eating one clove of garlic daily for 4-6 weeks can lower blood pressure, making it a great natural remedy for hypertension in pregnancy - however if bleeding is an issue, please avoid. It has anti-clotting effects in large doses. Source

High blood pressure is usually caused by the hardening of arteries due to cholesterol plaque and calcification. Garlic has been show to halt and sometimes even reverse the hardening of arteries, possibly due to it's dilation effect. Source

Cholesterol

Studies have also shown that eating 1-2 cloves a day can lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as increasing good cholesterol (HDL). It does this by supporting the liver - the organ primarily responsible for regulating cholesterol levels. Source

Diabetes

Because of it's effect on the liver, garlic has also been proven to lower and stabilize blood sugar levels. Source

Cold and Flu

When I lived in Mexico, a local medicine woman would make a tea out of boiling a stick of cinnamon and a clove of garlic (and sometimes a chili pepper). There are other garlic concoctions such as fire cider, fermented garlic, and garlic honey - but I'll write separate posts on those!

It turns out garlic has more than 18 known antibacterial constituents and has been shown to have antimicrobial activities throughout the body on viruses, bacteria, protozoa, yeast and fungi! Source

Women's Issues

A garlic suppository inserted into the vagina can help treat yeast infections and can help treat menstrual cramps, weakness during menstruation, amenorrhea, morning sickness and hot flashes.

Respiratory Issues

The volatile oils in garlic have also been shown to be excreted through the lungs, making it especially effective in treating respiratory infections and illnesses. It’s also an expectorant, helping the body to thin and expel phlegm in the respiratory system.

Ear Infections

In addition to treating the lungs, it can also be used juiced or in an oil to relieve muscle aches and pains and in the ear to treat ear pain and infections. In addition to a drop of garlic oil or juice inside of the ear, you can also rub it along the eustachian tubes on the outside of the neck.