Garlic oil: what is it for and benefits
Garlic oil can be added to foods and has pharmacological properties
Garlic oil is considered a food supplement and herbal product by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). As it is not a herbal medicine (only herbal product), it does not need to go through several tests to be recommended as an alternative for some type of treatment. Even so, it contains a recommendation for use (a kind of package insert) that the consumer must follow to the letter. It is always important that there is medical advice for the use of the product so that there are no negative effects, such as intoxication or overdose.
Garlic is part of the life of almost all Brazilians, especially in cooking. the species allium sativum (scientific name for garlic) is originally from Central Asia, belonging to the family of lilies. Other well-known names for the seasoning are garlic, garlic, or garlic mint. In addition to being popular, garlic is widely used in cooking and is easily accessible, but what few people know is that it has therapeutic and pharmacological properties thanks to its active compound called allicin. Among its main actions and benefits are:
- Antibacterial;
- Antioxidant;
- Fibrinolytic;
- Anticoagulant;
- Diuretics;
- Preventive in relation to arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases;
- In the treatment of high cholesterol;
- Ten benefits of garlic for health.
What is garlic oil for
Thanks to its various properties, garlic has a wide range of applications, such as in skin problems (acne), urinary tract infections, mycoses, respiratory diseases (asthma and bronchitis), headaches, toothaches, diarrhea and even diabetes.
Garlic oil still serves to treat:- Skin Infections
- loss of hair
- dandruff
- sore throat
- high cholesterol
- cardiovascular problems
- cognitive decline
- cancer
- ear infections
- immunity
- bone health in women
- exercise resistance
- mosquito repellent
- wounds
- diabetes
In order for garlic and its derivatives such as garlic oil to maintain their effects, they cannot be heated. As soon as the garlic undergoes heating, the molecules that are considered the active ingredients “break”, thus losing some properties. For garlic oil to maintain its advantages when extracted, it must go through a cold extraction process, in which the temperature is controlled, thus avoiding the degradation of the active principles. Garlic oil capsules must contain three to five milligrams of allicin.
There are numerous advantages to using garlic oil, but it is always good to remember to check the composition and make sure that the amount of allicin present is within stipulated standards. It is also essential to observe if there is no presence of preservatives that could be harmful to health, such as parabens.
A study published by Herbal Medicine Journal showed that garlic has antifungal properties against candida, malassezia and dermatophytes. Another study published by Journal Nutrition concluded that garlic prevents skin cancer due to the high concentration of phytochemicals.
How to make garlic oil
Home made garlic oil does not have the same properties as pure garlic oil. But you can make a version to add to food. To do this, peel three cloves of raw garlic and let it rest in an amount equivalent to a cup of vegetable oil such as olive oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil, among others; for 30 days in a very dark glass container. Then strain and place the garlic oil in the refrigerator for better conservation.
You can find several natural oils at eCycle store! Check it out by clicking here.
