Tis The Season~ To Get The Sniffles... or worse! PART TWO~ Garlic!

This is part 2 of MY go-to 'get well fast-er' plan.
These are tips that always seem to work for me when I am hit with a bug or feel like my immunity is low.

Many of these are everyday things that can also be used in some capacity to prevent general colds and the flu and keep you healthy!

So! GARLIC! Love it right?! It is pretty much a staple in many households for cooking, but did you know that: It. Is. SO. Healthy. Crazy healthy.

So healthy, that upon reading the benefits decided to start taking garlic supplements for my overall immunity.

Apparently garlic has been used by people for pretty much ever, dating back to the ancient Egyptians. So that is a great bragging point on behalf of garlic to tell the kids! lol

Garlic has not only been shown to help immunity for fighting cold and flu viruses, but also heart disease and cancer! YAY!

So, How do you take it? Well cook it in some delicious pasta for starters.
BUT if you are really concerned about getting the medicinal benefits of garlic;

'Adult
Whole garlic clove as a food supplement: 2 - 4 grams per day of fresh, minced garlic clove (each clove is approximately 1 gram, so 2-4 cloves!)

Aged garlic extract: 600 - 1,200 mg, daily in divided doses

Tablets of freeze-dried garlic: 200 mg, 2 tablets 3 times daily, standardized to 1.3% allicin or 0.6% allicin. Products may also be found standardized to contain 10 - 12 mg/Gm allicin and 4,000 mcg of total allicin potential (TAP).'
 
Also very commonly found in supplement and health-food stores are odourless (No Stinky Breath) soft gel capsules, which are very easy to take! I take it daily at the lower end of the recommended dosage, then up the dosage to the max listed, if a flu bug hits to give my immune system that extra support!

There ARE possible side effects with some people and people taking certain medications or with certain health concerns that large amounts of garlic may not be right for.

You can find many more details from my reference here:
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/garlic

I also thought that I would include this crazy amazing recipe, that uses FIFTY cloves of garlic (wow, I know!) if a winter bug hits your family and you decide garlic is right for you.

Modified Garlic Soup Recipe
Serves 4

26 garlic cloves (unpeeled)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) organic butter (grass fed)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/2 cup fresh ginger
2 1/4 cups sliced onions
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
26 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 cup coconut milk
3 1/2 cups organic vegetable broth
4 lemon wedges
Preheat oven to 350F. Place 26 garlic cloves in small glass baking dish. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and toss to coat. Cover baking dish tightly with foil and bake until garlic is golden brown and tender, about 45 minutes. Cool. Squeeze garlic between fingertips to release cloves. Transfer cloves to small bowl.
Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, thyme, ginger and cayenne powder and cook until onions are translucent, about 6 minutes. Add roasted garlic and 26 raw garlic cloves and cook 3 minutes. Add vegetable broth; cover and simmer until garlic is very tender, about 20 minutes. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return soup to saucepan; add coconut milk and bring to simmer. Season with sea salt and pepper for flavour.
Squeeze juice of 1 lemon wedge into each bowl and serve.
Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Source: http://healthimpactnews.com/2013/garlic-soup-made-with-52-cloves-of-garlic-can-defeat-colds-flu-and-even-norovirus/

Look out for Part 3, to get well quick, when the season hits!

Please note: Web advice is never meant to take the place of a doctor or natural practitioner. When in doubt, consult a professional!