The healing powers of garlic are legendary. Now it seems that they have been given the seal of approval by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, writes SYLVIA THOMPSON
THE POWER OF raw garlic has moved centre stage with confirmation that the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, regularly chews the herb in its raw state.
It has emerged that Lenihan has been eating garlic for some time, reportedly since he took over the Finance portfolio. Now, attention has turned to the health-giving properties of the potent herb which folklore suggests can protect you from vampires.
Whether the Minister needed protection from these blood- sucking creatures as he burned the midnight oil last year while grappling with the banking crisis is unclear. However, his choice of stress buster has historical associations that suggest its role in sensitive situations is worthy.
For instance, it was the first herb Roman doctors planted as the Roman Empire expanded. And the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Chinese all ascribe wonderful healing properties to the herbal remedy.
In the 18th century, French citizens reported protection from the plague if they drank garlic vinegar, and garlic was administered as an antiseptic poultice during the first World War.
By the end of the 19th century, garlic was the most widely used medical plant in the world. Its anti-bacterial properties were proven scientifically by Louis Pasteur in 1858.
A member of the onion family, its anti-fungal, anti-viral properties have since been confirmed. Scientists who study the distribution of illnesses in different populations have also found that in those countries where large quantities of garlic are eaten, there is a lower death rate from heart attacks, despite similar patterns of smoking and drinking alcohol.
A source close to Mr Lenihan was happy to confirm his liking of garlic yesterday: “Yes, it gives him strength and keeps him healthy and alert”.
However, he declined to elaborate further.
Without delving too much into the Minister's particular penchant for the bulbous root, it is fair to say that garlic's medicinal powers are legendary. Naturopath Michael Van Straten designates it as a superfood in his Healthy Food Directory(Newleaf).
According to Van Straten, it is a strong weapon for protecting against cancer, lowering cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure and improving circulation.
“It’s also beneficial for coughs, sore throats, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea and fungal infections,’’ he writes.
Nutritionists and dietitians agree that garlic is best eaten raw – if you can stomach it, that is. And raw is how Mr Lenihan prefers it. He keeps bulbs of garlic in his pocket, peels it and eats the cloves whole or crushes it into soup, if the opportunity presents itself.
Scientists say garlic is best eaten crushed because the process of crushing garlic releases the sulphur compound (much disliked by vampires, we can assume), allicin.
For those who cannot abide the smell or taste of raw garlic – and there are many – dried powered garlic in capsule form is an option.
Jill Bell, president of the Irish Association of Health Stores, says garlic capsules are strongly in demand in health stores – not because of the Minister’s habit but as a preventative measure against the H1N1 virus.
“Garlic is one of our top recommendations for avoiding or mitigating the effects of swine flu , however, we dont recommend it to anyone who is on medication for circulatory problems,” she cautions.
On a lighter note, Bell adds, “I hope the Minster was chewing lots of parsley as well to counteract the smell of garlic. Otherwise he might have lost a few good friends.”
One must be careful, however, not to ascribe too many properties to garlic. It barely gets a mention in Brain Food and Power Food, two popular books on how certain foods increase vitality, boost brain power and fight fatigue.
And while there is some evidence that garlic enhances sexual prowess, its odour certainly puts a damper on romance. Hanging it around your neck to ward off evil spirits – full moon or not – may yet become de rigeur in political circles in the next few weeks.
The goodness in garlic
- Garlic is the most widely used medicinal plant in the world. Its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties are recognised in both Chinese and Western herbal medicine.
- Garlic is best eaten raw in salads, baked whole in the oven, or if fried, not allowed to go brown. The process of crushing garlic releases a powerful sulphur compound called allicin.
- Garlic helps lower cholesterol, reduces blood pressure and improves circulation. It is also beneficial for coughs, bronchitis, catarrh, sore throats, asthma, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, stomach upsets and athlete's foot.
- In the days before penicillin, garlic was the main treatment for tuberculosis. During the first and second World Wars it was widely used on wounds as an antiseptic. Garlic was also once used to cure smallpox and leprosy.
- It is not recommended for those on medication for blood circulation problems. Too much garlic can also irritate the kidneys and give colic to breastfed babies.
- Dried, powdered garlic in capsule form is one of the most popular food supplements taken to prevent or mitigate the effects of the H1N1 virus.