Because of Garlic's reputation for unsavoury smelliness, it surprises many people to find it listed as an aromatherapy oil, for they think of these as being predominantly sweet-scented! However, it is one of the most powerful of all antiseptic essential oils known, and if this were its only property it would be enough to make it a valuable oil; but it has many other important actions, particuarly in decongesting and detoxifying, and in its effect on the blood and circulation. It should be admitted, though, that because of the smell this oil is very little used in external treatments, and is most often used in the form of capsules or 'perles' for internal treatment.
Botanical Name: Allium Sativum
Origin: Mexico
The active principles of Garlic Essential Oil (Allium Sativum) include alliin, allinase, allicin, alithiamin (a form of Vitamin B) antibiotic allista-tines, garlicine, nicotinamidc (another B vitamin) organic iodine, organic sulphur, Vitamin A and numerous trace elements.
As with many other plants, the history of its use goes back many thousands of years - in this case at least to the Babylonians of 4,000 years ago. It is one of the most widely used plants throughout the world, both for medicinal and culinary purposes. There is a great deal of overlap, as we should realise that those civilisations which have always included a high proportion of garlic-flavoured dishes in their regular diet, consistently show lower levels of heart disease, high blood pressure and circulatory problems, intestinal disorders and bronchitis.
Garlic is being increasingly recognised as a preventative of high blood-pressure and heart disease, whether eaten fresh as part of the diet or taken in the form of oil in capsules. It is very effective at reducing high cholesterol levels (though obviously we must also make sure that any changes needed in the diet are made).
Garlic Essential Oil is an effective decongestant and antiseptic - of immense value in treating catarrh, sinusitis and bronchitis (especially chronic bronchitis) and is probably best known to the lay person in this capacity. Many people take one or more capsules daily throughout the winter as a preventive measure against colds, etc. For acute bronchitis, Garlic should be used in conjunction with other oils to combat the infection relieve coughing and reduce fever.
Its antiseptic, bactericidal and detoxifying properties make Garlic Essential Oil very valuable in treating acne.
It would be unrealistic to expect the (usually young) patient to accept the use of oil of garlic in direct application to the skin, {though it would be extremely effective if they would), but they should be encouraged to use Garlic perles daily to help clear the body of toxins. An odourless form of capsule is now available, which should give greater confidence to any young person who is worried about what his/her peers will think of possibly smelly breath, though there is a possibility that in removing the odour, some of the most valuable properties of the oil are lost.
Garlic has been used for thousands of years to prevent infestation with intestinal worms, both in people and in animals, and it is also effective against certain other parasites. It is used internally as capsules or fresh Garlic in the treatment of scabies, along with Lavender, Peppermint, and possibly other oils, applied externally.
It is one of the best treatments for gastro-intestinal infections, and can be used as a preventive measure, especially when travelling abroad to areas where stomach upsets are feared; though eating the local food, which is probably rich in garlic, as opposed to that specifically offered to tourists, is perhaps the best safeguard. The widespread use of Garlic in the diet of many peasant communities undoubtedly protects them from infections, in conditions in which rapidly-proliferating bacteria would otherwise be very dangerous. As an antibiotic. Garlic has the advantage of not killing off the beneficial flora of the intestine as the synthetic antibiotics do. Well before these facts were established though Garlic was known to be an effective treatment for cystitis, and a good preventative for people who are prone to repeated attacks.
