Garlic is not just spices, but traditionally also used for various types of drugs. Romans and ancient Egyptians used garlic to increase their endurance. In the 20 th century, garlic was used to combat a global influenza pandemic. Currently, more than 5,000 scientific publications around the world have confirmed the health benefits of garlic, including the nature of antibiotics, anti-cholesterol, anti-hypertensives, other anti-fungal and many others.
the benefits of garlic health mainly came from two substances that compose it, namely, allicin and diallyl sulfide.

Allicin
Allicin is the main active component of garlic. First reported in 1944 by CJ Cavallito, allicin is the main ingredient responsible for the broad spectrum of antibacterial activity in garlic. Research also shows that allicin plays for lowering cholesterol, anti-anti-coagulation, anti-hypertensives, anti-cancer, antioxidants and antimicrobials. Because the effect of anti-fungal, garlic has been used as folk medicine to treat skin infections, including athlete’s foot (water fleas).

Chemical nature of garlic is very complex. Fresh garlic contains an enzyme (called alliinase) and alliin, which appears in various parts of the plant. unique structure was designed as a defense mechanism against soil pathogens. When fungi or other soil pathogens attacking bin garlic, crushed the membrane, and within 10 seconds, all the alliin is converted into a new compound called allicin. This is a very efficient weapon because the garlic defense system is active only in certain places for short periods of time, while other teams alliin and alliinase are stored in each compartment and available for subsequent microbial attacks. Allicin is produced much can actually be harmful to plant tissues and enzymes.

Allicin is not found in fresh garlic. This is because fresh garlic is composed of 65% water and only contains alliin, allicin is not. A fresh garlic clove can contain 14.6 mg of alliin per gram. natural potential is 2.5 to 5.1 mcg of allicin per gram of alliin. For allicin, garlic should be finely chopped or diuleg. The court further refined and intense, the more allicin is generated and the stronger the effect of the drug. Allicin, which makes a characteristic odor of garlic, breaks easily. Allicin can be damaged if left in place within minutes at room temperature or if cooked too long.

Some people prefer a garlic supplement. garlic pills and capsules have the advantage of not having the pungent smell of garlic. However, the products contain no allicin.garlic dry powder contained only alliinase and alliin. At equal weight, levels of dried garlic powder alliin three times more than fresh garlic. To keep alliinase that are sensitive to stomach acid (which converts alliin into allicin), dried garlic powder capsule is usually covering that protects the stomach acid, so that allicin can be produced in the gut.

Diallyl sulfide
diallyl sulfide is another component in garlic is beneficial for health, although not as strong as allicin. diallyl sulfide is the result of decomposition of allicin, so it is more stable than allicin. Active power does not deteriorate rapidly and can survive after cooking.

diallyl sulfide do not have anti-fungal like allicin. However, this substance is reported good for blood circulation, help reduce levels of bad cholesterol and boosts the immune system. diallyl sulfide is useful to detoxify the cells, thus preventing damage to cells in the liver, intestines and nerves. To support the activities of detoxification in the liver, diallyl sulfide can protect the liver during chemotherapy. Garlic may prevent the development of colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease. Several studies have shown that diallyl sulfide was the one who is primarily responsible for these actions.

Tips for you
Garlic is very strong and should be treated with care:

Be careful when cutting the garlic. Too many contacts with chopped garlic can cause skin irritation.
Stop taking garlic if you have allergies. Some people are allergic to garlic. The symptoms of garlic allergy include skin rash, fever and headache.
Cooking too long and the use of microwaves to destroy the allicin and eliminate health benefits. To make a stronger medication, chopped fresh garlic and mix with food just before serving. Do not add too much garlic, too much garlic can irritate the stomach and may even damage the digestive tract.
When you eat garlic supplements, consumption Breaking with small daily doses, but often more than one large daily dose.
If you are taking pharmaceutical drugs, consult your doctor about taking garlic supplements. In general, drugs and herbal supplements should be given breaks from 2 hours to avoid drug interactions.
Do not take garlic supplements if you take anticoagulants or drugs affecting the blood (such as aspirin, warfarin, etc.) The nature of the blood of garlic can multiply the effects of the drug to dangerous levels.Garlic also has the potential to disrupt anti-coagulants, and therefore should be avoided before and after surgery.