Garlic has long been known as 'nature's antibiotic' for its health benefits, thanks to its powerful components.

Below, I have summarized the main ingredients and their effects.

Allicin

  • A component produced when garlic is crushed or chopped

  • Strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects

  • Good for boosting immunity, reducing inflammation, and preventing colds

  • While it is also the cause of the smell, its effects are equally strong

Selenium

  • A mineral with excellent antioxidant properties

  • Helps prevent cell damage and aids in anti-aging

  • Also assists in liver detoxification

Vitamin B6

  • Helps boost immunity and improve brain function

  • An essential vitamin for protein metabolism, also good for relieving fatigue

Flavonoids

  • Antioxidant components that help cardiovascular health

  • Effective in promoting blood circulation and regulating cholesterol levels

Organosulfur Compounds

  • The main contributors to garlic's unique spiciness and health effects

  • Functions include inhibiting cancer cells, detoxification, and reducing inflammation

Garlic is most potent when eaten raw due to its allicin content.

However, it can be slightly sautéed or added to soups to reduce stomach discomfort.

Consuming one or two cloves daily can significantly help boost your immunity.

Refer to the recipes below!

Honey Garlic Pickle (Immunity Booster)

Ingredients

  • 10 cloves of raw garlic

  • 1 cup of natural honey

  • A glass jar (sterilized)

Instructions

  1. Peel the garlic and prepare it whole or halved.

  2. Blanch in boiling water for just 3-5 seconds to slightly reduce the spiciness.

  3. Place the garlic in the sterilized jar and pour in the honey to submerge it.

  4. Close the lid and let it sit at room temperature for a day before refrigerating.

  5. Take out 1-2 cloves daily for cold prevention and fatigue recovery!

Tip: Both honey and garlic have excellent antibacterial properties, allowing for long-term storage.

Garlic Bean Sprout Soup (Best for Sore Throat)

Ingredients

  • 300g of bean sprouts

  • 1 tablespoon of minced garlic

  • Soup soy sauce, salt

  • Green onion, anchovy-dashima broth

Instructions

  1. First, brew a basic broth with anchovies and dashima.

  2. Add the thoroughly washed bean sprouts to the boiling broth.

  3. Once the bean sprouts start to cook, add plenty of minced garlic!

  4. Season with soup soy sauce and salt, then add green onion to finish.

Effect: Garlic's antibacterial power + bean sprouts' asparagine → relieves fatigue and soothes the throat!

Agilo Olio (Simple Garlic Pasta)

Ingredients

  • 100g of spaghetti

  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil

  • 5 cloves of garlic (sliced)

  • Red pepper flakes or chili

  • Parsley, salt

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta in salted water, leaving a little water behind.

  2. In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté the garlic over low heat until golden.

  3. Add red pepper flakes and once fragrant, toss in the cooked pasta.

  4. Add a bit of pasta water and mix as you sauté.

  5. Sprinkle parsley, and cheese is optional according to taste.

Effect: The combination of olive oil and garlic is excellent for cleaning blood vessels!