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***Many spices often sit on a spice rank forgotten except for the occasional soup or desert recipe. However, garlic is the exception it can add so much flavor and, well spice, to all sorts of dishes. As a result, this earthy and strong spice is used with great frequency.



What would Italian food be without this wonderful spice? Because it is able to enhance the taste of so many foods, this wonderful spice is often earns a central position on a spice rack. Fresh garlic is commonly found sitting in plain view on a kitchen counter top.



Allium sativum is garlic’s scientific name. It most likely originated in the wild in south west Asia. It has been used as a spice and a medicine, thought the ancient world.



Yet, garlic is more than just a yummy spice, it is also tough to beat in terms of improving people’s health. Numerous studies indicate that it has the ability to fight off colds and flu’s, due to the fact that there are powerful antibacterial and antifungal compounds found within garlic.



This plant owes much of its antibacterial and immunity boosting effects to a compound known as allicin. In short, allicin is some serious powerful stuff. Studies indicate that allicin plays a role in garlic’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well. Yes, in addition to tasting great and boosting one’s immunity.



Numerous medical studies have also found that garlic has the ability to reduce cholesterol levels. When all is said and done, garlic can help one’s health in a variety of ways. Few, if any, other spices can match exactly what it can offer to the human body in terms of wellness. One a side note there are people that suffer an allergic reaction to garlic.



Like ginger and oregano, is widely available and can be purchased year round, both in its raw form and in powered form. Additionally, again like ginger and oregano, can be purchased in pill form. Health food companies, realizing garlic’s potential for improving health, offer capsules. While supplements from the vitamin store are a great option, the best way to enjoy any spice, such as garlic is in either its dehydrated form or in its raw state. Both powered garlic and raw garlic work wonderfully well in a wide array of foods and different types of recipes. Garlic is easy to grow and can survive in many climates. It is also immune from most type of pests.



Raw garlic has more “punch” than dried, but some may find that raw garlic produces leaves their breath a little smelly afterward. For this reason, many opt for dried instead, which greatly reduces this problem.



When one considers the various ways that garlic can help improve health, it is surprising that garlic isn’t even more popular. Yet, that stated, the popularity of garlic around the world has been high throughout history for good reason. In fact, people have often placed it above many other spices. Often garlic, in some parts of the world, has seemed nearly as popular as salt and pepper.-