Interested in trying our FREE 7-day healthy diet plan? Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world, and is a hardy perennial belonging to the Liliaceae family. Other members of this family include onions, leeks, chives and shallots. They are distinguished by their pungent aroma garlic butter sauce for bread distinctive flavour.

The bulb is the most commonly used part of the garlic plant and is typically composed of eight to 20 individual teardrop-shaped cloves enclosed in a white, parchment-like skin. This sulphur-containing compound gives garlic its pungent smell and distinctive taste. Garlic may also lower blood pressure through its ability to widen blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely. Russian penicillin’ to denote its antibacterial properties, which is once again attributed to the compound allicin. Studies also suggest the consumption of garlic may give some relief from the inflammatory symptoms of osteoarthritis. They both contain a variety of compounds with medicinal properties, including antibacterial and antifungal effects. But wild garlic has been found to have an even greater effect on lowering blood pressure than regular garlic.

Garlic poses few safety issues and allergies are rare. If you take garlic supplements for cholesterol management, have your cholesterol levels checked after three months. Please note that some people may experience indigestion, intestinal gas or diarrhoea when taking high doses of garlic. Take inspiration from our garlic recipes. This article was last reviewed on 6 October 2021 by Kerry Torrens. Over the past 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider.

This website is published by Immediate Media Company Limited under licence from BBC Studios Distribution. Garlic is a strong-smelling, flavoring herb noted for its many health benefits. It contains a powerful compound called allicin that can help to lower cholesterol. The purpose of a garlic clove is aplenty. Right from cooking purposes to medicinal uses, it is truly an all-rounder when it comes to choosing to eat healthily.

Moreover, it adds a delightful flavor to all your recipes. Garlic, scientifically known as Allium sativum, is a close relative of the onion and is native to Central Asia. The garlic bulb contains several cloves and each clove is covered with a soft translucent peel. Garlic has been used as a seasoning in food as well as a traditional remedy for over 3,000 years.