Garlic - miracle spice and medicine!
Garlic is an easy-to-grow plant found in most countries around the world. It is not just a spice...
Garlic is an easy-to-grow plant that is found in most countries around the world. Not only is it a familiar spice in the kitchen, garlic is also considered a very effective medicine. Each active ingredient in garlic is a medicine that helps the body resist and fight against the risk of disease.
Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants still preserved today. Garlic is present in many countries around the world. Particularly in Vietnam.
The Magic Gift
A familiar spice in every family, garlic was grown more than 5000 years ago and originated from Central Asia. According to history books, ancient Egypt was the first place to grow garlic. And thousands of years ago, in addition to cooking, garlic was also used for many different purposes. For some ethnic groups, garlic is considered a sacred item to ward off evil spirits and spells. People carry garlic with them to ward off evil spirits or avoid being cursed or cursed. From this concept, when they died, in the tombs of Pharaohs, people often added garlic as a spiritual belief.
During this period, garlic was also considered a treasure that brought joy and luck to soldiers or athletes before going into battle. They believed that eating garlic would help brighten their spirits and fight more steadfastly. Ancient Egypt was the first place to know how to use garlic to control some diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, intestinal infections or skin diseases. Along with the development of science and technology, in recent years, researchers have found many new uses of garlic in fighting oxidation, cell mutation, preventing cardiovascular diseases and cancer very effectively.
As a herbaceous plant with a swollen base, related to onions, garlic contains many important compounds that are good for health. In Vietnam, in addition to using garlic as an essential spice in the kitchen, many people also use garlic to prepare folk remedies to treat diseases, from infections, bronchitis, flu, toothache to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, joint pain, etc. Garlic is suitable for porous, well-drained soil. If there is too much water, garlic will be waterlogged and rot, and if there is not enough water, garlic will have low productivity. Garlic leaves have a slightly pungent, strong and mildly spicy taste than the bulbs. In many places, people use fresh garlic leaves cut into short pieces, mixed with salad or finely chopped to season stir-fried dishes as a flavoring to enhance the flavor, making the dish more special. However, the bulb is still the most used part.
After harvesting, garlic is tied into small bundles and hung on the kitchen rack to prevent sprouting or rotting. Garlic bulbs with firm cloves will be used as seeds. Each garlic bulb consists of many small cloves, the outside is covered by a thin silk shell. Every 100g of garlic bulbs will produce 60-200g of essential oil. Thanks to the spicy flavor of the essential oil, garlic can be used as a spice for many different dishes.
Vietnamese people often use garlic to marinate meat before braising or grilling. Or use sliced garlic, minced garlic, fried with cooking oil and stir-fried with vegetables. These dishes are rustic but are loved by many people and are quite popular on the menu of many restaurants. If it is a salad, the cook does not forget to add a little fried garlic on top to enhance the flavor, making the dish more attractive. If the dipping sauce does not have the pungent, strong taste of garlic, it is considered to lack sophistication and uniqueness.
Effective medicinal spices
Garlic is a popular spice because of its high nutritional value. Garlic contains the main active ingredient allicin, which is the most important and powerful active ingredient. On average, one kilogram of garlic will give you 1-2 grams of allicin. It is a very powerful antibiotic, stronger than penicillin.
However, allicin will be effective if the garlic is crushed, chopped or sliced before use. If crushed, do not leave the garlic for too long or cook at high temperatures, as this will cause the active ingredients to be lost. Allicin helps the body destroy viruses and bacteria, reduce symptoms of cough, phlegm, stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, etc.
In addition to allicin, ajoene in garlic also has the ability to reduce fibrinogen levels, lower cholesterol, reduce platelet adhesion, thereby limiting blood clotting and coronary artery disease. In addition, compounds in garlic also have antiseptic, antioxidant, detoxifying effects, reduce the risk of cancer... It is these miraculous values that garlic is increasingly appreciated in life.
For Vietnamese people, Vietnamese garlic is still the most popular because its aroma not only adds flavor to dishes but also has many medicinal uses.
There are many different types of garlic in the world such as elephant garlic, leek garlic, bear garlic, pearl garlic, Chinese garlic... but for Vietnamese people, Vietnamese garlic is still the most popular because the aroma of garlic not only adds flavor to dishes but also has many uses in medicine. Nowadays, in some places, people also use garlic as offerings. Or use garlic soaked in white wine, vinegar, both for eating and as a massage medicine to reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis and high blood pressure. On the new day, Japanese people have the habit of using garlic steamed with egg yolks to improve health and prevent disease.
The active ingredients in garlic are very strong, so do not use too much garlic in a day. Too much use can cause enteritis or diarrhea. Also, do not use sliced garlic on the skin for too long, garlic can cause skin burns, irritation, and discomfort.
According to Vietnamese Delicious Food - PC
