What Can A Herbal Wonder Drug Do For Your Heart

All of us know garlic which is most often used as a seasoning or a condiment. You either like it or hate it when you see it on or smell it from your food. Garlic, whether raw or cooked, is famous for its strong characteristic odor. But, are you aware that garlic can be used medically besides its culinary purposes. In fact, garlic has long been considered as a herbal "Wonder Drug".

When crushed or finely chopped, garlic yields allicin, a powerful antibiotic and anti-fungal compound (phytoncide). It also contains ajoene, allicin, enzymes, vitamin B, minerals, and flavonoids.

Ajoene, an unsaturated disulfide, is formed from the bonding of three allicin molecules. The strong odor and flavor of garlic comes from Allicin. After a garlic clove is crushed or finely chopped, the release of allicin occurs. When allicin is dissolved in various solvents including edible oils, ajoene is formed. Ajoene can also be found in garlic extract. Ajoene is most stable and most abundant in macerate of garlic (chopped garlic in edible oil).

Scientists have recently found ajoene has antithrombotic (anti-clotting) properties, which helps prevent platelets in the blood from forming blood clots. These properties can potentially reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in humans.

There are at least 12 well designed studies published around the world that confirm that garlic in several forms can reduce cholesterol. The largest study so far was conducted in Germany where 261 patients from 30 general practices were given either garlic powder tablets or a placebo. After a 12 week treatment period, mean serum cholesterol levels dropped by 12% and triglycerides dropped by 17% in the garlic treated group compared to the placebo group.

Scientists found that allicin blocks the enzymes by reacting with one of their important components known as sulfhydryl (SH) groups, or thiols, which are also crucial components of some enzymes that participate in the synthesis of cholesterol. By reacting with and modifying the sulfhydryl groups in those enzymes, allicin may prevent the production of artery clogging cholesterol. This could provide a possible explanation for how garlic lowers the levels of harmful cholesterol.

Nevertheless, it is believed that garlic does have side effects. Due to its strong nature, raw garlic should not be eaten in large quantity as it could produce problems, for example irritation of or even damage to the digestive tract. Also, there are a few people who are allergic to garlic. Symptoms of garlic allergy include skin rash, temperature and headaches. Also, garlic could potentially disrupt anti-coagulants, so it is best avoided before surgery.

"I Am a Rebel" Stop Smoking EFT Reframe

Every now and then, I have this delightful experience with a smoker on the way to becoming a non-smoker. I call it the "I am a Rebel" stop-smoking EFT reframe. It is delightful because I literally see the face change from "I am a Rebel and determined to self-destruct" to "Confused" to "You tricked me and I fell for it" to "That was very funny" to "Did I really think like that?" and ending the most serene and empowered expression on the soon-to-be-non-smoker's face.

So if you or someone you care for would say that you smoke to rebel, here is one of my favorite reframes that you can be almost guaranteed to enjoy. It goes something like this.

Setup:

"Even though I smoke to rebel, I deeply love and accept myself"

Reminder, using one phrase per point, going round and round your favorite points:

"I'm a rebel, I smoke to rebel, nobody can tell me what to do, because I'm a rebel, and if they try, I will smoke in their face, Ha! That'll show them, because I'm a rebel, that's what I am, I love myself, I love the rebel in me, I accept myself, I accept the rebel in me, I'm a rebel, that's what I am, Oh yes I am, I will always be a rebel, as a matter of fact, you can depend on me to be a rebel, every day you can rely on me to rebel, the cigarette companies can rely on me to rebel, every day I rebel and do what they want me to do, because I'm a rebel, that's what I am, every day they can count on me to rebel, and do just what they want me to do, I rebel so much they're rubbing their hands with glee, Kerr-chingg! Yes, they can count on me to be a rebel, I will dutifully rebel every day and buy their cigarettes, I will do what they want and remain addicted, because I'm a rebel, that's what I am, they can rely on me to pay them money every day, 'Sucker!' - yes, they can always rely on me to comply, they can rely on me to rebel... Or maybe I can rebel against the cigarette companies, maybe. I'm a rebel, that's what I am, I can be relied on rebel, maybe, perhaps."

By this stage, we are usually both laughing so hard, I get tears in my eyes and we are just shaking with laughter! It works every time. And it is just such great fun! Who said stopping smoking had to be serious?!