Garlic

Most people are familiar with this pungent member of the onion family that flavours so many Mediterranean dishes. However, garlic also has a long history of use as a medicine. It has been traditionally used to treat a wide range of ailments and diseases and is today popularly taken during the winter cold and flu season. Its antimicrobial action is widely recognized.

The key to garlic's health benefits is the phytochemical, allicin, which also gives garlic its strong odour. Modern research indicates that garlic could help to keep cholesterol levels normal, thereby helping to maintain a healthy heart as part of a healthy lifestyle. Because garlic needs to be eaten raw to obtain the benefits, most people prefer to take their garlic in supplement form.