Garlic

Peel back the papery skin of a garlic bulb, and you're holding a remedy as old as civilisation itself. Pungent, grounding, and full of fire, garlic has long been a kitchen essential but more than that, it’s a medicine chest in its own right.

From ancient Egyptian temples to medieval apothecaries, from rural kitchens to prophetic healing traditions, garlic has earned its place not just as food but as functional medicine. Today, modern science confirms what folk healers and herbalists have passed down for centuries: this humble bulb is a powerful natural ally.

What makes garlic so powerful?: At the heart of garlic’s healing power is a compound called allicin, created when garlic is chopped, crushed, or chewed. Allicin is highly unstable but also highly potent, with broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. A 2009 review published in Nutrition Reviews called garlic “a potent antibiotic” that could fight bacteria, viruses, and even fungi while also potentially lowering blood pressure and cholesterol (Amagase, 2006).

Garlic and heart health: Garlic has been deeply studied for its cardiovascular benefits. Research suggests that regular intake of garlic — especially raw or fermented may help support healthy blood pressure, improve lipid profiles, and reduce arterial stiffness. A 2013 meta-analysis published in Nutrition found that garlic supplementation “reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels” in people with slightly elevated cholesterol (Ried et al., 2013).

A natural immune supporter: For centuries, garlic has been the go-to remedy for colds, flus, and general immune support. In the modern world, garlic continues to be studied for its ability to modulate the immune response, enhance the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, and reduce the severity of respiratory illnesses. A randomised trial published in Advances in Therapy showed that participants who took a garlic supplement experienced fewer colds and quicker recovery times compared to those on a placebo (Josling, 2001).

Garlic in Islamic tradition: Though garlic isn't mentioned in the Qur’an by name, it was acknowledged by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in hadith. Interestingly, garlic was both valued and cautioned, recommended as food and medicine, but also noted for its strong smell, especially before prayer or communal gatherings. “Whoever eats from this plant (i.e., garlic), let him not approach our mosque.” - Sahih al-Bukhari 855. This wasn’t a condemnation of garlic, but a reminder of social etiquette and proof that garlic was commonly consumed among the early Muslim community. In Tibb al-Nabawi (Prophetic Medicine) and Unani medicine, garlic has long been used to cleanse the body, warm the digestive system, expel parasites, and stimulate blood flow. It’s considered a "hot and dry" remedy, often used in cold or damp conditions to restore internal balance.

Whether roasted into cloves, steeped in honey, or fermented into golden syrup, garlic is a ritual food, grounding, energising, and full of character. It asks you to slow down, chop, crush, smell, and respect its power. It’s bold, unfiltered, and utterly of the earth. It reminds us that real healing isn’t always pretty, sometimes it’s pungent, rustic, and sharp, just like life. Garlic is one of those rare plants that transcends categories. it’s a food, a medicine, a tradition, and a testimony to nature’s pharmacy. From the soil to the table, from science labs to sacred texts, garlic continues to prove itself as a healing force worth honoring.

So the next time you peel a clove, crush it under your knife, and toss it into your cooking, know that you're participating in something ancient, something wise, and something profoundly good for the body and soul.

Fi Amaanillah - Raaby

Collected Wisdom:
Amagase, H. (2006). Clarifying the real bioactive constituents of garlic. The Journal of Nutrition, 136(3), 716S–725S.

Ried, K., et al. (2013). Effect of garlic on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition, 29(7-8), 833–839.

Josling, P. (2001). Preventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Advances in Therapy, 18(4), 189–193.