The use of Garlic was very common to ancient Andean cultures. From the past to the present, the plant has been cultivated at extreme high altitudes, surviving extreme temperatures.
It is acknowledged that the existence of a well organize agriculture based on an appropriate use of the environment and the continuous improvement of herbs, food plants, and roots, to maintain the wellness made the garlic one of the most powerful plants in the highlands.
Radiation is the major challenge that the highlanders have to deal with. It is in the Andean sunlight.
Fortunately they have a way to defend from it. Garlic is the magic wand used to permeate the body against the UV rays.
The sulphur-containing compound, Allicin, found in fresh garlic has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The bulb also has long been used to combat high blood sugar in the diabetics and enhancing the body's antibody responses to common infections.
Because garlic is known now as an all-around tonic, because of its enrichment with vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6, folate, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc, many people take it literally as whatever ails them. Unfortunately, indiscriminate garlic use can cause problems. The abuse can occur when individuals who do not need garlic tonic take it, or when the dose ingested is overly high, or when it is taken for a long period of time. Because each individual's response to any herb is unique, it is important to be alert for potential signs of garlic abuse. Symptoms include feelings of euphoria, hypertension, insomnia, morning diarrhea, rashes and/or shortness of breath.
The average westerners gets two or three colds and one share of flu each year. If an individual suffer from more than this, there is a chance that the person may have a poorly functioning immune system which increases the susceptibility to infectious diseases. Some people are born with weak immune systems, while others undermine their immunity with heavy drinking, poor diet, recreational drug use, smoking, or chronic stress. Garlic boats immunity-boosting powers. It enhances the activity of the white blood cells that are the ones in charge of the detoxification of blood and lymphatic system by destroying bacteria, viruses and other waste matter. This, in turn, increases the body's defense system.
During cold and flu season, enjoy 1/2 to 1 teaspoon a day of garlic tonic every eight hours. To prepare it use three smashed cloves dissolved in the juice of one lime and a pinch of salt.
For diabetics, mix the three cloves with the juice of one small onion and the juice of one lime. The tonic lasts three days.
COOKING RICE: Just fry one or two cloves with one teaspoon of oil add 1 cup of rice and 1 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.
