Garlic can rightly be called the king of the herbs. Although we think of it in terms of food and seasoning, garlic has long been prized for its numerous healing properties. For at least 5,000 years, garlic has stood as the king of healing herbs. It has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of further heart attacks in cardiac patients, and stimulate the immune system as a powerful antibiotic. The strong odor that garlic is famous for is due to its sulfur-containing compounds that are also responsible for most of its medicinal properties. So, when it comes to garlic, its strong smell and taste is also what gives it such healing properties. It has been shown that 'deodorized' varieties of garlic have less healing properties than the conventional, smelly varieties.

The most important parts of the garlic plant are its cloves. Garlic cloves are well known for treating infections, especially infections of the chest area. They are also known to be effective against digestive disorders and fungal infections, including yeast infections. Garlic cloves have also been successfully used to as a viable long-term treatment for cardiovascular problems. They have been shown to effectively reduce excessive cardiovascular levels, atherosclerosis, and they have been shown to reduce the risk of thrombosis. Garlic cloves have also been shown to dilate peripheral blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Garlic cloves have also been shown to regulate blood sugar levels, and may prove particularly effective in the treatment of adult-onset diabetes. Moreover, recent research shows that garlic may act as a preventative against cancer. Garlic cloves can also be applied topically to treat a variety of skin disorders and infections, including acne. As with most other herbs, garlic is best used fresh.