Troop Pharmacy > Blog > Herbal Plants
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Maca

Maca is a plant that grows in central Peru in the high plateaus of the Andes Mountains.
It has been cultivated as a vegetable crop in this area for at least 3000 years.

Maca is a relative of the radish and has an odor similar to butterscotch.
Its root is used to make medicine.

Maca root is added to food to boost libido and energy.
It has also been studied as a remedy for sexual dysfunction, depression, hair loss, hot flashes, and fertility.

Maca root has become a very popular supplement known for its potential benefits for fertility, libido, menopause, and more.

Maca is a plant that some populations in Peru have used for thousands of years as a food and medicine.

In the last few decades, maca has grown in popularity around the world as a natural remedy for certain health issues, including infertility and low sex drive.

Maca supplement is sold as a powder you can add to foods or drinks. It also comes as gelcaps.
People take maca by mouth for “tired blood” (anemia); chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); and enhancing energy, stamina, athletic performance, and memory.

People also take maca by mouth for:

Female hormone imbalance,

Menstrual problems, Symptoms of menopause, Improving fertility, and Sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants,

Weak bones (osteoporosis), Depression,

Stomach cancer,

Leukemia,

HIV/AIDS,

Tuberculosis,

Erectile dysfunction (ED), to arouse sexual desire, and to boost the immune system.

USES OF MACA

•Sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressant drugs. Early research suggests that taking maca twice daily for 12 weeks slightly improves sexual dysfunction in women taking antidepressants.

• Male infertility:
Early research shows that taking a specific maca product daily for 4 months increases semen and sperm count in healthy men.

• Postmenopausal conditions:                                                                                                                                                                           Taking Maca daily for 6 weeks slightly improves blood pressure and some aspects of mood, including depression and anxiety, in postmenopausal women.

• Sexual desire:                                                                                                                                                                                                            Taking maca product daily for 12 weeks can increase sexual desire in healthy men.

• Tired blood (anemia).                                                                                                                                                                                              •  Leukemia.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
• Improving energy and athletic performance.
• Improving memory.
• Depression.
• Female hormone imbalance.
• Menstrual problems.
• Symptoms of menopause.
• Osteoporosis.
• Stomach cancer.
• Tuberculosis.
• Boosting the immune system.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Little is known about the safety and risks of short-term or long-term use of maca.
Since it is a natural food, it is generally believed to be safe in large doses.

* If you have one of the following conditions, you should not take maca without consulting your healthcare provider:

• Breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer.
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Thyroid disease

As with many other supplements, maca hasn’t been tested for safety in pregnant people, nursing mothers, children, those with medical conditions, or those who are taking medications.

Written by Osuegbu Lilian Nkechi

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Ginger

Ginger is a flowering tropical plant that grows in China, India, Africa, the Caribbean, and other warm climates. Ginger is a well-known natural treatment for diarrhea. It can help treat some of the causes of diarrhea and relieve gastrointestinal symptoms.

BENEFITS OF GINGER

1. Ginger may ease pain through anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of its gingerol compounds.

2. Ginger seems to help with nausea caused by vertigo. It helps with nausea caused by motion sickness, surgery, or chemotherapy.

3. Ginger helps with painful periods.

4. Ginger aids digestion and saliva flow. Ginger can ease nausea and vomiting in some pregnant women.

5. Ginger consumption may protect against coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular disease, and fatty liver disease, among other chronic conditions.

6. Many people use ginger to help recover from a cold or the flu.

 

Written by Osuegbu Lilian Nkechi

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GINKO BILOBA

Ginkgo Biloba is a popular supplement and one of the top-selling herbal medicines. The ginkgo tree, also known as the maidenhair tree, is one of the oldest species of trees in the world. Ginkgo Biloba extract is collected from the dried green leaves of the plant and is available as liquid extracts, capsules, and tablets.

Gingko contains high levels of flavonoids and terpenoids, antioxidants that provide protection against oxidative cell damage from harmful free radicals. In this way, antioxidants are believed to help reduce the risk of cancer.

Benefits

The therapeutic properties of the ginkgo plant are said to include;

  • Treatment for blood disorders
  • Improving eye health.
  • It may help with cognitive function.
  • Anxiety.
  • Memory enhancement, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.
  • Improved thinking and memory.
  • Better social behavior.
  • Better ability to perform everyday tasks.
  • Glaucoma.

Side Effects

Possible side effects of Ginkgo Biloba include;

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Stomach ache
  • Restlessness
  • Vomiting.

Form and Dosage

Ginkgo is available in capsule form, as tablets, liquid extracts, and dried leaves for teas.

In studies, adults used between 120 and 240 milligrams a day in divided doses. It appears to take 4 to 6 weeks before improvements are noticed.

 

written by: Oreoluwa Hassan

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Benefits of Lycopene

Lycopene is a type of organic pigment called a carotenoid. It is related to beta-carotene and gives some vegetables and fruits (e.g., tomatoes) a red color.

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that might help protect cells from damage. It’s found in tomato, watermelon, red orange, pink Lycopene is a plant nutrient with antioxidant properties. It’s the pigment that gives red and pink fruits, such as tomatoes, watermelons and pink grapefruit, their characteristic color.

some fruits containing lycopene include; grapefruit, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato purée, cooked sweet red peppers, papaya, watermelon, fresh tomatoes, apricot, rose hip, and guava.

HEALTH BENEFITS

STRONG ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES

Lycopene is an antioxidant in the carotenoid family. When free radical levels outnumber antioxidant levels, they can create oxidative stress in the body. Lycopene’s protective effects appear particularly beneficial to those with low blood antioxidant levels or high levels of oxidative stress.

PROTECT AGAINST CERTAIN TYPES OF CANCER

Lycopene’s strong antioxidant action prevent or slow down the progression of some types of cancer. This includes older adults and people who smoke or have diabetes or heart disease.

PROMOTE HEART HEALTH

Lycopene also help lower the risk of developing or prematurely dying from heart disease.
It reduces free-radical damage, total and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and increase “good” HDL cholesterol.

PROSTATE CANCER

Taking lycopene by mouth might slightly reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. It might also slightly reduce the risk of prostate cancer returning.

Other health benefits include;
-Protection against sunburn
-Promotes good eyesight
-Reduces pain
-Contributes to stronger bones
-Protects the brain

DOSAGE

There is currently no recommended daily intake for lycopene. However, from the current studies, intakes between 8–21 mg per day appear to be most beneficial.

Lycopene supplements are also available.

 

 

Written by: Oreoluwa Hassan

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Bacopa

Bacopa (bacopa monnieri, brahmi) is a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional ayurvedic medicine. It increases certain brain chemicals involved in thinking, learning and memory. It might also protect the Brain cells from chemicals involved in Alzheimer’s disease.

Brahmi is a powerful herb great for liver health, which is the main organ responsible for detoxification in the body.

The herb is also rich in antioxidants and helps the body stay focused, owing to it’s nootropic properties.
Bacopa is also considered to be a very powerful cardiotonic, nervine and diuretic.

HEALTH BENEFITS

1. May help lower blood pressure levels

High blood pressure is a serious health concern, as it places strain on your heart and blood vessels.

2. Contains powerful antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that help protect against cell damage caused by potentially harmful molecules called free radicals. Bacopa monnieri contains powerful compounds that may have antioxidant effects.

3. May have anticancer properties

Bacopa monnieri has been shown to block the growth and spread of cancer cells in test-tube and animal studies, but human research is needed to confirm these effects.

4. May boost brain function

Research suggests that Bacopa monnieri may help enhance brain function.

5. May reduce inflammation

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to help heal and fight disease.
However, chronic, low-level inflammation has been linked to many chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and heart and kidney disease

SIDE EFFECTS

Bacopa extract is POSSIBLY SAFE for adults when taken by mouth appropriately and short-term, up to 12 weeks.

Common side effects include increased bowel movements, stomach cramps, nausea, dry mouth, and fatigue.

Other rare side effects include;
-Thyroid disorders
-Lung conditions
-Ulcers
-Gastrointestinal tract blockage
-Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

DOSAGE

Bacopa is available in powder, capsule and tincture form. The typical dosage ranges from 1tbsp per day in powdered form.

 

Written by: Oreoluwa Hassan

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Thyme and Its Benefits

While thyme is commonly used to flavor food, this herb has been used since ancient times for different health and medicinal benefits and as a preservative. Today, it’s used in a wide variety of products ranging from mouthwashes to teas and even nasal sprays.

Thyme, which is from the mint family, has tiny, sage-green leaves and thin stalks. It can be used fresh, dried, or made into an essential oil. While there are many claims about thyme’s health benefits, most of them have yet to be confirmed by scientific research.

That said, thyme does contain the compound thymol, which can help control or neutralize some bacterial, parasitic, fungal, or viral infections. Research also suggests that it may have analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help with skin conditions, pain from bug bites, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.

Health Benefits

Thyme can be added to your foods, used as a tea, applied to your skin as an essential oil, gargled as thyme oil, or even inhaled. While there are various claims about the health benefits of thyme, scientific research is lacking in many areas or only based on animal research.

However, thyme has been shown to have some health benefits. Thyme oil is frequently used in mouthwashes to help with bad breath, prevent gingivitis, and help treat oral pathogens.

Fresh or dried thyme can be used as a substitute for salt when cooking to help decrease your salt intake or manage high blood pressure.

Thyme also can provide other health benefits like:

Potential Pain-relieving Properties

Thyme’s anti-inflammatory properties may help provide pain relief. Studies have found that thyme supplements offered pain relief from menstrual cramps similar to that provided by ibuprofen.

Some individuals with rheumatoid arthritis use thyme, either as a tea or topically, to alleviate symptoms. There is some evidence that thyme’s anti-inflammatory properties may help, but more research is needed before this can be confirmed.

Natural Cough-suppressant 

Thyme has been used as a home remedy for coughs, respiratory conditions, and bronchitis for years. Alternative medicine has used it as a tea and in aromatherapy. Research has shown some support for its use, though more studies are needed before its efficacy can be proven.

A small study in 2013 found the use of a thymol nasal spray helped reduce the severity and number of coughs and the urge to cough among participants.

Antimicrobial Properties

Thyme can be useful as a disinfectant thanks to its antifungal properties. Studies indicate that thyme may be useful as a disinfectant in homes with a low concentration of mold when used as an essential oil.

Help with Skin Conditions like Eczema and Acne

Thyme’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties may also help with skin conditions. It may help get rid of bacterial infections while also helping to reduce inflammation. As a result, it can help with the irritation and inflammation in conditions like eczema and acne.

Natural Insect Repellent

Thyme oil may help repel insects like mosquitoes. The oil in thyme, thymol, is often used as an active ingredient in bug repellents. You can make your own natural repellent by combining thyme oil with olive oil or water.

Nutrition

Thyme contains thymol and small amounts of other nutrients such as potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and magnesium.

Nutrients per Serving

A one-teaspoon serving of fresh thyme contains:

  • Calories: 0.8
  • Protein: 0 grams
  • Fat: 0 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 0.2 grams
  • Fiber: 0.1 grams

Portion Sizes and Safety

A serving of thyme is typically two tablespoons when fresh or one teaspoon when dried. Thyme is safe when used in normal amounts for cooking. However, if you plan to ingest it as an essential oil, you should bear in mind that it’s at a higher concentration in that form and may cause side effects. While fresh or dried thyme is safe to use as a flavoring in food when pregnant, it’s important to consult your doctor before ingesting it as an essential oil.

Thyme is generally safe. However, using too much, especially if ingesting it as an essential oil, can lead to a drop in your blood pressure or hypotension. If you are on high blood pressure medications or anticoagulants, consult your doctor before using thyme essential oil or supplements.

If you are allergic to plants in the mint family, consult your doctor before using thyme. Individuals who are allergic or sensitive to thyme have experienced nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting due to eating thyme. People with a sensitivity or allergy to thyme may experience a skin rash if it’s applied to their skin.

How to Prepare Thyme

You can grow thyme or purchase it fresh or dried from most grocery stores. Dried thyme can be stored at room temperature, and fresh thyme should be refrigerated or frozen. If you’re purchasing thyme as an essential oil, you can store it in the refrigerator or keep it in a dry, cool space away from direct sunlight.

Thyme is frequently used to add flavor to meats, seafood, stews, and soups. Here are some ways to use thyme in recipes:

  • Add fresh or dried thyme to vegetable, beef, or chicken stock
  • Use it in stews or soups for added flavor
  • Replace or cut back on salt in recipes by adding thyme
  • Infuse your favorite tea with thyme
  • Add thyme to your favorite chicken or pork recipes
  • Add fresh thyme as a topping to baked potatoes
Reference: Webmd
Written by: Omojo Emeje
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Everything You Need to Know About Aloe

Wounds

Aloe vera is a time-honored treatment. Alexander the Great used the clear gel-like sap in the middle of its leaves to heal their wounded soldiers’ wounds. And while there’s some evidence it can help some types of wounds, it may delay healing in others. Talk to your doctor about whether aloe products are right for your injury.

Burns

Here’s an area where aloe really seems to shine. A number of studies show that aloe ointments and creams can help burns, including sunburns, heal more quickly. Some substances in the aloe ease swelling and speed up healing, and others help your body repair the skin. But you need to see a doctor for:

  • A serious burn
  • A widespread burn
  • A burn on the hands, feet, face, groin, or buttocks
  • Any burn that looks infected
  • A burn that affects the airways
  • A burn that takes a long time to heal
  • A burn caused by chemicals or electricity

Psoriasis

Aloe extract cream seems to help some people with the dry, scaly, itchy, or painful skin it that comes with psoriasis. But aloe vera gel doesn’t seem to have the same effect, so ask your doctor if aloe cream could help you manage your psoriasis.

Cold Sores

The research is still early on this, but some of it shows aloe might help slow the growth of the virus that cause cold sores. Aloe extract cream may also help cold sores heal faster.

Genital Herpes

The same family of viruses (herpes simplex) that causes cold sores around your mouth can cause blistering sores on your private parts. In two research studies, men who used aloe cream on these sores healed faster than those who used aloe gel or a placebo cream. Part of the reason for this may be that aloe appears to slow the reproduction of the virus.

Acne

Research suggests that aloe gel may help clear up acne if you use it twice daily along with the prescription acne cream tretinoin (sold as Atralin, Retin-A, and others). In a separate study, doctors applied a standard 2-day wound-healing cream to a group of people after full-face dermabrasion, an acne treatment that sands the skin. When they added aloe to the cream on one side of the face, it healed much more quickly.

Dermatitis

This reaction causes swollen, red, itchy skin when you come in contact with something like detergents, soaps, poison oak, poison ivy, copper, grass, or nickel (in some jewelry). Aloe may help ease these symptoms along with those of seborrheic dermatitis, which often affects oily areas like your face, back, and chest.

Constipation

Aloe works as a laxative if you swallow it. That is, it may make you poop if you haven’t been able to go. But it can cause serious stomach cramps, diarrhea, and other unpleasant symptoms, and the FDA says there isn’t enough research to be sure it’s safe. So it’s best to stick with more tried and true options at your drugstore. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you aren’t sure which laxative is right for you.

Oral Lichen Planus

Aloe gel seems to safely help get rid of these white, spidery, patches on the tongue or inside of your mouth that may become blistered or painful. Studies suggest it works as well as standard treatments like topical steroids.

Diabetes

There’s evidence that aloe taken by mouth might help lower both blood sugar and cholesterol in some people with the condition. But it might interfere with medications like insulin, and it could make your blood sugar too low. Other studies, using different forms and doses of aloe, had different results. The bottom line: It isn’t clear if oral aloe is safe to use for diabetes. Scientists need more studies to sort these things out.

Aloe Effects to Avoid

Taken orally, just a gram a day could shut down your kidneys. You might have a bad reaction to aloe if you’re allergic to garlic, onions, tulips, or other members of the Liliaceae family. As a laxative, aloe could cause you to lose electrolyte minerals like potassium, which is a problem if you have kidney or heart disease. It may also harm your unborn baby if you’re pregnant.

Drug Interactions

The creams and gels are mostly OK, but the oral form can change how some of your medication works, especially diuretics, digoxin (Lanoxin) for heart issues, blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin), and diabetes meds. And remember that aloe vera is a dietary supplement, not a regulated drug. That means it’s hard to know exactly what’s in any aloe product. Tell your doctor about all supplements and medications you take, including aloe.

 

Reference: Webmd

Written by: Omojo Emeje

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Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

If you like spice, you’re probably familiar with the cayenne pepper. The long, thin, bright red Capsicum annuum is a member of the Solanaceae family. It’s related to other capsicums, including sweet bell peppers, jalapeños, poblanos, serranos, and the notoriously spicy ghost peppers. While not nearly as hot as the ghost pepper, the cayenne pepper still packs quite a punch.

The cayenne pepper is said to originate from Cayenne, French Guiana. It’s commonly dried and ground into a fine powder. It’s also used fresh in many recipes. It grows around the world in places such as India, East Africa, Mexico, and certain areas of the United States. In addition to being delicious, it adds a touch of heat to your food and provides some remarkable health benefits.

Health Benefits

Cayenne peppers can provide a variety of health benefits. These include:

Pain Relief

Cayenne peppers, like other spicy peppers, have capsaicin, the compound that gives them their “heat”. Applied topically, capsaicin can help to alleviate pain by reducing the amount of a neuropeptide known as substance P that travels to the brain to signal pain. With less substance P, feelings of pain decrease.

Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes itchy, scaly, red patches on the skin. While there is currently no cure, topical capsaicin creams can help to reduce itching and improve the skin’s appearance.

Metabolism Boost

Capsaicin increases the amount of heat that your body produces, boosting your metabolism and causing you to burn more calories. It’s also somewhat effective in reducing hunger, causing you to eat less throughout the day.

Digestive Health

Capsaicin stimulates the nerves in your stomach that send signals for protection against injury. The pepper may help to increase the production of digestive fluid, send enzymes to the stomach to aid in digestion, and provide extra protection to the stomach against infections.

Reducing High Blood Pressure

Based on animal studies, capsaicin may help to reduce high blood pressure, which also reduces the risk of developing heart disease.

Reducing Cancer Risk

Some studies show that capsaicin can slow cancer cell growth. It may even be able to kill cancer cells for certain types of cancer, including prostate, skin, and pancreatic.

Nutrition

Cayenne pepper, like other spicy peppers, has a compound known as capsaicin. It has many antioxidants, including:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Beta carotene
  • Cryptoxanthin
  • Choline
  • Lutein
  • Zeaxanthin

In addition to these nutrients, cayenne peppers also have:

  • Vitamin B1
  • Vitamin B2
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin K
  • Folate
  • Manganese
  • Potassium
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Selenium
  • Phosphorous
  • Zinc

Nutrients Per Serving

A single tablespoon (5.3 grams) of cayenne pepper has:

  • Calories: 17
  • Protein: 0.6 grams
  • Fat: 0.9 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 3 grams
  • Fiber: 1.4 grams
  • Sugar: 0.5 grams

Things to Watch Out For

Cayenne peppers are safe to eat, and are a delicious, spicy addition to many dishes. Eating too many, however, can cause some unwanted side effects, such as an upset stomach or heartburn. If you’re sensitive to spice, you may also feel an uncomfortable burning sensation in your mouth.

Cayenne pepper may also interact with certain medications, such as:

  • Blood thinners
  • Aspirin
  • Antacids
  • ACE Inhibitors

How to Use Cayenne Pepper

You’re more likely to find cayenne pepper as a ground spice, located with the rest of the spices in your local grocery store. Some stores carry fresh peppers in the produce section. When buying fresh, look for peppers that are bright, shiny, and firm. Avoid those that are wrinkly, soft, or have dark spots on them.

To store fresh cayennes, place them in a paper bag or wrap them in paper towels and place them in your refrigerator’s vegetable drawer. Avoid plastic bags, as they can collect moisture and cause your peppers to go bad faster. Only wash them when you’re ready to use them.

Fresh and ground cayenne pepper can be used in a variety of ways:

  • Add a dash of cayenne pepper to a soup or stew
  • Sprinkle it over egg dishes such as scrambled eggs, quiches, or egg salad
  • Mix it into hummus
  • Add a pinch of ground cayenne pepper to your hot chocolate
  • Stir into homemade lemonade for a delicious kick
  • Add fresh cayenne (or ground cayenne) to sautéed vegetables
  • Mix fresh peppers into your favorite cornbread recipe
  • Combine fresh peppers and lemon juice with cooked bitter greens such as collards or kale

 

Reference: Webmd

Written by: Omojo Emeje

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Ginger

Fights Germs

Certain chemical compounds in fresh ginger help your body ward off germs. They’re especially good at halting growth of bacteria like E.coli and shigella, and they may also keep viruses like RSV at bay.

Keeps Your Mouth Healthy

Ginger’s antibacterial power may also brighten your smile. Active compounds in ginger called gingerols keep oral bacteria from growing. These bacteria are the same ones that can cause periodontal disease, a serious gum infection.

Calms Nausea

The old wives’ tale may be true: Ginger helps if you’re trying to ease a queasy stomach, especially during pregnancy. It may work by breaking up and getting rid of built-up gas in your intestines. It might also help settle seasickness or nausea caused by chemotherapy.

Soothes Sore Muscles

Ginger won’t whisk away muscle pain on the spot, but it may tame soreness over time. In some studies, people with muscle aches from exercise who took ginger had less pain the next day than those who didn’t.

Eases Arthritis Symptoms

Ginger is an anti-inflammatory, which means it reduces swelling. That may be especially helpful for treating symptoms of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. You might get relief from pain and swelling either by taking ginger by mouth or by using a ginger compress or patch on your skin.

Curbs Cancer Growth

Some studies show that bioactive molecules in ginger may slow down the growth of some cancers like colorectal, gastric, ovarian, liver, skin, breast, and prostate cancer. But much more research is needed to see if this is true.

Lowers Blood Sugar

One recent small study suggested that ginger may help your body use insulin better. Larger studies are needed to see if ginger could help improve blood sugar levels.

Eases Period Pains

Got menstrual cramps? Ginger powder may help. In studies, women who took 1,500 milligrams of ginger powder once a day for 3 days during their cycle felt less pain than women who didn’t.

Lowers Cholesterol

A daily dose of ginger may help you battle your “bad” or LDL cholesterol levels. In a recent study, taking 5 grams of ginger a day for 3 months lowered people’s LDL cholesterol an average of 30 points.

Protects Against Disease

Ginger is loaded with antioxidants, compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body’s DNA. They may help your body fight off chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diseases of the lungs, plus promote healthy aging.

Relieves Indigestion

If you live with chronic indigestion, also called dyspepsia, ginger could bring some relief. Ginger before meals may make your system empty faster, leaving less time for food to sit and cause problems.

 

Reference: Webmd

Written by: Omojo Emeje

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Why Garlic is Good for You!

A new study shows red blood cells process compounds from digested garlic and turn them into the cell messenger hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow. Therefore, eating garlic may increase our natural supply of this vital chemical and play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease.

Previous studies on garlic’s health effects have produced mixed results. For example, some studies of garlic have found few benefits, but others have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease.

But researchers say if further studies confirm these findings, testing the ability to produce hydrogen sulfide may be used to standardize garlic supplements to produce greater health benefits.

Finding Garlic’s Effect

In the study, researcher Gloria Benavides, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues analyzed the effects of juice extracted from supermarket garlic on human red blood cells in the lab.

They found the red blood cells immediately began producing hydrogen sulfide after getting a tiny dose of garlic. The amount of garlic tested in the lab was roughly equal to two garlic cloves for a typical adult.

Further tests showed the key chemical reaction occurred at the membranes of the red blood cells, but a small amount of hydrogen sulfide was also produced inside the cells.

Few plants other than garlic contain the building blocks of hydrogen sulfide to provide these health benefits, and researchers say garlic is the only one commonly used in the human diet.

 

Reference: Webmd

Written by: Omojo Emeje

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