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Recipes with Garlic (raw): Roasted Beet Puree with Lemon & Coriander
Raw garlic's benefits are many.
A spicy root, garlic is known for clearing, which flushes everything out of your body. One student writes, "At first taste it was like a bee stinging my tongue.... my whole body got very warm."
Clears Your Respiratory System
Garlic's hot nature penetrates, breaking up any stagnation.
This is most useful in congested Kapha conditions, especially during the spring. Its heat flushes out your sinuses, and you may feel your nose get tingly when you eat it.
Garlic's anti-inflammatory compounds reduce swelling in the nose, sinuses, and Eustachian tubes, helping to clear all the channels of your head. It even flushes your eyes and tear ducts.
Notice the warmth and heat that spreads to your chest, a sign that garlic is heating up and clearing your lungs. One student writes, "I felt good and as if my whole lungs opened up." Your ears may even feel warm.
Supports Your Circulation & Immunity
Aromatic compounds, like garlic, make you sweat (garlic is a diaphoretic). When you eat garlic, you may notice your face becomes flushed. As it dilates blood vessels, it flushes your circulatory system and cleanses your lymphatic system as well.
The circulatory, stimulating effects of raw garlic also improve your immunity, as your immune system lives in your blood.
Garlic's heat and circulatory properties can help you "sweat out a fever," while its antifungal properties counteract candida infections. One student noted, "I ate raw garlic once when I had a fever and it [the fever] completely went away after I ate the garlic."
A Hot & Stimulating Aphrodisiac
The heating, circulatory stimulating effects of garlic have given it fame as an aphrodisiac.
Clears Your Bowels
Raw garlic clears your bowels because of its sharp pungency.
The hot, irritating nature of garlic can cause gurgling, gas, bloating and diarrhea. As the heat pushes your blood upwards, you may notice a slight pressure in the frontal lobe of your brain that could erupt into a headache or make you irritable.
When you eat raw garlic it's possible your sweat and breath will smell like garlic..
One student writes, "I was burping the taste of garlic the whole day, my hot flashes flared up and it make me very uncomfortable"
If raw garlic is too strong for you, cook it, which mellows it out.
Cooked garlic is sweeter than its raw version. While raw garlic is very stimulating, cooked garlic has a strong sleepy (soporific) effect.
Garlic is considered unctuous and vitiates (corrupts) the blood.
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how to use Garlic (raw) medicinally
The typical recommended daily dosage of raw garlic for health benefits is 1 to 2 cloves per day. This is considered a safe and effective amount to help support various health benefits, such as boosting the immune system and potentially lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Here are a few points to keep in mind:
1 clove of raw garlic contains about 4-5 grams.
If you're just adding garlic to your meals, aim for about 1-2 cloves a day, which is enough for most people to experience its benefits without risk of side effects.
For medicinal purposes (like boosting heart health or immunity), some people may consume more, but it's important not to exceed around 3-4 cloves per day to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort or other issues.
Find out by taking this free, easy quiz.
You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Garlic (raw)' is a good fit.
Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes
at your own leisure to learn more about your body.
AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT
Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances.
With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you.
Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature.
By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health.
See How it Works.
Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(gunas).
Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick.
Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food.
Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body.
Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food.
Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods.
Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion.
Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste.
One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes.
The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia.
They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature.
Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Garlic (raw)
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
An herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.
Stimulant laxatives induce bowel movements by stimulating peristaltic movement (the contraction of smooth muscle in the intestines). They are effective when used on a short-term basis. On a long-term basis, they can create dependency. Aka irritant laxativ
Fibrosis of an organ is often a progressive leading to organ failure (i.e lungs, liver, kidney). While vulneraries usually help restore collagen, antifibrotic herbs often clear collagen. Aka fibrinolytic.
Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.
Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions.
STRONG ANTIMICROBIAL
An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.
STRONG ANTIVIRAL
Herbs that inhibit the development of viral infections. Antivirals also can be found in essential oils of some herbs, such as eucalyptus oil.
STRONG VASODILATOR
A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.
An herb that inhibits clotting, dissolves clots, thins the blood, or destroys platelets, therefore reducing the tendency of blood to form clots. They are useful in cardiovascular disease, clots, and stroke. Aka anticoagulant.
Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.
Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.
Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.
Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.
In each study below, students from the
Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the effects.
See other studies of food & herbs at Joyful Belly.
TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION
How did Garlic Raw affect your temperature?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0
3
21
5
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your sweat quantity?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
1
11
15
2
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the color of your tongue body?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
20
0
9
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the swelling of your tongue body?
26
21
16
11
6
1
5
2
22
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your appetite/hunger?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
3
11
12
1
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your digestion speed?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
22
4
1
1
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
TOXINS
How did Garlic Raw affect the amount of gas & bloating?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
5
11
10
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your stool smell?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
0
14
15
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
15
11
3
0
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the color of your tongue coating?
25
20
15
10
5
0
5
0
0
4
20
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your urine smell?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
0
18
10
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
30
24
18
12
6
0
1
0
26
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your sweat smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0
6
22
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
HYDRATION
How did Garlic Raw affect your urine frequency/quantity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0
22
5
2
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the cracks on your tongue?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
3
21
5
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
NERVOUS-SYSTEM
How did Garlic Raw affect your energy levels?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
1
13
13
0
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your muscle tension?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
5
19
4
0
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your anxiety?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
4
21
3
1
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the stillness of your tongue?
31
25
19
13
7
1
3
24
2
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
DIGESTION
How did Garlic Raw affect the amount of gas & bloating?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
5
11
10
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your appetite/hunger?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
3
11
12
1
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your digestion speed?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
22
4
1
1
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
TONGUE
How did Garlic Raw affect the swelling of your tongue body?
26
21
16
11
6
1
5
2
22
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the stillness of your tongue?
31
25
19
13
7
1
3
24
2
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the cracks on your tongue?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
3
21
5
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
15
11
3
0
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the color of your tongue body?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
20
0
9
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the color of your tongue coating?
25
20
15
10
5
0
5
0
0
4
20
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
STOOL
How did Garlic Raw affect your stool smell?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
0
14
15
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your stool consistency?
20
16
12
8
4
0
4
17
6
2
0
Much softer
Slightly softer
Same
Slightly harder
Much harder
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your stool frequency/quantity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0
10
19
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your stool color?
25
20
15
10
5
0
6
0
2
1
20
More yellow
More gray
More green
More orange
Same
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your stool lightness?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
10
14
4
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly darker
Much darker
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
URINE
How did Garlic Raw affect your urine clarity?
21
17
13
9
5
1
2
18
9
More cloudy
Same
More clear
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your urine smell?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
0
18
10
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your urine lightness?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
4
23
2
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly Darker
Much Darker
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your urine frequency/quantity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0
22
5
2
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
30
24
18
12
6
0
1
0
26
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
SWEAT
How did Garlic Raw affect your sweat smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0
6
22
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your sweat quantity?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
1
11
15
2
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
SYSTEMIC
How did Garlic Raw affect your muscle tension?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
5
19
4
0
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your anxiety?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
4
21
3
1
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your temperature?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0
3
21
5
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
How did Garlic Raw affect your energy levels?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
1
13
13
0
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 29 Study ID:107 (2021-03-23 - 2022-08-08)
Garlic (raw) may be beneficial for these symptoms.
The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual.
Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.
CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS
Garlic (raw) may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms.
Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.
Raw garlic is widely praised for its health benefits, but there are a few contraindications and precautions to consider:
Gastrointestinal Issues - Raw garlic can be quite strong and may cause digestive discomfort, such as gas, bloating, heartburn, or upset stomach, especially when consumed in large amounts.
Blood Thinners/Anticoagulants - Garlic has natural anticoagulant (blood-thinning) properties, which can increase the risk of bleeding, especially when taken with medications like warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin. People on blood thinners should consult their doctor before consuming large amounts of raw garlic.
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) - Garlic may lower blood sugar levels, which could potentially lead to hypoglycemia in individuals taking diabetes medication. Monitoring blood sugar levels is important if you're on such medications.
Low Blood Pressure - Garlic can have a mild hypotensive effect (lower blood pressure). This could be an issue for individuals already on medication for high blood pressure or those with naturally low blood pressure.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding - While moderate amounts of garlic in food are generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, large amounts or garlic supplements should be avoided unless approved by a healthcare provider.
Breathing Issues in Asthma - Some individuals with asthma may find that raw garlic triggers respiratory issues or worsens their symptoms.
Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Garlic (raw). Please see your health care provider for more information.
Antiplatelet: Avoid if taking blood thinners.
Blood-thinner: Patients on warfarin (coumadin) and other anticoagulants, or who have clotting difficulties, should take special caution to only use blood thinners under the supervision of a medical doctor.
Cholagogue: Anything that strengthens or cleanses the liver can clear drugs more quickly, requiring a higher dose.
Decongestant: For decongestants whose mechanism is vasoconstriction, could potentially increase blood pressure.
Diuretic: Diuretics may clear pharmaceutical drugs more quickly, lowering the effect. Avoid if taking water pills or pharmaceutical diuretics.
Hypolipidemic: May magnify the effect of cholesterol lowering drugs.
Hypotensive: Herbs that lower blood pressure can magnify the effect of blood pressure reducing pharmaceuticals.
View other ingredients for Spring
Garlic (raw) is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring foods here.
Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when
right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in
Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire
reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once
you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy,
& botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.
Want our top Ayurvedic recipes and health tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter!
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
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