OK, so you’ve used garlic countless times to ward off vampires. Who amongst us hasn’t?

But have you considered using this wonder bulb (Allium sativum, an offshoot of the onion genus) to keep your heart healthy too? When aged (for up to 20 months), the odorless extract from garlic known as aged garlic extract (AGE), has been clinically proven to ward off something far more threatening than the likes of Lestat or Dracula—heart disease.

The History of Garlic

Garlic as medicine has a long history.

• In Ancient Egypt

  Ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to 3700 B.C. contain drawings and carvings of garlic.

  Garlic as a remedy for heart disease, tumors, and headaches is documented in the Papyrus Ebers (an Egyptian herbal medicine guide from roughly 1550 B.C.).

• In Greek Antiquity

  Hippocrates (the guy responsible for the physician’s “First do no harm” Hippocratic oath) prescribed garlic back in the fourth century B.C. for parasites, poor digestion, respiratory problems, and fatigue.

• In The Middle East

  In the Middle and Far East, garlic has been used for centuries to treat bronchitis, liver disorders, colic, rheumatism, and fevers, to name just a few applications.

Modern Use of Garlic

• For Heart Health

  The National Library of Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), explains that garlic is widely used to treat atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, coronary disease, and hypertension and there are hundreds of studies documenting garlic’s benefits.

  Other benefits include throttling thrombosis (blood clots), lowering blood lipids (cholesterol), and stimulating your immune system to battle disease.

• For Cancer

  Garlic extracts have been proven to prevent cancer in animals.

  • Colon Cancer

    Studies show that the more garlic people consume, the lower the risk they have of developing gastric and colon cancers.

    The Iowa Women’s Health Study, after reviewing the diets of 41,000 middle-aged women, concluded that those who regularly ate fruits, veggies, and garlic had an up to 35 percent lower risk of colon cancer.

  • Prostate Cancer

    In men, garlic seems to shrink an enlarged prostate.

• For Cold / Flu

  Studies show that people who took garlic for 12 weeks during cold season got fewer colds and those who did catch cold had shorter-lasting symptoms than those in the placebo group.

Aged Garlic Extract

Specifically, AGE contains S-allylcysteine, an active and stable component that allows for standardized dosing.

Some research shows that AGE doesn’t cause bleeding problems when taken with certain blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin.

• Antioxidants

  When garlic is extracted for long periods of time, it produces antioxidants, such as allicin (which gives garlic its distinctive aroma), which help prevent oxidant damage and the hardening of your arteries.

  The chemical compounds in AGE also protect your DNA from damage caused by free radicals and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. A buildup of free radicals is thought to contribute to heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.

• For Cognition / Aging

  The NIH notes that research indicates that AGE may also help combat the loss of brain function associated with aging by increasing cognitive functioning, such as memory.

• For Toxicity

  There are also indications that AGE can protect against the toxic effects of certain cancer treatments, liver toxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride (an industrial chemical), and acetaminophen.

Most of us want to spend the holiday season socializing with friends and family, not spending quality time on the couch with a box of tissues. Unfortunately, this time of year also presents many opportunities to catch a bug. Try bolstering your immunity with the following natural strategies.

Natural Ways to Improve Immunity

• Breathe Clear

  Try moistening nasal passages with sprays or washes. Saline sprays or xylitol sprays help liquefy secretions, eliminating buildup. They also reduce inflammation, decrease postnasal drip, and flush mucus from your nose. Studies show that kids given xylitol products or nasal spray are less likely to develop ear infections.

• Exercise (But Not Too Hard)

  While too much intense exercise can weaken one’s immunity, moderate exercise improves the functioning of infection-fighting cells.

• Get Rest & Relaxation

  Chronic stress suppresses the immune system, increasing your chance for infection, so get enough relaxation and sleep.

• Take Vitamin D

  Vitamin D3 boosts immune cells. It can be challenging to get enough during the winter without supplementation. Research has linked low levels of vitamin D in the blood with greater susceptibility to flu, colds, and upper respiratory tract infections.

• Vitamin “C” the Light

  This vitamin helps produce anti-stress hormones and interferon, an immune system protein. It stimulates production of infection-fighting white blood cells. Find it in citrus fruits and veggies such as broccoli and kale. If you have a cold or the flu, “take vitamin C 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams (mg) every few hours while awake, then lower the dose if and when you get loose stools,” recommends Jacob Teitelbaum, MD.

• Gobble Garlic

  Garlic protects the body from illness and helps it recover more quickly from a virus. It also contains zinc. People deficient in this mineral tend to get sick more often. If you don't care for garlic, you can try odorless aged garlic extract.

• Think Zinc

  To relieve sore throats, Dr. Teitelbaum recommends zinc lozenges (containing 10 to 20 mg of zinc) four or five times daily. Take zinc within 24 hours of the first symptoms; it can shorten a cold by a day or more as well as lessen symptoms.

• Be “Pro” Probiotics

  Probiotics (“good” or “friendly” bacteria) improve immunity. They come from fermented foods (yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut) and can also be taken in capsule form.

• Make Room for Mushrooms

  Consider medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, maitake, and cordyceps. Reishi reduces stress and strengthens the immune system at the same time that it regulates excessive immune response, such as allergies and autoimmune diseases.  Maitake mushroom extract stimulates white blood cells that target bacteria. Cordyceps improves lung function in chronic bronchitis.

• Slurp Soup

  Chicken soup keeps you hydrated, eases congestion, and soothes your throat. Plus it tastes good.

• Find Ease with Echinacea

  Studies show that this herb can decrease the duration and severity of colds and flu.

• Savor Dark Chocolate

  You read that right. “Dark chocolate is an effective and tasty cough suppressant. It’s as effective as codeine,” says Dr. Teitelbaum.

• Sip Teas

  In addition to being hydrating, green tea and chamomile tea are rich in antioxidants. Many teas are also associated with relaxation, which may be helpful for boosting immunity. Blends that include echinacea, elderberry, slippery elm, or other immune-boosting and symptom-soothing ingredients can do double-duty on your cold.