Haven’t you heard? April is National Garlic Month (and today is Garlic Day!) With all of the Earth Month hullabaloo going on, it’s no wonder that this lesser known annual celebration in honor of the great Allium sativum has gone a bit unnoticed. Garlic, though pungent and often the cause of vampire-repellent breath, is quite beneficial to our health–plus it’s just so tasty!
Six Health Benefits of Garlic
Garlic is a great source of antioxidants, helping to boost the immune system stave off the common cold and seasonal allergies.
It’s great for the respiratory and circulatory system aiding with reducing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease and artery hardening.
Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties helping those with autoimmune diseases and skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema. Try rubbing garlic oil on inflamed skin the next time you get an itchy break-out!
It’s antibacterial properties may help kill bacteria like e. Coli and Staphylococcus aureus, reducing the risk of food poisoning.
Beat Athlete’s Feet — among its many other fine qualities, garlic has anti-fungal properties to boot. Soak your toes in warm garlicy water to cut the fungus that causes athlete’s foot.
Repel Mosquitoes: A study from India found that mosquitoes apparently hate garlic — the little blood suckers! Apply garlic directly to your skin or keep a few bulbs around the next time you’re hanging outdoors with friends on a warm summery evening.
In case this wasn’t enough garlic geekiness for you, read this post for more fun facts about garlic, including a chemical-free way to rid those pesky aphids from your garden. And the next time you’re hankering for a crunchy, salty snack try this recipe from the Surf and Sunshine Blog and get an antioxidant boost this Garlic Month!
Ingredients
1-9 oz bag or 1 cup spinach
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 tsp. fresh garlic, minced or sliced
salt and pepper, to taste
dash of cayenne pepper (or Old Bay for Maryland style!), to taste
Instructions
Add olive oil and garlic to bag of spinach and shake or mix spinach, olive oil and garlic in a bowl until spinach is coated.
Place a single layer on a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Sprinkle cayenne pepper (optional).
Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes and then turn off oven and let the spinach sit for another 5 minutes.
Best to eat immediately.