Alvin H. Danenberg, DDS • Nutritional Periodontist
June 6, 2016 [printfriendly]
QUESTION: Is food medicine?
ANSWER: Yes!
But, a spoonful of this concoction is powerful medicine.
I’ve discussed nutrient-dense foods many times in the past. They represent one of my 4 Pillars of Health. All are important for support of cellular health and a strong immune system. However, here is a very special combination of two nutrient-dense foods. A combination that makes them more powerful than each individually. Actually, they are a combination of a plant and an animal product. The brew is organic raw garlic and raw honey working synergistically.
Garlic
For thousands of years, garlic has been used as medicine. Egyptians used it to treat infections and physical weakness. Ancient Greeks used it. Ancient Romans used it. Ayurvedic physicians in India used it. The ancient Chinese and Japanese used it. They all used it for its powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antiviral properties – even if those societies didn’t know how garlic worked. A significant element in garlic, known as allicin, has been shown to be a major factor providing these health benefits. Allicin is an oxygenated sulfur compound.
Honey
Honey is another great medicine – one that is made by honeybees. I’ve written about honey in several articles. HERE. HERE. Throughout recorded history, honey has been used for its antibiotic activity and its wound healing ability. I am talking about raw honey from a local beekeeper – not the kind that is filtered, pasteurized, processed, and packaged in cute plastic bottles resembling cuddly bears. Raw honey is loaded with antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and other biochemical substances science has yet to elucidate. Honey’s antimicrobial action has been studied and has been shown to depend on its hydrogen peroxide and acid production, its high sugar concentration, and other compounds.
The Concoction: Organic Garlic & Raw Honey
Much research has proven the medicinal benefits of garlic and honey. However, this peer-reviewed article demonstrates that the benefits of garlic and honey are even more pronounced when they are combined.
You can make this concoction easily. Peel and then chop some organic raw garlic, and let stand for about 15 minutes to activate its allicin content. Add it to several tablespoons of raw honey. For me, I use about 2 teaspoons of chopped raw garlic to approximately 4 tablespoons of raw honey.
Stir and eat. It will be sweet and pungent with a crunch from the bits of raw garlic – a great combination of flavors, texture, and a powerful punch of medicine. Use a spoonful or more anytime you want to give a boost to your immune system.
