Curious About Garlic? Here Are The Health Benefits To Eating It Raw

The first time I had raw garlic, I was making a homeopathic tincture for strep throat. The concoction was completely rancid: raw garlic, cayenne pepper, and local honey delivered by spoon every few hours. I was sure I’d be in urgent care by morning.

Instead, the strep was gone. Twenty-four hours later. So I looked into this miracle, and discovered the whole thing worked as a 1-2-3 punch. The honey coated my throat while the cayenne pepper drew blood to it. Then, the garlic stimulated my immune system to do its thing. And voila.

But garlic can’t deliver that kind of a knockout blow to bacteria, can it?

Turns out, yes it can—and those in the know have been harnessing garlic’s powers since ancient Egypt (although it's been doing its thing since long before that). 

Here are seven of the most amazing health benefits of the plant. And remember: Individual results may vary, and you should always consult your doctor before trying a new medicine, treatment, or otherwise making a decision when it comes to your health.