It could be that you live in a time of vampires and werewolves. In this case, sleeping with a clove of garlic under your pillow should also be supported by a silver cross above your bed, holy water at the door, and a wooden stake at your right hand. But even if you don’t live in medieval Transylvania, there are still magical properties claimed for this legendary, yet humble vegetable.
It is claimed garlic can help you to have a restful sleep; that consuming it can give you greater energy. You can use it to ward off the common cold; and that its anti-bacterial properties can be used to heal small wounds on the surface of the skin.
Benefits of Sleeping with a Garlic Clove
What is Garlic?
Garlic (scientific name Allium sativum) is a root vegetable species in the onion genus. It is native to Central Asia and North-eastern Iran. It has long been used as a source of food flavoring and has been used in traditional medicine since the time of the Ancient Egyptians.
Ancient Romans and Greeks are said to have used it not just to flavor food but also to cure illnesses. It is claimed to have natural anti-bacterial effects that were utilized to ward off smallpox, common colds, and “dropsy”.
Garlic has a strong aroma that lingers on the breath when ingested. It is common in dishes from the Mediterranean and Asia. It is often combined and served with onions. When cooked, the flavor is retained but the key vitamins and minerals are lost through the heating process.
The Science Behind Garlic for Insomnia
Garlic contains several nutrients including vitamins B6, thiamin, and pantothenic acid; vitamin C; and the dietary minerals: manganese, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Several medical research studies have investigated the claimed effects of garlic when treating disease. There appears to be evidence that suggests high levels of garlic consumption can reduce the risk of prostate cancer in some circumstances. There is also evidence that the vitamins and trace minerals in garlic can help alleviate the effects of the common cold.
There is evidence that too much topical application of garlic directly to the skin or as garlic oil on the skin can result in minor burns.
In areas where mosquitoes are problematic, consuming garlic can help deter them. The sulfur-containing compounds which are released when garlic cloves are crushed are natural deterrents for insects. Growing garlic amongst vegetables and flowers can also deter slugs from approaching the area.
Garlic Under your Pillow?
Recipe for a healthy life: from one garlic bulb, take one clove of fresh garlic. Take care not to crush the clove. Retain the paper cover around the clove. Place the clove under your pillow at night. In the morning, remove the clove and discard it. Repeat each night.
Does the recipe work? Maybe. Some trace elements are released as the heat of your body warms the clove. It generates an aroma that permeates the air around your pillow. Zinc, in particular, is an element that has anti-bacterial effects.
Does it do any harm? No. And it’s not too expensive either. But don’t leave each clove in place for too long. Change it daily. If you are expecting overnight guests, it is best to remove any traces of garlic and wash the bed linen to remove any lingering garlic aroma. (pillow inside)
