Old time remedy has odd reason for fighting colds and flu

I had to chuckle when I read this one...

There's an herb used in Italian cuisine called asafetida - when cooked it has an onion-like flavor. Some believe that when added to lentils or beans it will reduce flatulence.

But back in the early days of the 20th century, mothers used it to prevent children from colds and flu. They tied it in a bag and hung it on the children like a necklace. And it smelled so bad that no one wanted to come near them - thus cutting down on the transmission of colds and flu.

I don't suppose that's why they used it - they probably thought that breathing the herb kept the kids well. And maybe it did - who is to prove otherwise?

On that same note, my Grandmother said that when she was a young child in school (in the late 1890's and early 1900's) the Italian children came to school with garlic around their necks. Since I had never heard of asafetida, I suppose it doesn't grow around here, and that's why they used garlic instead.

The result of going to school with all those "garlicky" children was that for the rest of her life, my Grandmother didn't want anything to do with garlic. I don't think she even had it in the house.

And if you think about it, who could blame her? Think of a one room school-house with a wood stove, and all those wet, dirty coats drying around it. Kids weren't bathed daily in those days, either, so it must have been ripe! The smell of garlic was probably forever connected in her mind with the smell of that school room.

Garlic - for good taste and health benefits, too

Although I've always loved garlic, my Mother and my Grandmother hated it. They just could not stand the smell.

Why? Because as children going to school in a one room school house with lots of Italian kids, they had gotten an overdose. As well as having "garlic breath, those kids wore garlic on a string around their necks all winter.

That smell had mingled in my Mother's and Grandmother's minds with the smell of wet, dirty wool coats drying by the pot belly stove, and sweaty kids. In those days, there was no such thing as a shower every night before bed. Mom pulled the washtub out and got everyone cleaned up on Saturday night – so by mid-week those active kids were pretty ripe.

That's why I had to chuckle today when I read the latest newsletter from pillfreesupplements.com.

It's all about the benefits of garlic. Here's the quote: "Taking raw garlic or garlic supplements can also help to prevent colds and to treat colds as well. Many people start taking garlic when they have a cold and they actually notice that they begin to improve. Scientific studies show that garlic indeed does help boost the defense systems of the body, helping it to fight off problems, such as colds."

Other benefits are in preventing heart disease and cancer, and in reducing high blood pressure. To learn more, visit www.pillfreesupplements.com

Here's to good food that's good for you!

Marte

Nature's Blood Pressure Reducer: Garlic

Friends have told me many times that garlic was good for reducing blood pressure, but I hadn't seen that news in print until this week.

According to a Reader's Digest article, studies really do show that it's true. Garlic helps to lower blood pressure and thin blood - preventing heart attacks.

The interesting part was that they found that the garlic doesn't have to be raw. It can be baked or boiled for up to 3 minutes and still retain the same healing properties. AND if you crush it, it can cook for up to 6 minutes.

Combine that with a recipe tip I read recently saying "For best flavor, add garlic during the final few minutes of cooking," and it's all good news.

But there is one caution: The same article said that if you cook the garlic in a microwave, it loses all of it's health-giving properties. So... no microwaves if you're using garlic for heart health.