Garlic has been a cure all for many ailments over the years, it has been used for bladder infections, asthma, toothaches, ear infections, colds, diarrhea, and high blood pressure, just to name a few things I’ve come across. Now researchers have found that garlic contains allicin which is an antimicrobial agent that forms when garlic is pierced or crushed.  Garlic also contains lots of vitamin C which is also thought to be an immune system booster.  I have read that allicin only works if garlic is raw but other things I’ve read indicated that cooked garlic is also good for colds, even if it is different agents working in the garlic.  Use real garlic for the health benefits though, not garlic powder, garlic salt, or the canned garlic, fresh is best.

To get both cooked and raw garlic into our diet when we have colds I’ve tried a couple of things.  If you want to find a way to get raw garlic into you’re diet try making a fresh salsa.  For cooked garlic, The New York Times publishes Recipes for Heath which is a column that revolves around a particular ingredient that has health benefits and then provides several recipes with the ingredient.  I’ve made several of these in the past and they’ve all been really tasty.  They did a series on garlic and I’ve started making their garlic broth based tortilla soup now when either Jeremy or I are getting a cold, which actually seems to help, and it’s really tasty.  We usually eat it for dinner so we don’t have horrible garlic breath for anyone who has to be around us.  It is great dressed up with a few tortilla chips, some cumin, avocado, cilantro, chips, cheese, sour cream, and / or lime.  I usually just make a plate of these sides so everyone can make their tortilla soup to their liking.  It is a vegetarian recipe but the first time I made it Jeremy didn’t even realize there was no meat in it, to his disappointment.

Garlic Broth recipe - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/health/nutrition/01recipehealth.html

Tortilla Soup recipe - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/health/nutrition/04recipehealth.html

They also have recipes for a couple of other soups based on this garlic broth, which I have not tried:

Egg Lemon Soup - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/health/nutrition/05recipehealth.html

Rich Garlic Soup with Lemon and Pasta Shells - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/health/nutrition/03recipehealth.html

Garlic Soup with Potatoes and Brocolli - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/health/nutrition/02recipehealth.html

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