GARLIC

Garlic has the Latin name Allium sativum Linn. Word all means odor and sativum means cultivated. Local name: garlic (Malay), lasun (Aceh), dasun (Minangkabau), lasuna (Batak), handak onions, bacong landak (Lampung), onions (Java), bodas onions (Sunda), babang pole (Madura), kasuna (Bali), kasihong onions (Dayak), lasuna kebo (Makassar), lasuna pute (Bugis), pia mapoti (Gorontalo) bawa bodudo (Ternate), incuna (Nusa Tenggara), kalfeo foleu (East).

These plants come from mainland Asia and is grown in Indonesia, is a bulbous herb plant cloves layered or tiered. Garlic grows cluster and stand up to a height of 30-75 cm. Having a pseudo-stem is formed from the stem-leaf midrib. Leaves resemble the shape of a ribbon, flattened and elongated. Each bulb consists of a number of child onion (cloves) and every clove wrapped in a thin white skin. Root consists of fibers of small amounts to many. There are varieties of garlic that produce flowers, but some are not. Small flowers, the color pink.

Every 100 grams of garlic bulbs containing 4.5 grams of protein, 0.20 grams of fat, 23.10 grams of carbohydrate, 0.22 mg vitamin B1, 15 mg of vitamin C, 95 calories of calories, 134 mg of phosphorus, 42 mg calcium, 1 mg of iron, and 71 grams of water. Garlic also contains the active substance awcin, awn, enzymes alinase, germanium, sativine, sinistrine, selenium, scordini, nicotonic acid.

The mineral content contained in garlic, such as selenium and several enzymes such as allinase, peroxidase, myrosinase, and others. Of the various contents contained in garlic, which is the highest sulfur content of other minerals. The sulfur compounds of garlic gives a lot of drug efficacy is also responsible for the pungent smell produced this spice. The smell of garlic is formed by the action of the allinase enzyme on alliin sulfur compounds. This enzyme is inactivated by heat, so when you cook garlic, aroma produced not as strong as the smell of raw garlic.

Garlic became very famous because of drug efficacy alicin content. Garlic when crushed or cut or injury, garlic activates the enzyme allinase, which transform alliin into allicin. Allicin content can be broken in a few hours at room temperature and in a few minutes during the cooking process.

Allilcin have antimicrobial effect against many viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. In addition to the content allilcin, garlic also contains anjone.

Ajoene is a compound derived from garlic produced allicin. Anjone has the advantage of greater chemical stability when compared allicin. Several clinical trials anjone has anti-thrombotic, anti-microbial and lowering cholesterol. Ajoenes has proven: it has antithrombotic (anticlotting) activity in human platelet suspension; has antitumor activity, antifungal, disable the human gastric lipase, sulfhydryl enzyme involved in the digestion and absorption of dietary fat; functions as an antioxidant by inhibiting leukocyte interactions that mediate the release of superoxide anion.

Ajoene potent as aspirin in preventing blood clotting platelets sticky and red making it useful for preventing heart attacks and strokes.

Garlic also contains two compounds S-allylcysteine ​​and S-allylmercapto-L-cysteine ​​is useful for inhibiting tumor growth.

Conditions of Growth

Lowland garlic plant growing in almost all soil types, but the best on medium textured soils (clay to sandy loam). Suitable soil pH is 5.6 to 6.8 and good drainage. Although garlic is generally heat-resistant, but it can only grow well in areas that have cold temperatures (<25 °C in certain months). The cold temperature is required especially during tuber formation and enlargement plant. In Indonesia, the best planting time for garlic lowland that is in May, June or July.

Benefits of Garlic for Health

Owned properties of garlic are also useful for diseases related to the circulatory system and the heart. Efficacy of garlic to lower cholesterol, prevent coronary heart disease and many types of diseases are able to be prevented and cured by using garlic. Here are some diseases that can be cured by garlic

1.   Toothache

2.   Gas stomach

3.   Increase metabolism

4.   Curing constipation

5.   Against Cancer

6.   Lowering blood pressure

7.   Lowering Cholesterol

8.   Drug hemorrhoid

9.   Cough asthma and colds

10. Bruises and injuries sharps

11. Wound because of a sharp object rusty

12. Pinworms and stomach worms

Benefits of Garlic For Beauty

In addition to health benefits, garlic is also beneficial for beauty are:

1.   Natural Acne Medication

2.   Smooth Skin

3.   Prevent Aging

4.   Eliminate Blackheads

Side effects

Garlic cause fewer side effects, but high doses can cause upset stomach or bowel disorders, such as burning sensation in the mouth or stomach, heartburn, gas, nausea, vomiting, body odor, and diarrhea. It can even pose a great risk of postoperative bleeding that where this is particularly the case when used raw garlic. Additionally, the smell can be regarded as a less savory side effects.

Usage As Spices

Garlic including the type of seasoning that comes from the tubers. Are the main ingredients in the kitchen Asia. Garlic gives savory flavor in dishes with a strong aroma.