Benefits Of Putting A Clove Of Garlic Under The Pillow

Garlic is a food that has multiple uses in the kitchen and, according to popular beliefs, it can also be used in other areas.

According to popular beliefs, putting a clove of garlic under your pillow may have some health benefits. Now, where does this idea come from and why do some people think it can be effective?

Garlic is a food that has a very particular flavor and aroma. For this reason, it has been used for centuries as a condiment in a large number of preparations, from dishes with oriental flavors to dishes in the purest Mediterranean style. Moreover, it has been included in various home remedies.

Where would the ‘power’ of garlic come from?

As we have been commenting, garlic is a food with a very particular and quite strong smell and taste. However, it is still one of the most commonly consumed foods in the world,  either as part of a meal or as a remedy.

Precisely because of its smell and taste, in the past it was frequently used as a remedy for infections, a pest repellent and also as an element to scare away demons and bad energies. However, this has been taking a back seat.

In recent decades there have been people who have claimed that its sulfur compounds could promote decongestion of the respiratory tract, but this is nothing more than a myth.

Garlic has some compounds with some medicinal potential, but this cannot be exploited in any way and further research is needed.

In any case, while it is true that garlic is an excellent seasoning for dishes, there is no scientific evidence to indicate that it serves to improve health or protect against diseases or bad energy, even though these benefits have been attributed to it in the past.

Garlic is an excellent seasoning, but nothing more

Garlic is a food that, within a healthy diet, can provide benefits. However, on its own it is not capable of making a significant contribution.

• Garlic can contain up to 100 kcal per 100 grams. However, since its consumption does not contribute to weight gain.
• In addition, garlic is a food that contains complex carbon hydrates.
• It is believed that the calories and protein in garlic may help improve physical and mental performance.
• Its B-complex vitamins and essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium are also said to help support the health of the entire body.

However,  most of the health benefits are associated with its content of allicin, a specific sulfur compound that is obtained when fresh garlic is peeled and cut.

Although it has come to believe that the allicin in garlic could help treat various diseases and infections, in order for it to provide benefits, it must be harnessed in certain ways.

In other words, allicin is not foolproof in all cases, but must be used in certain contexts for it to provide significant benefits. This is one of the aspects that scientists have yet to clarify, given the lack of consensus that exists on the evidence found in different studies.

Why put a clove of garlic under your pillow?

One of the ways in which it is believed that you could take advantage of the benefits of garlic is by placing a clove under your pillow.

Garlic would supposedly help you get a good night’s rest. This would be so because the sulfurous compounds in garlic would spread (along with its smell) and exert a calming effect that would induce deep and restful sleep.

Although at first it would be difficult to get used to the smell, as the days go by it would not represent a problem. In addition to helping you sleep better, it would help to renew energy and improve daily physical performance. In this way, it would help to better assume the day.

Would garlic help you sleep better?

It is believed that by consuming the garlic drink that we are going to comment on next, you could take advantage of the nutrients in this food and, in addition, get a good night’s sleep.

Supposedly, this drink is a natural preparation with relaxing properties. 

Ingredients

• 1 glass of milk (250 ml)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Optional: honey (1 teaspoon)

Preparation

• Pour the milk into a saucepan.
• Add the crushed garlic and simmer for three minutes.
• After this time, wait for it to rest.
• Add the honey and consume it.
• Supposedly, the ideal would be to drink this preparation at least 30 minutes before going to bed.

Good habits do contribute to health

To enjoy health and well-being, the best thing you can do is maintain good life habits and, above all, be consistent and coherent with it.

Adding a clove of garlic is not going to make you healthier or better protected against disease, but adopting a healthy lifestyle will. Therefore, bet on a balanced diet, good hydration and an exercise routine according to your needs, without ever neglecting the advice given by your doctor.