For millennia herbs have been used by many civilizations as the gold standard for healing. In the Americas, aside from the native citizens and a few others, herbs have not yet been widely accepted. Once considered by many as just part of native folklore this perception, however, is rapidly changing. For instance, take Germany and their Commission E report. A number of years ago this first rate nation’s government, recognizing the medicinal and healing potential some herbs could offer, set up Commission E, as it is commonly known, to study herbs in that context. This study group used the “scientific approach” in discharging its responsibilities. Several years later The Commission E Monographs came into being, but of course, they were in German. Not long afterward, however, they were translated into English and I had the opportunity and joy of acquiring a copy shortly thereafter. The entity behind this English version is the American Botanical Council, of Austin, Texas.

I am going to be dealing in this article with just one herb which I have used for a number of years to treat some of my own sinus problems, and still do so today at the first sign that one of them would like to show again its ugly face. First a caveat: Please, remember this when using herbs:

• Herbs lose their medicinal effect in about 2 weeks after you begin to use them. Stop for a couple of weeks and then you can restart
• Do not buy herbs with a dated shelf life expiring in less than a year
• Buy “standardized” herbs, whenever possible. The label should say so The one herb that perhaps is one of the most significant is going to, very likely,surprise you. This is what my regular doctor, an MD, told me once: “It is the most important of all herbs.” And with this short preface, please, allow me to introduce you to: Garlic.

That’s right. I didn’t make a mistake. It’s garlic, but not presented to you as a savory, very pungent, tongue biting cooking herb, but as a medicinal herb. I have studied and used it for years and the more I do the more amazed I am at its healing properties. Let me give you a quick starter–which falls a bit beyond the scope of this article:

• It has a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effect
• Lowers high blood pressure
• Kills cold and flu germs
• Helps prevent heart attacks
• Fights: anemia, diabetes, hypoglycemia, acne, constipation, cancer
• Gives strong support to the immune system
• It’s nature’s “antibiotic” of sorts

It is the last two properties of garlic that would be of interest to you–baring, of course, that you may have other ailments that may be included in the above list, in which case the lowly and pungent bulb could even be of more interest to you. Whether you have a tendency to sinusitis, or sinus pressure, congestion, drainage, sinus headaches, sinus infection, especially the latter, it can help you prevent a serious infection or stop one that has just started. Garlic, to be effective as a sinus infection fighter or preventer, must be used at the very outset of the suspected infection. If one waits to see what is going to happen before using it, then it could be too late. Since there are no side effects involved–save the peculiar odor–it’s best to go for it since the cost, etc., more than outweighs the potential benefits. By the way, the odor factor can be neutralized by chewing and eating some parsley sprigs.

The active ingredient in garlic is allicin. It is not produced unless the cloves are crushed or minced. Now a days it is possible to buy allicin by itself from almost any purveyor of herbs or at a health foods store. I buy mine through the internet, it’s substantially cheaper that way.

Do your own research about this lowly, but powerful healing bulb and you, too, may become amazed and a regular user.