Garlic: The Natural Antibiotic that Fights Infections.

• Fresh crushed garlic in food

• Raw garlic cloves

• Garlic oil or aged garlic extract supplements

• Herbal preparations

A practical tip: crushing garlic and letting it sit for about 10 minutes before cooking can help maximize allicin formation.

Possible side effects:

• Heartburn or stomach irritation

• Bad breath/body odor

• Increased bleeding risk in high amounts, especially with blood thinners

If someone is pregnant, preparing for surgery, or taking medications like anticoagulants, they should be cautious with high-dose garlic supplements.

For the antimicrobial chemistry behind garlic, the key reaction is the formation of allicin from alliin after crushing the clove: