ISLAMABAD, August 27 (Online): Cooking with garlic, eating it raw, or taking garlic supplements is a staple home remedy for common colds. Studies show that adults typically have two to four colds a year, on average, while children have six to eight. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, garlic is one of the best selling herbal supplements in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is not enough evidence to determine whether garlic can prevent or treat the common cold. Some results suggest that it could be helpful, however. A 2014 review included a study that found that participants who took garlic every day had fewer colds than participants who received placebos. Researchers used aged garlic extract (AGE) in another study, which explored the effects of garlic on the immune system. The authors noted that participants who took AGE reported fewer and less severe symptoms if they did catch a cold. These results suggest that taking AGE could help reduce inflammation. There may be a direct link between one of the most distinctive qualities of garlic — its smell — and its useful properties. Crushed garlic’s characteristic scent comes from allicin, which is effective against … Continue reading Does garlic help prevent or treat colds?