If you look back through history, garlic has been used for many things for hundreds of years. Garlic is a plant in the onion family and is closely related to shallots, leeks and onions. Egyptian, Babylonian, Greek, Chinese and Roman civilizations all referenced the use of garlic for its medicinal properties.

Most of the health effects of garlic are caused by allicin, a sulfur compound formed when the clove is crushed, chopped or chewed. Allicin is also responsible for the strong distinct smell of garlic. It has potent biological effects after it enters the body through digestion.

Garlic can help your immune system combat the common cold and other sickness. It has been shown that number of colds was reduced as well severity and length of the symptoms. High doses of garlic have been shown to reduce the days of sickness with colds or flu by 61%.

Garlic has been shown to improve cholesterol levels and lower triglyceride levels, both factors of heart disease.

Highly nutritious but garlic has very few calories. One ounce of garlic contains a gram of fiber, manganese, selenium, and vitamins B6 and C, as well as phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1, potassium, copper and calcium.

Garlic has been found to have a positive impact in helping reduce blood pressure for those with known hypertension. About four cloves of garlic per day achieved the desired effects.

Antioxidants that protect against cell damage and aging are also found in garlic. This could lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. The sulfur compounds in garlic have been shown to help detoxify heavy metals from the body.

There are so many reasons to include garlic in your diet. I personally drink a brew that contains fermented garlic, honey and apple cider vinegar every day. I have been taking it every day, 2 tablespoons, for over a year now. I was told about this brew by a woman who was diagnosed with cancer 4 years previously and has taken no traditional treatments. She takes this brew every day and passed her tumors and is still alive and well to tell us about it. I figured I could stomach that each day, all natural and couldn't hurt, right? I'm all for natural remedies.

As healthcare professionals and travel nurses it is so important to keep your immune system healthy so you can fight off all the hits your body takes every day from bacteria and virus in the healthcare environment. Add some garlic to your diet and improve your health the natural way!

Mary Crawford, HealthCare Employment Network.