It is beyond the scope of this article to detail all of the  wonderful properties of this remarkable medicinal plant. Many of the therapeutic effects of garlic are thought to be due to its volatile factors, which are composed of the sulfur-containing compounds, allicin, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, and others.

Additional constituents of garlic include other sulfur-containing compounds; high concentrations of trace minerals, particularly selenium and germanium; glucosinolates; and enzymes. Chopping, or crushing garlic stimulates the enzymatic process that converts the phytochemical alliin into allicin, a compound to which many of garlic health benefits are attributed.

Garlic appears to provide protection against atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Garlic has also demonstrated blood pressure-lowering action in many studies.

Garlic also has a long history of use as an infection fighter.

Garlic also appears to offer protection against some cancers.