Garlic can improve cardiovascular health, prevent initiation of cancer, counter infections (including anthrax), and provide phytoestrogens, which keep us juicy at all ages.

You can get the benefits of garlic by eating it in any food. If using raw garlic, mince it and allow to sit out for five minutes before consuming it. Allowing it to oxidize seems wrong. But it activates — actually creates — allicin, the most active constituent. Dehydrated and powdered garlic are rich in allicin. I use them lavishly.

Heart Health

Garlic is a great friend to old hearts. Several cloves a day of fresh, raw garlic can lower blood pressure, reduce phospholipids and cholesterol, strengthen heart action, increase immune response, reduce platelet clumping and clotting (thus reducing strokes), and stabilize blood sugar levels.

Eat 1/2 clove of garlic a day and watch your blood pressure drop!

Try:

• Scrambled eggs topped with minced raw garlic

• Tomato sauce with chopped raw garlic added just before eating

• Yogurt cheese with minced raw garlic on whole wheat crackers

• Minced raw garlic on a baked potato

• Herb vinegar and minced raw garlic on cooked greens like dandelion, spinach, kale, collards, mustard, amaranth, or lamb's quarters.

• Instant garlic bread: Mince garlic and spread on hot buttered toast.

If you don't like raw garlic, then use powdered garlic instead. A four-year study found women who ingested 900 mg (1/4 teaspoonful) of garlic powder daily had 18 percent less arterial plaque than those taking a placebo.

Hormonal Health

Garlic and its relatives (onions, chives, and leeks) are an excellent source of phytoestrogens/phytosterols. These hormone-like substances are not really hormones, but they can be converted in the gut to biological and active hormones that keep us strong, active, alert, and joyous at every age. Phytosterols are used to reduce cancer incidence, ease the menopausal passage, relieve prostate problems, creat3 strong bones, and so much more.

Easy Garlic Tonic: Fill a jar with fresh garlic cloves, no need to peel them. Pour honey over all, until the jar is nearly full. Place on a plate and let sit for at least 24 hours before using. A spoonful is a dose. This tonic will keep at room temperature for a year.