One of the reasons I enjoy autumn is because of the warming foods we tend to eat. I decided to make Chicken Marbella for friends coming over for dinner on Sunday and was reminded of all the great reasons to add garlic and herbs while cooking. It was a treat to have the waft of garlic interlaced with the pungent aroma of thyme, oregano, rosemary, capers and olives greeting me as I took the dish out of the oven. No one was apt to catch a cold after that meal!

Garlic is one of the most researched, versatile and widely used herbs available. It can be used to thin the blood to prevent heart disease (just as well as Aspirin but without the side effects) and has been found to lower cholesterol as well as blood pressure. I have used it for both with many patients and had great results. For specific health purposes, it is important to use a standardized garlic supplement with a specified amount of allicin, one of the active components in garlic.

Fresh garlic can be crushed and a drop or two of oil mixed with a teaspoon (5 mL) of olive oil for ear infections. Put a few drops of the mixture in each ear to resolve the infection. The same mixture can also be used for any fungal infections on the skin or nails. Applying a small amount to the nail each night will eventually clear the nails. Another great remedy is to boil a few garlic cloves with honey to make a cough syrup. A crushed clove in a half cup (125 mL) of hot water can be an effective throat gargle and has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Versatile garlic can also be used to make a chest poultice with onion to break up lung congestion. Crush two or three cloves with half an onion and add enough hot water to make a paste and spread on a cloth. Place the cloth on the chest and cover with plastic and leave the poultice on for 20 to 30 minutes. Garlic has also been used to prevent hangovers-one to two baked cloves spread on crackers and eaten will minimize the effects of wine.

Thyme, oregano and rosemary are also antibacterial and antiviral. One to two drops of thyme oil mixed with one tablespoon (15 mL) of olive oil is an excellent remedy to rub on the chest to break up a cough. Oregano oil mixed with olive oil has been found to be an effective throat gargle and, taken orally, will help ward off colds and flus. Rosemary is not only antibacterial, but is also helpful for memory.

So, not only do these herbs make a dish, chicken or otherwise, much more flavourful, but they have wonderful beneficial effects too. With all the stews, soups, stir-fries and other warming foods we crave at this time of year, don't be afraid to make it aromatic and mouthwatering with healing ingredients like garlic and herbs.


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Brenda Gill is a naturopathic doctor practicing
in Rossland, BC. She treats the cause of her patients' ills by rebalancing the body using herbs, supplements, homeopathy and exercise.
(250) 362-5035

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