Passionate About Garlic

People are passionate about so many things. For example, Dr. Lisa Newman is passionate about garlic. Dr Newman believes the latest spate of garlic bashing on the internet is bad for our pets’ health. Wishing to swing the debate back in favor of garlic, Dr. Newman discusses the chemistry of garlic and how it differs from the chemistry of onions at www.azmira.com.

This is the scoop: Onions aren’t good for pets. Some think that garlic and onions are so similar that if onions aren’t good for pets, then garlic must be bad for pets also. Not quite right. Garlic is a very powerful herb that benefits pets by boosting the immune system, but anything that is powerful can also do harm. If we approach garlic with the “more is better” attitude, we will do our pets a great disservice, and we will have turned a beneficial herb into something that is harmful. Use garlic, and all powerful herbs with moderation.

For a 50-lb dog, a few slices from a fresh clove of garlic is beneficial when given several times a week. If a pet has what the Chinese refer to as “heat in the body” frequent garlic would not be beneficial because garlic adds heat. Examples of heat in the body are high blood pressure; fresh sports injuries that are still swelling; and some (but not all) red, stinky pustular skin disorders. For pets with these problems, feeding garlic several times a week may be contraindicated.

On the other hand, garlic benefits many pets with what the Chinese refer to as cool or phlegm disorders. Examples of cool or phlegm disorders include immune deficiencies, cancers, allergies, fungal infections, ringworm, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, parasites, and diarrhea.

There is a difference between fresh garlic and garlic powder. In my experience, fresh is beneficial. The healing essence of garlic is lost as the nature of the herb is altered. The least healing ability—if indeed there is any healing ability at all—is lost in defumed, bottled, inoffensive products.

To do what is best for your pet, work with your holistic veterinarian who will help you supplement appropriately with garlic and other healing herbs. And read Dr. Newman’s impassioned position on the benefits of garlic.