Rick Nappi interviewed by Anthony Qaiyum on November 3, 1995 "It's a stimulant. It's an expectorant. It's a digestive, it's a calmative, it's a vermicide, it's a diuretic, it's a rejuvenator." Dr. Nappi is the director of Intelligent Health Resources. Tripod: According to myth, garlic is supposed to have some pretty amazing effects. As more studies take place, are we finding that this folklore is often fact? RN: Absolutely. Absolutely. And it's tested through time. Let me give you some of the biochemical properties of garlic. Biochemically, it's very high in iodine, it has sulfur, phosphorous, iron, potassium, selenium, fluorine, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B3. Now when you talk about properties of it, it's one of the most effective antibiotic plants available. It acts on bacteria, it acts on virus, and alimentary parasites ...There's a big difference between supplementation and real garlic. I'm speaking of real garlic in its natural state. Tripod: Is it true that garlic is helpful in reducing cholesterol? RN: Absolutely. It's a stimulant. It's an expectorant. It's a digestive, it's a calmative, it's a vermicide, it's a diuretic, it's a rejuvenator. It works predominantly in the bloodstream. The only contra-indications are that pregnant women shouldn't really use it, or overuse it. And people with thin blood, people with diarrhea and urinary problems and, swelling and vomiting could be contra-indications. But it's used in ayurvedic medicine, it's used in Chinese medicine, it's used in naturopathic medicine. It's extremely powerful. I even have people who use it both internally, also just taking a clove of it -- and being careful not to break the clove -- and inserting it anally. Overnight. Yeah. I mean, there's nothing more powerful that gets rid of parasites than garlic. And any type of worms ... And garlic has the international reputation for lowering both blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels, and generally improving the health. Tripod: What about cancer? I've heard that it can reduce the risk of developing certain kinds of tumors. Is this true? RN: Exactly. It's been used in cancer research quite extensively. For the digestive tract, for example, it's been found that garlic will support the development of natural bacterial flora, which is good, especially for women with yeast infections. And it will kill pathogenic organisms ... But at this point with cancer research, they're still working on it. Tripod: People always joke that garlic is an aphrodisiac. But I've read recently that garlic can stimulate the production of nitric oxide synthase, which is an enzyme that helps produce an erection. Have the rumors and jokes been true all this time? RN: Yeah, it is a stimulant. And it will thin the blood out somewhat. You know, an erection is really all about blood flow, and the consistency of the blood flow. So, yes it can. I mean, it maintains the immune system and perpetuates strength in the immune system, so therefore, if the immune system is functioning at optimal levels, then obviously the rest of the body is, which means that even the mental aspects of the patient is going to be elevated. And if the mental aspect is elevated then, absolutely, it can create a libido effect. Tripod: Do you think that we will discover that other natural substances which have been traditionally surrounded by folklore are actually backed up by scientific evidence? RN: We already have. When Hippocrates wrote the Hippocratic oath, he was speaking about homeopathic medicine. There was no synthetic medicine at that time. "...there's nothing more powerful that gets rid of parasites than garlic." Tripod: It seems unfortunate that such a beneficial substance has to smell so bad. Is there any way to avoid reeking of garlic but still enjoy its effect? RN: That's the trade-off. Tripod: So if you had to choose one way to take garlic, you would say raw garlic is the best? RN: Exactly. Tripod: Is it possible to overdose on garlic? RN: Um. Not really. No. Tripod: That's good. Do you have any idea why garlic would keep away vampires? RN: [Laughs] Because vampires usually bite the neck, right? Tripod: I guess. RN: If the person was exhaling, it would just really be too much. [Laughs] Visit Dr. Nappi and Intelligent Health Resources at: http://www.eyeonmedicine.com/asknappi/asknappi.htm Or call: (800) DR-NAPPI