There is a long-standing traditional belief that sleeping with garlic under your pillow will give you better sleep and keep you safe from nightmares.
Some people even swear by it, while others think it's just a folk tale.
But is there any truth to this claim?
In ancient Egypt, garlic was sometimes used as a medicine, and in Greek mythology, garlic was often associated with sleep.
In more modern times, many people believe that smelling or eating garlic before bed will prevent nightmares.
However, no evidence exists that eating or smelling (or even sleeping with) garlic affects nightmares. Instead, a lot of us think that it's mind over matter.
So let's take a closer look at this topic in today's post and share the truth with you.
Why is it good to put garlic under your pillow?
When people sleep, their bodies go into a deep state of rest and healing.
During this time, garlic's powerful antioxidants and antibacterial properties go to work in the body.
You absorb its health benefits while you sleep by putting garlic under your pillow overnight.
However, there is no evidence that putting garlic under your pillow prevents nightmares or helps you sleep better.
Some researchers argue that putting anything under your pillow will impede your ability to breathe well while sleeping.
This argument is still going back and forth today.
Although there is research indicating that eating or smelling garlic before bedtime could improve sleep, there is limited evidence that putting garlic under your pillow has the same effect.
I believe that if putting garlic under your pillow helps you sleep better, then so would smelling it or taking it as a supplement before bed.
However, it could also be that you smell the garlic that puts you off-balance enough to prevent you from having a good night's sleep.
If you want to try this method out for yourself to see if it helps your sleep, then try eating it about an hour before you go to bed and see if it helps.
Note: If you are allergic to onions, you might be allergic to garlic and should avoid it altogether!
Will Garlic Under Your Pillow Help You Sleep Better?
Health Benefits of Garlic
Garlic is a type of herb that has several health benefits.
First, garlic contains vitamin C, which benefits the immune system. In addition, garlic has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling.
Finally, garlic has antioxidant properties that are good for heart health and can protect against cancer. However, garlic isn't for everyone.
People who don't enjoy the taste of garlic or people with garlic allergies should avoid eating it.
Those who are worried about their cholesterol should also avoid consuming garlic.
Otherwise, garlic is a fantastic food that has many health benefits.
Some other health benefits of garlic are:
- Beneficial for the bones and joints and also prevents osteoporosis.
- Lower blood pressure and also reduce LDL levels in the blood.
- Help prevents cancer and can also kill cancer cells in the body.
- Garlic stimulates the immune system and can help prevent colds and flu.
- Garlic can treat anemia, strengthen the heart, and can prevent the build-up of plaque in the arteries, and help prevent heart diseases.
- It helps with Alzheimer's and dementia and can also improve memory.
- Garlic can help with weight loss and burn fat in the body.
- Garlic can treat insomnia.
What type of garlic should you use?
Garlic comes in various varieties, including white, red, green, purple, and yellow.
The most commonly used garlic for culinary purposes is white garlic, which is milder in flavor and has a lighter texture than red or green garlic.
However, it also contains fewer nutrients than other types.
You can buy most types of garlic, like organic or white, at your local grocery store.
Here are some other types:
- Red: Red-colored cloves have a more intense flavor than white cloves and have a stronger odor as well.
- Green: Green-colored cloves have a mild taste and make a great addition to salads or stews.
When it comes to what kind to put under your pillow, it doesn't matter which one you choose. Whatever works for you is what you should use.
Science Facts About Garlic
While research is limited on the effects of garlic on better sleep and mood regulation, we still don't know its full potential.
For example, while eating whole garlic cloves (which contain allicin) can help prevent colds and the flu, we don't know if consuming the compound helps prevent or treat nightmares.
The sharp smell of allicin does keep many bugs away, but whether it helps humans sleep better is another matter.
Putting sleep aside, garlic is full of Vitamins B & C and has antioxidant properties that can benefit your body in many ways.
To Sum it Up
In Conclusion, sleeping with garlic under your pillow won't necessarily help you sleep better, but if it does, then it's a win-win situation.
Anything that can help you sleep faster is worth a shot.
When I tried using garlic under my pillow, I could not get used to the smell. I would rather eat it or take some garlic supplements.
This, of course, is a personal preference and may not work for you. Give it a try, and if it doesn't work, then don't beat yourself up over it.
Try something else. However, you should keep in mind that using garlic purposely for sleep is not advisable by the experts, but what do they know lol...
