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Garlic "The Stinking Rose"

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Garlic was worshiped by the ancient Egyptians, chewed by Greek Olympian athletes and thought to be essential for keeping vampires at bay! Currently garlic research is taking place in almost every developed country. Areas of interest include cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, antibacterial properties, anti fungal use and much more. Research has documented that garlic lowers cholesterol, enhances immune function, and has anti carcinogen and anti tumor properties. Garlic's sulphur containing compounds, which lend the herb its pungent, spicy aroma, are responsible for many of its healing properties. An average clove of garlic weighs between three and six grams and contains an average of 1 gram of carbohydrates (90% of which is in a starchy form called sinistrin), 0.2 gram of protein, 0.05 gram of fiber, 0.01 gram of fat and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C. The Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is combined with the allicin and called allithiamine and is easily absorbed from the intestine. Garlic is said to contain about ten different kinds of natural sugars which make up about a fourth of its substances; they include fructose, glucose, inulin and arabinose - it makes one wonder how garlic can reduce blood sugar as tests have shown that it does. They further say that garlic is richer than any other food in adenosine, a nucleic acid which is a building block of DNA and RNA. Garlic also contains relatively low levels of the trace minerals copper, iron, zinc, tin, calcium, manganese, aluminum, germanium and selenium, although they may vary with soil conditions where the garlic was grown.

As doctor Wargovich at Houston's M.D. Anderson Hospital put it, "If it doesn't stink, it doesn't work".
For years pigeon flyers have used garlic for the positive influence on blood and circulation. Most use garlic oil on feed. Through the processing required to refine the oil much of the value is lost. Garlic oil is produced by heating garlic in boiling water and condensing (collecting) the steam as it becomes a vapour, the technique is known as steam distillation. This process though required to extract the oil does compromise the nutritional integrity.

Professor Eric Block, has conducted extensive research on the sulphur compounds of garlic at the State University of New York at Albany. His research has indicated chopped garlic is a rich source of "naturally-formed" garlic-derived compounds. Professor Block is also the discoverer of what he named "ajoene". Ajoenes have shown to possess anti clotting, anti tumor, anti fungal and other attributes of benefit to humans so why not the birds also? With this in mind out comes the garlic cloves and electric hand blender.
In about 2 minutes one clove was blended with 50 ml of sunflower oil. Dr. Wargovich's statement came to mind when finished. The home mix meets his criteria in a big way! Sunflower oil was used simply because that is what was in the kitchen cabinet. Any consumable oil one prefers naturally would do. The home blend can be applied to 5 lbs of Grain. Any unused grain should be refrigerated for the next feeding.

In Canada 150 ml of garlic oil cost $7.50 when purchased from the CU. The home blend cost 15 cents for 50 ml.

Another method of giving garlic to the birds is to chop or crush a clove and add it to the water. 1 clove to 2.5 litres of water twice a week. Those who have done this report that their birds have not required deworming.

Home prepared garlic stored in oil has a limited storage life. Health Canada has linked it to botulism. It is recommended to refrigerate and use within one week. The Health Canada article can be read by clicking here.

Don't forget to save some of the garlic for yourself. It will can help you to live a longer, healthier life.

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Update 12 July 2002
Al Leamon of the FVC sent information from an article that suggest garlic "may block the parasites that cause malaria".  If there is a problem with pigeon malaria in your area it might help. Worth trying for sure.