Why People Put Garlic Under Their Pillow or Beside the Bed

Many people have the habit of placing garlic under their pillow or by their bedside before going to sleep. Below are some of the surprising benefits of keeping garlic close while you sleep.

Benefits of Keeping Garlic by the Bed

• Improves Sleep Quality:
  A clove of garlic under your pillow can help improve sleep and promote deeper rest. Garlic is rich in vitamins B1 and B6, which are known to combat insomnia and stimulate the production of hormones that support better sleep. As a result, you’ll feel more refreshed and energized when you wake up.

• Boosts the Immune System:
  Garlic is packed with health benefits, particularly due to its strong antibacterial properties. It can help fight off harmful bacteria, and the compound allicin in garlic prevents the spread of bacterial infections. Regularly keeping garlic under your pillow may leave you feeling more alert in the morning and less prone to illness.

• Repels Mosquitoes and Insects:
  The strong, pungent smell of garlic helps ward off insects, especially flies and mosquitoes. Its aroma disorients these pests, making it harder for them to enter your home.

• Relieves Nasal Congestion:
  Garlic contains a powerful natural antibiotic called allicin, which is released from the clove. Allicin helps fight infection and can clear airways by breaking down mucus in the nose. Although the process is gradual, it can be highly effective. Placing garlic under your pillow at night may help reduce nasal congestion caused by health conditions or seasonal changes.

• Promotes Relaxation:
  In traditional belief, garlic placed under the pillow can calm the nervous system and help people with insomnia relax. While these effects are generally mild and not scientifically proven, many still use garlic as a natural comfort remedy.

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Handy Tips for Peeling Garlic

Peeling garlic is often seen as a tedious task, but there are a few clever tricks that can save you time and effort:

• Using a Hot Pan:
  Place separated garlic cloves into a heated pan, then rub them against each other. The skins will loosen and fall off easily, so you only need to remove the peels without painstakingly peeling each clove.

• Crush Before Peeling:
  Instead of peeling first, lightly crush the garlic clove with a knife blade. The peel will slip off much more easily, and then you can mince the garlic afterward.

• Soak in Warm Water:
  Separate the cloves and soak them in warm water for about 2 minutes. This softens the skins, making them quicker and cleaner to peel.

• Microwave Method:
  Cut off the root end of the garlic bulb to separate the cloves. Place them in the microwave for about 10 seconds. The heat causes steam to loosen the skins, allowing you to simply rub the cloves with your fingers to remove the peels.