Scientists at Australia’s Doherty Institute announced a type of garlic grown in the country contains antiviral properties that give it a 99.9% efficacy rate against COVID-19 and the common flu.
While clinical trials are still needed, the crop contains cells that would combat SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A from within the digestive system, according to the Doherty Institute.
The crop was discovered in Victoria, Australia, after 18 months of study. The current research, which is being commissioned by the Australian Garlic Producers (AGP) organization, is currently exploring ways to manufacture a product to take advantage of the properties. Patients would be instructed to consume the garlic oil extract in a pill similar to fish oil or vitamin C supplements.
Garlic is presented at the booth of La Veguilla during the opening day on April 5, 2022 of the Fruit Logistica fair in Berlin, covering “different sectors of the fresh produce business” and providing a “picture of the latest innovations, products and services at every link in the international supply chain”. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
“We wanted to know if these strains had the possibility of killing COVID-19” Dr. Julie McAuley, manager of the Doherty’s high containment facility COVID-19 research lab said.
“I thought it might fail miserably. We blindly tested over 20 varieties. We found one of AGP’s products could reduce the infectious titre of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza by 3-log-fold (99.9 per cent). We barely detected any remaining virus genome, indicating nearly complete virucidal activity.” (RELATED: The Sacklers Got A Fine And Govt Immunity For Killing Your Relatives. This Is America)
Dr. McAuley also said there were tests done across many different sites to ensure that factors such as environment, nutrients, and water were not an issue.
Some experts have questioned the recent discovery regarding the efficacy of garlic in preventing disease. Australian National University infectious disease expert Professor Peter Collignon wrote in a tweet that garlic was falsely believed to have cured HIV 40 years ago.
Garlic was also stongly advocated by some as a cure for HIV over 40 yrs ago. But didn’t work.
There will be chemicals in plants and nature that are active (eg penicillin and quinine). But it requires a lot of searching and then a lot of researching to find any. Plus chance of… https://t.co/ILYuMke6C6— Peter Collignon (@CollignonPeter) May 31, 2023
Despite the criticism, AGP CEO Nick Diamantopoulos said the results proved the long-held belief that garlic in general had superfood qualities and his belief that “not all garlic is created equal”. Future studies will test specific garlic varieties believed to have cholesterol-lowering properties, according to the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.