The folk medicine of many different cultures has extolled the use of garlic both to prevent and to cure many diseases  Modern medical research is absorbing some of these beliefs  Recent studies indicate that many of the more than 50 sulphur compounds that can be produced from garlic (depending upon whether it is boiled, fried in oil, or dried) have medicinal utility  Some of these compounds lower blood cholesterol, others reduce platelet clumping, while still others shrink some kinds of tumors
Other plants and herbs recommended by traditional medicine may also prove valuable for medicine generally
Research on some traditional medications has yet to be conducted by modern medical researchers.