The dietary uses of garlic and thyme have been traced back thousands of years. An Egyptian papyrus dating from 1500 BC listed 22 garlic prescriptions for complaints such as headaches, throat disorders and physical weakness. However, the first real evidence of garlic's powerful properties came in 1858, when Louis Pasteur discovered that it had the power to eliminate the growth of harmful bacteria, and today we are starting to understand how it works as a remedy. The National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, has more than 100 scientific papers relating to garlic published since 1983.

  Garlic is a complex plant. The principal active ingredient in raw garlic is allicin. When garlic is cut or crushed, the allicin reacts with the enzyme amylase, also present in the garlic, and produces allicin. This is what gives garlic its characteristically pungent smell. Allicin is a very powerful bacteria-fighting agent, which enters the bloodstream and disinfects the lungs, bowels and skin. Allicin is the main active ingredient in Forever Living's Garlic-Thyme supplement. Other active ingredients include ajoene, an anti-clotting agent and lecithin which helps clean out fatty deposits like cholesterol, and helps the metabolism convert fats to energy. Garlic's sulphur compounds are anti-fungal and antibacterial, making it effective in a variety of health problems including `flu and candida albicans. They also help garlic to protect the body against free radicals, making it a powerful antioxidant. Garlic also contains germanium, a mineral trace element believed to help boost the body's immune system and selenium, a trace mineral antioxidant. Thyme contains Tannin, Phenol, and Thymol (saponins). These are antibacterial and anti-fungal and can help relieve bronchitis, soothe the digestive system and are powerful antioxidants. Other beneficial nutrients contained in Garlic-Thyme are potassium, calcium, magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin C.