Germanium is a trace element necessary for optimum nutritional health and is commonly found in garlic and onions. Germanium raises the level of activity of various organs (facilitates oxygen uptake) and helps to expel harmful pollutants and arrest germ activity. It is a metal and it serves as an electrical semiconductor, helping to correct distortions in the electrical fields of the body. It is believed to act as an anti-cancer agent and is effective for viral, bacterial and fungal infections.
From Wikipedia:
Germanium
Germanium is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Ge and atomic number 32. This is a lustrous, hard, silver-white metalloid that is chemically similar to tin. Germanium forms a large number of organometallic compounds and is an important semiconductor material used in transistors.
Germanium is a hard, grayish-white element that has a metallic luster and the same crystal structure as diamond. In addition, it is important to note that germanium is a semiconductor, with electrical properties between those of a metal and an insulator. In its pure state, this metalloid is crystalline, brittle and retains its lustre in air at room temperature.
Certain compounds of germanium have low toxicity to mammals, but have toxic effects against certain bacteria. This property makes these compounds useful as chemotherapeutic agents.
While germanium has been claimed as an attractive nutritional supply, able to cure even cancer and AIDS, FDA research has concluded that the offered supplements "present potential human health hazard".