Garlic
DEFINITION
Garlic is a herb with the botanical name Allium sativum. It is
also known as ail, allium, camphor of the poor, da-suan,
knoblaunch, la suan, nectar of the gods, poor-man’s-treacle and
stinking rose.
also known as ail, allium, camphor of the poor, da-suan,
knoblaunch, la suan, nectar of the gods, poor-man’s-treacle and
stinking rose.
DESCRIPTION
Garlic has a long history of use by many cultures, including
the ancient Romans and Greeks. It is thought to be native to
Southwest Siberia and in time spread to the mediteranean countries
of Southern Europe. The root is made up of a group of small bulbs
or cloves surrounded by a dry, whitish covering that holds them
together. The bulbs should be harvested when the leaves begin to
wither, usually in September. When these are collected, keep in a
cool, dry area.
the ancient Romans and Greeks. It is thought to be native to
Southwest Siberia and in time spread to the mediteranean countries
of Southern Europe. The root is made up of a group of small bulbs
or cloves surrounded by a dry, whitish covering that holds them
together. The bulbs should be harvested when the leaves begin to
wither, usually in September. When these are collected, keep in a
cool, dry area.
The part used in herbal medicine is the bulb. It contains many
active constituents, most importantly a sulphur-containing compound
called Allicin. Garlic is also rich in Sulphur-containing amino
acids (cysteine, methionine), selenium (if the soil it is grown in
is high in selenium), germanium, essential oil, ajoene,
glucokinins, B group vitamins , vitamin C and flavonoids.
active constituents, most importantly a sulphur-containing compound
called Allicin. Garlic is also rich in Sulphur-containing amino
acids (cysteine, methionine), selenium (if the soil it is grown in
is high in selenium), germanium, essential oil, ajoene,
glucokinins, B group vitamins , vitamin C and flavonoids.
INTERACTIONS
Herbal supplements can alter the effects of certain drugs,
including prescription medications. Always tell your Doctor about
any prescription medications, non-prescription medications, herbs
or other dietary supplements you are taking.
including prescription medications. Always tell your Doctor about
any prescription medications, non-prescription medications, herbs
or other dietary supplements you are taking.
- Garlic should not be used by people taking
anticoagulant/anti-platelet medications (e.g. warfarin), or NSAIDs
(non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as aspirin) as this can
cause uncontrolled or spontaneous bleeding. - People taking the drug saquinavir (used in the treatment of
HIV/AIDS) should not take garlic while taking this drug, as it may
decrease its effectiveness. - People with diabetes should use Garlic with caution as it may
result in decreased blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia).
MEDICAL USE
Always consult your Health Professional to advise you on
dosages and any possible medical interactions.
dosages and any possible medical interactions.
Garlic has been used in modern medicine for high blood pressure,
high cholesterol, fungal infections, heavy metal toxicity, free
radical damage and infectious and immune deficiency diseases.
Clinical studies indicate that regular garlic consumption may
protect the body from various types of cancers.
high cholesterol, fungal infections, heavy metal toxicity, free
radical damage and infectious and immune deficiency diseases.
Clinical studies indicate that regular garlic consumption may
protect the body from various types of cancers.
HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS
Clinical trials indicate that Garlic may aid in the treatment
and prevention of coronary artery disease, possibly for
hyperlipidaemia or hypercholesterolaemia, and mild hypertension.
Garlic may also help reduce blood clots by reducing the stickiness
of platelets or “thinning the blood”. Garlic may also help other
heart conditions such as high cholesterol levels and blood
pressure, heart attack, stroke, angina and atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries)..
and prevention of coronary artery disease, possibly for
hyperlipidaemia or hypercholesterolaemia, and mild hypertension.
Garlic may also help reduce blood clots by reducing the stickiness
of platelets or “thinning the blood”. Garlic may also help other
heart conditions such as high cholesterol levels and blood
pressure, heart attack, stroke, angina and atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries)..
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Garlic is well known as an antibiotic herb. Its main area of
use in the treatment of infectious disease is in the lungs and
throat and the digestive tract. Due to the antiseptic oils in
garlic being secreted from the lungs, it is extremely useful in
treating any form of colds or flu, from a mild head cold to
pneumonia. It is effective for bronchial conditions such as
inflammatory disease, tuberculosis, asthma and hepatopulonary
syndrome. Garlic also loosens mucus, encouraging it to be brought
up from the lungs, throat and nose, improving dry, unproductive
coughs and tightness in the chest.
use in the treatment of infectious disease is in the lungs and
throat and the digestive tract. Due to the antiseptic oils in
garlic being secreted from the lungs, it is extremely useful in
treating any form of colds or flu, from a mild head cold to
pneumonia. It is effective for bronchial conditions such as
inflammatory disease, tuberculosis, asthma and hepatopulonary
syndrome. Garlic also loosens mucus, encouraging it to be brought
up from the lungs, throat and nose, improving dry, unproductive
coughs and tightness in the chest.
In the digestive tract, garlic has been shown to be effective
against a wide variety of germs and fungi including E. coli,
Streptococci, staphylococci, Salmonella and Candida albicans. This
makes garlic helpful in the treatment of yeast infections, by both
destroying yeast and promoting the growth of beneficial
microorganisms i.e., it has a ‘normalising’ effect on the bowel
flora. Garlic may also aid in the treatment of such common
infections as cystitis, furuncles (boils) and sore throat.
against a wide variety of germs and fungi including E. coli,
Streptococci, staphylococci, Salmonella and Candida albicans. This
makes garlic helpful in the treatment of yeast infections, by both
destroying yeast and promoting the growth of beneficial
microorganisms i.e., it has a ‘normalising’ effect on the bowel
flora. Garlic may also aid in the treatment of such common
infections as cystitis, furuncles (boils) and sore throat.
PROPERTIES
Promotes sweating, expectorant, antispasmodic, antiseptic,
bacteriostatic, antiviral, lowers blood pressure, anthelmintic,
reduces high cholesterol, binds and removes lead.
bacteriostatic, antiviral, lowers blood pressure, anthelmintic,
reduces high cholesterol, binds and removes lead.
NOTES
- Garlic supplements should be avoided before surgery, as they
may increase post-operative bleeding time. - Garlic may interact with blood sugar medication.
- Avoid doses that are higher than the garlic content of normal
food intake while pregnant and breastfeeding. - Patients with gastrointestinal problems, such as peptic ulcers
or gastric reflux should avoid Garlic. - Possible side effects include mouth, stomach or throat
irritation, dizziness, stomach upset, allergic reactions and
sweating. - Garlic contains a compound called alliin which reacts with an
enzyme on crushing to convert to allicin, giving Garlic its
characteristic odour. Allicin is responsible for the antibiotic and
antiviral activity of Garlic, so when using Garlic for these
purposes, it is important to use an allicin-stabilised product or
use fresh Garlic immediately on crushing. Garlic is often sold in
an odourless form and may not have these properties. - To combat the smell of Garlic on the breath, ensure the diet is
high in chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the green pigment in fruit and
vegetables. Parsley is especially high in chlorophyll. - If taking an acidophilus supplement, high allicin Garlic should
be taken separately, e.g., acidophilus in the morning, Garlic at
night.
