Alliumsativum. GarlicFamily: Liliaceae PART USED:Bulb ACTIONS GROUP: Herbs Influencing Infection
1. Anthelmintic.[1,2]
2. Antiviral.[1]Bacteriostatic.[1]
(broad spectrum). Antiseptic.[1] Antibiotic.[4]
3. Hypotensive.[1,2,4]
4. Hypoglycaemic.
5. Expectorant.[1,2,4] Diaphoretic.[1,4]
6. Leucocyte activator.[1,2] Anti-thrombotic.[4]
7. Mucus solvent.
8. Stimulant stomachic.
9. Spasmolytic.[1]
10. Antidiabetic.[4] INDICATIONS 1. Colds.[1,2,4] Influenza.[1,2,4]
Respiratory Catarrh.[1,2] Chronic bronchitis.[1,2,4]
Whooping cough.[1,2] Bronchitic asthma.[1,2]
Asthma.[4]
2. Gastro-intestinal disorders due to infection including bacterial
food poisoning and intestinal worms. Anorexia, dyspepsia.
3. Hypertension - for its treatment or prevention, Atherosclerosis (Hemorrhoids).
4. All infective disorders. To promote vitality and longevity. SPECIFIC INDICATION: Chronic bronchitis.[1] CONTRAINDICATIONS: Garlic is not used for small children nor for lactating
mothers as it irritates gastrointestinal mucosa. COMBINATIONS
- Bronchitis and Asthma- use with Tussilago
and Lobelia.
- Conditions associated with Bacterial or Viral activity- use with Baptisia
and Echinacea.
Garlic should not be taken on an empty stomach.[2] PREPARATIONS 3X
daily
Fresh bulb 1-6 cloves.
Dried bulb 2-4 g.[1,2]
Tincture 1:5 in 45% alcohol 2-4 ml.[1,2]
Tincture 1:2 in 45% alcohol.[3]
Syrup (BHP1949) 2-8 ml.[1]
Volatile Oil 0.03-0.12 ml.[1,2]
equivalent to 4-8 mg. Only small doses diluted should be administered to children.[1]
Juice (BPC 1949) : 2-4 ml-[5] Use macerating
juicer, filter, then add 25% alcohol and then filter again. Sediment then settles
and a red juice is the result. 10-30 drops.[2]
Local Suppository.[1,2]
HABITAT: Found growing wild in the shade
under trees on the mountains. Widely cultivated.
DESCRIPTION: A perennial herb. Subterranean globular corm covered by thin
purplish-black film. Leaves; clustered 4-5 linear or fleshy, margins intact. Blooms
in summer, flower pedicel extending from leaf cluster after leaves have withered,
supporting bright red flowers forming an umbellate inflorescence. Capsule; oval
shaped. Bulb: Creamy white, composed of a number of small bulbs or "cloves"
covered with membranous bracts. References
[1] British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983 Published by the British Herbal Medicine
Association ISBN 0 903032 07 4.
[2] Herbal Materia Medica Course Notes For Diploma of Naturopathy and Diploma
of Herbalism Students by Lydia Mottram.
[3] The Pharmaceutical Plant Company Pty Ltd ppcherbs.com.au
[4] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations R.C.
Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in
Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company
Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound
by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from
the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant
medicinally. Constituents.
Volatile oil 0.1-0.3% containg alyl disulphide
and diallyl disulphide.[1] Allylmethyltrisulphide,
diallyldisulphide, diallyltrisulphide, diallyltetrasulphide, allyllpropyldisulphide.[3]
Ajoene.[5]
Alliin,[1,2] which breaks down enzymatically
to allicin when crushed,[6] then converted
to diallylsulphide-oxide in the body.[2]
Mucilage.[1] Albumin.[1]
Citral, gerianiol, linallol and a- and b-phellandrene.[7]
Minerals particularly Sulphur and Selenium.[2]
Allinase, vitamin B, minerals flavonoids.[7,8] Drug interactions- Will increase bleeding time. Ajoene seems to be the
constituent responsible for this. Use caution when used with aspirin at
doses >4 gm of garlic/day. Observe when prescribing with Warfarin, and do
not use > 4 gm of garlic /day.[1,2] References
[1] British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983 Published by the British Herbal Medicine
Association ISBN 0 903032 07 4.
[2] Herbal Materia Medica Course Notes For Diploma of Naturopathy and Diploma
of Herbalism Students by Lydia Mottram.
[3] Augusti, K. T. and Mathew, P. T. (1974) Experientia 30,
468
[4] Whiteaker, J. R. (1976) Adv. Food. Res. 22, 73
[5] Block, E. et al. (1984) J. Am Chem. Soc. 106,
8295
[6] Lu, G. B. et al. (1984) Yao Hsueh Husueh Pao 19 8,
636
[7] Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food Drugs and Cosmetics,
Albert Y. Leung. Pub. John Wiley & Sons Inc. (1980) NY
[8] Medicinal Plants of Tropical West Africa. B. Oliver-Bever. Pub. Cambridge
University Press (1986) UK
Research.
The antibiotic effects are normally attributed to the action of allicin, which
has been shown to be actin in vtro against Candida albicans, Trichomonas spp.,
Staphylococcus aureus, Escherischia coli.[1]
Allicin and allylpropyldisulphide are hypoglycaemic in humans and animals.[2,3]
However garlic also contains hperglycaemic compounds.[3]
It has been suggeste that the active hypoglycaemic compounds have an insulin-sparing
effect due to the thiol groups competing for insulin with the inactivating compounds.[4]
It is also hypolipiaemic.[5,6] One of
the main fields of interest is the antithrombotic activity of garlic. Extracts
have been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation.[7]
This has now known to be due at least in part to ajoene, which is a potent antithrombotic
agent,[8] as well as the less potent
2-vinyl-4H-1,3-dithin.[8]
References
[1] Kabelik, J. (1970) Pharmazie 25, 266
[2] Jain, R. C. and Vyas, C. R. (1974) Brit. Med. J. 2. 730
[3] Brahmachari, M. D. and Augusti, K. T. (1962) J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 14,
254 and 617
[4] Augusti, K. T. and Henaim, M. E. (1974) Clin. Chim. Acta 60,
121
[5] Chaudhuri, B. N. et al. (1984) Biomed. Biochim. Acta 41
(7), 1045
[6] Schoetan, A. et al. (1984) Experimentia 40 (3),
261
[7] Wenkert, E. et al. (1971) Experientia 28, 377
[8] Block, E. et al. (1984) J. Am Chem. Soc. 106, 8295
[9] Apitz-Castro, R. et al. (1983) Thromb. Red. 32,
155
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and cardiovascular diseases.
Ginter E, Simko V. Abstract
Garlic is an important component in the complementary and alternative medicine.
Large segments of population believe in and utilize herbal products even when
these have not been as thoroughly researched as garlic. Experimental and clinical
studies confirm that the ancient experience with beneficial effects of garlic
holds validity even in prevention of cardiovascular disorders and other metabolic
ills. Most recent data published after year 2000 convincingly point out that garlic
and its various forms reduce cardiovascular risk, including abnormal plasma lipids,
oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL), abnormal platelet aggregation and a high
blood pressure. Stimulation of nitric oxide generation in endothelial cells seems
to be the critical preventive mechanism. Garlic may promote an anti-inflammatory
environment by cytokine modulation in human blood. Cardioprotective effects of
dietary garlic are mediated in large part via the generation of hydrogen sulfide
(H2S). Garlic-derived organic polysulfides are converted by erythrocytes into
hydrogen sulfide which relaxes vascular smooth muscle, induces vasodilation of
blood vessels, and significantly reduces blood pressure. There are data on potential
ability of garlic to inhibit the rate of progression of coronary calcification.
Garlic as a dietary component appears to hold promise to reduce the risk of cardiovascular
disease (Fig. 2, Ref. 46).
PMID: 21033626 Bratisl Lek Listy. 2010;111(8):452-6. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Potential of garlic (Allium sativum) in lowering high blood pressure:
mechanisms of action and clinical relevance
Karin Ried and Peter Fakler Abstract
Garlic supplements have shown promise in the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension,
lowering blood pressure (BP) by about 10 mmHg systolic and 8 mmHg diastolic, similar
to standard BP medication. Aged garlic extract, which contains S-allylcysteine
as the bioactive sulfur compound, in particular is standardizable and highly tolerable,
with little or no known harmful interaction when taken with other BP-reducing
or blood-thinning medication. Here we describe biologically plausible mechanisms
of garlic’s BP-lowering effect. Garlic-derived polysulfides stimulate the
production of the vascular gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and enhance
the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO), which induce smooth muscle cell
relaxation, vasodilation, and BP reduction. Several dietary and genetic factors
influence the efficiency of the H2S and NO signaling pathways and may contribute
to the development of hypertension. Sulfur deficiency might play a part in the
etiology of hypertension, and could be alleviated with supplementation of organosulfur
compounds derived from garlic. Integr Blood Press Control. 2014; 7: 71–82.
Published online 2014 Dec 9. doi: 10.2147/IBPC.S51434
PMCID: PMC4266250 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Allium sativum (garlic)--a natural antibiotic.
Adetumbi MA, Lau BH. Abstract
Allium sativum (garlic) has been recognized not only as a spice but also as a
substance which exerts a control on microorganisms. Recent publications indicate
that garlic extract has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against many genera
of bacteria and fungi. The active component (allicin) has been isolated and characterized.
Because many of the microorganisms susceptible to garlic extract are medically
significant, garlic holds a promising position as a broad-spectrum therapeutic
agent. Furthermore, garlic plants may also play an important role in the ecological
control of pathogenic microorganisms in nature.
PMID: 6366484 Med Hypotheses. 1983 Nov;12(3):227-37. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Antimicrobial effect of garlic (Allium sativum).
Goncagul G, Ayaz E. Abstract
Medicinal plants like pumpkin seed, thyme, onion, Nigella sativa, lemon balm,
and stinging nettle are used extensively today. One of these plants used most
intensively and widespread is garlic. In this context, fresh shape, powder state
and oil of garlic have been used all around the world, especially in Far East
for centuries. It is scientifically proven that garlic is effectively used in
cardiovascular diseases as a regulator of blood pressure, with dropper effects
on glycaemia and high blood cholesterol, against bacterial, viral, mycotic and
parasitic infections. It's also known that garlic is a wonderful plant having
the properties of empowering immune system, anti-tumour and antioxidant effects.
In this article, the summary of properties of garlic and its use against bacterial
diseases is given. This article is a short review of recent patents on antimicrobial
effect of garlic.
PMID: 19929845 Recent Pat Antiinfect Drug Discov. 2010 Jan;5(1):91-3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The antiatherosclerotic effect of Allium sativum.
Koscielny J1, Klüssendorf D, Latza R, Schmitt R, Radtke H, Siegel G, Kiesewetter
H. Abstract
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the plaque volumes
in both carotid and femoral arteries of 152 probationers were determined by B-mode
ultrasound. Continuous intake of high-dose garlic powder dragees reduced significantly
the increase in arteriosclerotic plaque volume by 5-18% or even effected a slight
regression within the observational period of 48 months. Also the age-dependent
representation of the plaque volume shows an increase between 50 and 80 years
that is diminished under garlic treatment by 6-13% related to 4 years. It seems
even more important that with garlic application the plaque volume in the whole
collective remained practically constant within the age-span of 50-80 years. These
results substantiated that not only a preventive but possibly also a curative
role in arteriosclerosis therapy (plaque regression) may be ascribed to garlic
remedies.Atherosclerosis. 1999 May;144(1):237-49. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effects of Allium sativum (garlic) on systolic and diastolic blood
pressure in patients with essential hypertension.
Ashraf R, Khan RA, Ashraf I, Qureshi AA. Abstract
The present study evaluated the effects of garlic on blood pressure in patients
with essential hypertension. Patients (n=210) with stage 1 essential hypertension
were divided into 7 groups named as A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Each group comprised
of 30 patients. Each patient in group A, B, C, D and E has received garlic tablets
at the dose of 300/mg. 600/mg, 900/mg, 1200/mg and 1500/mg in divided doses
per day respectively for 24 weeks while Group F & group G were given tablet
atenolol and placebo respectively. Blood pressure readings were recorded at
weeks 0, 12 and 24. Present study showed significant decrease in both Systolic
and Diastolic blood pressure in both dose and duration dependent manner. In
each garlic treated group, significant reduction in SBP and DBP (p<0.005)
were observed when compared with atenolol (P<0.005) and placebo.Pak J
Pharm Sci. 2013 Sep;26(5):859-63. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Allium sativum: facts and myths regarding human health.
Majewski M. Abstract
Garlic (Allium sativum L. fam. Alliaceae) is one of the most researched and
best-selling herbal products on the market. For centuries it was used as a traditional
remedy for most health-related disorders. Also, it is widely used as a food
ingredient--spice and aphrodisiac. Garlic's properties result from a combination
of variety biologically active substances which all together are responsible
for its curative effect. The compounds contained in garlic synergistically influence
each other so that they can have different effects. The active ingredients of
garlic include enzymes (e.g. alliinase), sulfur-containing compounds such as
alliin and compounds produced enzymatically from alliin (e.g. allicin). There
is a lot of variation among garlic products sold for medicinal purposes. The
concentration of Allicin (main active ingredient) and the source of garlic's
distinctive odor depend on processing method. Allicin is unstable, and changes
into a different chemicals rather quickly. It's documented that products obtained
even without allicin such as aged garlic extract (AGE), have a clear and significant
biological effect in immune system improvement, treatment of cardiovascular
diseases, cancer, liver and other areas. Some products have a coating (enteric
coating) to protect them against attack by stomach acids. Clinically, garlic
has been evaluated for a number of purposes, including treatment of hypertension,
hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cold or the prevention
of atherosclerosis and the development of tumors. Many available publications
indicates possible antibacterial, anti-hypertensive and anti-thrombotic properties
of garlic. Due to the chemical complexity of garlic and the use of different
processing methods we obtain formulations with varying degrees of efficacy and
safety.Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2014;65(1):1-8. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
