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Information about the herb Garlic
Allium sativum , also known as Clove Garlic is part of the Lilliceae plant family. Garlic is a perennial bulb, thought to be indigenous to Central Asia, Siberia
and west of the Himalayas and has been grown in England from before 1540. It
is now widely cultivated all over the world.
General Information
Botanical
Name: Allium sativum
Plant
Family: Lilliceae
Common
Names: Clove Garlic, Poor Man's Treacle
History: Garlic is a member of the onion family and is one of nature's most versatile medicinal
plant.
Garlic has been prized since the first records of civilization and has been used all
over the world for thousands of years for a wide range of conditions.
Garlic is used as a traditional dietary supplement for diabetes in Asia, Europe, and
the Middle East
The
name Garlic is from Anglo-saxon origins from gar, 'a spear'
and lac, 'a plant' (referring to the shape of the leaves)
- The
ancient Egyptians used it for sustaining health
- In
France during the early 1700's gravediggers drank a concoction of crushed
Garlic in wine which they believed would protect them from getting the plague
that killed many people in Europe
- It
was crushed and placed on wounds to stop them from turning septic and to to
prevent gangrene during both World Wars of the 20th century
Tradition:
- Legend
has it that it was used to drive vampires away
- Garlic was placed by the ancient Greeks on piles of stones at crossroads as food
for Hecate
- According
to Pliny Garlic and onion were used by the Egyptians in religious ceremonies
- Peeled
garlic cloves placed in each room is said to ward off disease
- If
hung in new homes it is thought to dispel negativity and evil
- If
a clove is placed under the pillow of sleeping children it is thought to protect
them
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Plant Constituents of Garlic
Contains:
Garlic bulbs:
Alliin
is an odorless sulfur-containing chemical derived from the amino acid cysteine.
When garlic bulbs are crushed, Alliin is converted into another compound called
Allicin. Allicin is further broken down to a compound called Ajoene, which may
be the substance that inhibits blockage in blood vessels from clots and atherosclerosis.
- Allicin
(released when crushed) an amino acid which gives Garlic its strong odor and
is responsible for the powerful pharmacological properties of the plant
- Germanium
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- Vitamin
A
- Vitamin
C
- volatile
oil of which about 0.5% is composed of sulfur-containing compounds
- Zinc
Action:
- anthelmintic
[an agent that destroys or expels intestinal worms and/or parasites; vermicide;
vermifuge]
- anti-bacterial
[an agent that destroys bacteria; bactericide]
- antibiotic
[an agent that destroys or stops the growth of micro-organisms] (a powerful
natural antibiotic which does not destroy the body's natural flora)
- anti-cancerous
activities
- anticoagulant
[an agent that prevents the formation of clots in a liquid, as in blood]
- antioxidant
[contributing to the oxidation of free radicals which are believed to contribute
to premature aging and dementia] (very potent one)
- antiseptic
[an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying
pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
- antispasmodic
[an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
- anti-tumor
(inhibits tumor cell formation)
- anti-viral
[an agent that destroys viruses]
- blood
thinner
- carminative
[an agent for easing griping pains, colic and expelling gas from the intestines]
- cholagogue
[an agent for increasing the flow of bile into the intestines]
- diaphoretic
[an agent that promotes perspiration]
- digestive
[aids the digestive system]
- diuretic
[an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary
system]
- expectorant
[an agent that promotes the discharge of mucous and secretions from the respiratory
passages]
- febrifuge
[an agent that reduces or eliminates fevers]
- stimulant
[an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues
giving more energy]
- stomachic
[an agent that strengthens, stimulates or tones the stomach]
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Usage of Garlic
Medicinal
Parts Used: Fresh bulbs, dried bulbs, and Garlic oil
Garlic is used for:
Bacterial
and Viral Conditions
- fights
bacteria like an antibiotic
- inhibits
the growth of different species of bacteria
- stimulates
the growth of healthy bacteria in the system
- viruses
Garlic is reported to be more effective than penicillin against:
- the
organisms responsible for cholera, dysentery and enteritis
- paratyphoid
disease
- putrefactive
intestinal bacteria
- streptococcus
and staphylococcus bacteria
- typhus
disease
One
medium clove of Garlic can equal the antibacterial action equivalent
to 1% penicillin
Blood
Conditions
- dissolves
blood clots
- reduces
fat levels in the blood
Brain
and Nervous System Conditions
Cardiovascular
Conditions
- angina
pectoris
- arteriosclerosis
- balances
blood pressure
- decreases
triglycerides
- helps
maintain healthy circulation
- helps
prevents atherosclerosis (plaque build up in the arteries causing blockage
and possibly leading to heart attack or stroke)
- improves
circulation
- lowers
blood pressure
- may
prevent blood clots
- mild
hypertension
- prevents
thrombosis (counteracts the tendency of clot forming cells to stick together
within the blood vessels)
- protects
against cardiovascular disease
- reduces
blood pressure in hypertensive conditions
- thins
the blood (which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke)
Ear
Conditions
Garlic
oil drops can be used for
- earache
- ear
infection are put in the ears for and
- otitis
media, (an ear infection) a combination herbal extract (also used as ear drops)
containing
- Garlic
- Calendula,
- Mullein flower
- St.
John's Wort
Gastrointestinal
Conditions
- chronic
stomach and intestinal catarrh
- digestive
infections
- relieves
belching and heaviness
- relieves
colic
- relieves
gas (flatulence)
- relieves
nausea
- rids
the body of intestinal parasites, especially pinworms
- stimulates
the activity of the digestive organs
- ulcers
Genitourinary
Conditions
- dropsy
- urinary
infections
- fluid
retention
Immune
System Conditions
- fights
infection
- improves
resistance to infection
- increases
the activity of white blood cells and T-helper cells (natural killer cells),
the cells that are central to the activity of the entire immune system infections
of the body
- preventative
measure for infectious diseases
- stimulates
the body's natural defenses against foreign invaders
- protects
cell membranes and DNA from damage
Inflammatory
Conditions
- arthritis
- infantile
catarrh
Liver
Conditions
- lowers
cholesterol while increasing the level of beneficial HDL's (high-density lipoproteins)
the so-called good
- cholesterol
- may
help lower homocysteine levels (similar to cholesterol which may contribute
to increasing amounts of blood clots and plaque in blood vessels)
- regularizes
liver and gallbladder activity
- stimulates
the production of the liver's own detoxifying enzymes which neutralize carcinogens
and other
- environmental
toxins
Metabolic
Conditions
- balances
blood sugar
- late-onset
diabetes
Parasitic
Conditions
- Ascaris
lumbricoides (roundworm) especially fresh, raw Garlic
Respiratory
Tract Conditions
- asthma
- breathing
difficulties
- chronic
bronchitis
- colds
(reduces symptoms faster)
- coughs
and hoarseness
- inhibits
the growth of the bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the organism responsible
for tuberculosis (high doses)
- preventative
measure for colds and influenza
- sinusitis
- upper
respiratory infections (especially infections deep in the lungs and throat
and in the nasal passages or sinuses)
Skin
Conditions
- acne
- cutaneous
eruptions
- pimples
Other
Conditions
- cancer
(people who include more raw or cooked garlic in their diet are less likely
to have certain types of cancer especially:
- colon
cancer
- stomach
cancer
- skin
cancer
Dietary
Garlic may also offer some protection against the development of:
- breast
cancer
- laryngeal
(throat) cancer
- prostate
cancer
- stimulates
cell growth and activity
- tumors
- wounds
Externally:
Garlic is used in Oil, Ointments or Poultices for:
- abscesses
- arthritis
- dispelling
hard swellings
- earaches
- insect
bites
- scrofulous
sores
- toothache
- wounds
Other
Uses:
- a
culinary herb (when ingesting the raw cloves, a sprig of parsley or a few
cumin seeds chewed immediately after will freshen the breath)
Dosage:
- Whole
Garlic clove - 2-4g/day fresh, minced garlic clove (each clove is approximately
1g)
- Dried
- 600-900mg daily
- Infusion:
4 grams in 150 mL of water/day
- Fluid
extract of 1:5 4 mL/day
- Oil
- 0.03-0.12mL 3/day
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Precautions
Caution:
Side
effects may include:
Internally
- upset
stomach,
- bloating,
- bad
breath,
- body
odor
- headache
- fatigue
- loss
of appetite
- muscle
aches
- vertigo
- allergic
asthmatic reaction
Externally
a
stinging sensation on the skin from handling too much fresh or dried garlic
can cause blistering if applied to delicate skin
handling may also cause the appearance of skin lesions
contact dermatitis (skin rash).
Due
to Garlic's blood-thinning properties it should not be used
by people:
- with
bleeding disorders such as:
- hemophilia
- platelet
disorders
Too
much Garlic can increase your risk for bleeding during or after:
- delivering a baby
- undergoing
surgery
Drug
Interactions
Do
not use Garlic supplements without first talking to your healthcare
practitioner if taking any of the medications below:
Antiplatelet
medications (Garlic may exaggerate the activity of medications that
inhibit the action of platelets in the body) including:
- aspirin
- dipyridamole
- indomethacin
Blood-thinning
medications (large quantities of Garlic, either fresh or commercially
prepared may increase the risk of bleeding) including:
Sulfonylureas - A class of diabetes medications (Garlic may lower blood sugar considerably
so when using Garlic with these medications, blood sugar levels should be monitored
must be followed closely) including:
- chlorpropamide
- glimepiride
- glyburide.
Protease
inhibitors - a medication used to treat people with the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) (Garlic may reduce blood levels of protease inhibitors) including:
- indinavir
- ritinavir
- saquinavir.
Statins - a class of cholesterol lowering medications (Garlic may behave similarly
to Statins) including:
ACE
inhibitors - a class of blood pressure lowering medications (Garlic
may behave similarly to ACE inhibitors so it is recommended not to take large
quantities of Garlic with any of these medications) including:
- captopril
- enalapril
- lisinopril
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Products
Global
Herbal Supplies has Garlic available in the following
forms:
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Research
Articles
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
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