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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.
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
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]
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
- epilepsy
- hysteria
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
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:
- aspirin
- warfarin
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:
- atorvastatin
- lovastatin
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
Global Herbal Supplies has Garlic available in the following forms:
- Garlic Essential Oil
- Garlic Herbal Extract
- Garlix Tablets
- Odourless Garlic Tablets
- Echinacea + Garlix Tablets
- Garlic Perles Capsules
- Garlic & Parsley Capsules
- Garlic Capsules - Blackmores, Nature's Sunshine
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.
