Botanical Index No. 442

Garlic

allium sativum

Medicinal Actions

High Triglyceride, Alexeteric, Alterative, Amebicide, Analgesic, Androgenic, Antiaflatoxin, Antiaggregant, Antiallergic, Antiandrogenic, Antiatherosclerotic, Antiarthritic, Antiatherogenic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticholinesterase, Antidiabetic, Antidote, Antifertility, Antigiardial, Antiinflammatory, Antiintegrase, Antioxidant, Antimycotic, Antiprostaglandin, Antipyretic, Antirheumatic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antistress, Antithrombic, Antithyroid, Antitumor, Antiulcer, Antiviral, Cardiotonic, Carminative, Choleretic, Decongestant, Detoxicant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Edemagenic, Emmenagogue, Estrogenic, Expectorant, Fibrinolytic, Fungicide, Gastrotonic, Glutathionigenic, Hepatoprotective, Hyperglycemic, Hypocholesterolemic, Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic, Hypoperistaltic, Hypotensive, Hypotriglyceridemic, Hypouricemic, Immunostimulant, Interleukenogenic, Larvicide, Lipolytic, Lymphocytogenic, Myocontractant, Myorelaxant, NO-Genic, Orexigenic, Ovicide, Oxytocic, Parasiticide, Phagocytotic, Protisticide, Sedative, Spermicide, Tonic, Colic, antiseptic to Aeromonas, antiseptic to Aspergillus, antiseptic to Bacillus, antiseptic to Candida albicans, antiseptic to Citrobacter, antiseptic to Cryptococcus, antiseptic to Epidermophyton, antiseptic to Escherichia coli, antiseptic to Herpes, antiseptic to Influenza, antiseptic to Klebsiela, antiseptic to Microsporum, antiseptic to Proteus, antiseptic to Providencia, antiseptic to Rhodotorula, antiseptic to Salmonella paratyphi, antiseptic to Salmonella typhi, antiseptic to Shigella dysenterica, antiseptic to Staphylococcus aureus, antiseptic to Torulopsis, antiseptic to Trichomonas spp, antiseptic to Trichophyton, antiseptic to Trichosporum, antiseptic to Vibrio cholerae, synergizes antiaggregant activity of dipyramidole, Antilipoxygenase, Antiseptic to Aeromonas

Primary Conditions Treated

Cryptococcus Cystosis Cytomegalovirus Deafness Debility Dementia Dermatosis Diabetes Diarrhea Diphtheria Dropsy Dysentery Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Dyspnea Earache Edema Enterosis Epigastrosis Epilepsy Escherichia Felon Fever Fibroid Filaria Flu Fungus Gangrene Gas Gastroenterosis Gastrosis Giardia Gout Headache Helicobacter Hemorrhoid Hepatosis Hepatotoxicity Herpes High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol HIV Hookworm Hyperglycemia Hyperlipidemia Hyperperistalsis Hypoglycemia Hypotension Hysteria Immunodepression Immunosuppression Impotence Induration Infection Inflammation Insanity Insomnia Intermittent Claudication Keratosis Laryngosis Lead Poisoning Leishmaniasis Leprosy Leukemia Leukoderma Lumbago Lupus Lymphoma Malaria Mange Melancholy Meningosis Menopause Mucososis Myalgia Mycosis Myofascitis Nausea Nephrosis Nervousness Neuralgia Nicotinism Obesity Odontosis Otosis Pain Palpitation Paradentosis Paralysis Parasite Paratyphoid Paratyphus Pertussis Pharyngosis Pinworm Pneumonia Poliomyelosis Polyp Pulmonosis Pulposis Raynaud’s Syndrome Respirosis Rheumatism Rhinosis Ringworm Roundworm Salmonella Scabies Sciatica Senile Dementia Sepsis Shigella Sinusosis Snakebite Sore Sore Throat Splenosis Sporotrichosis Staphylococcus Stomachache Stomatosis Streptococcus Swelling Syncope Tapeworm Thirst Thrombosis Tonsilosis Trachoma Trichomoniasis Trypanosomiasis Tuberculosis Tumor Typhoid Typhus Ulcer Ulcus cruris UTI Vaginosis Varicosis Virus Wart Water Retention Wen Whitlow Worm Wound Yeast Acarifuge Aphrodisiac Insectifuge Insulin-Sparing Nervine NKC-Enhancer Rubefacient Tick Vasodilator Vermifuge Vulnerary Abscess Acne Adenopathy Aegilops Aging Allergy Alopecia Altitude Sickness Ameba Amebiasis Anemia Anorexia Appendicitis Aphtha Arthrosis Asthma Atherosclerosis Athlete’s Foot Bacillus Bacteria Bite Boil Bronchiectasis Bronchosis Burn Callus Cancer abdomen bladder colon gland lung prostate skin stomach uterus Candida Carbuncle Cardiopathy Caries Catarrh Celiac Childbirth Cholecystosis Cholera Chronic Fatigue Coccidiosis Cold Colitis Colosis Congestion Constipation Convulsion Corn Cough Cramp forskolin indomethacin and prostacyclin atherosclerosis cardiopathy GI disorders high cholesterol high blood pressure supportive to dietary measures at elevated levels of lipids in blood preventative measures for age-dependent vascular changes bronchosis cold cough fever pharyngosis stomatosis tendency to infection Insulin-sparing activity Aspergillus Candida albicans Citrobacter Epidermophyton Escherichia coli Influenza Klebsiela Microsporum Proteus Providencia Rhodotorula Salmonella paratyphi Salmonella typhi Shigella dysenterica Staphylococcus aureus Torulopsis Trichomonas spp Trichophyton Trichosporum and Vibrio cholerae

General Dosage

9–15 g fresh bulb; 0.25–0.5 cup fresh bulb; 6–12 g dry bulb; 9 g dry bulb:45 ml alcohol/45 ml water; 1–5 cloves/day; 2–4 g 3 ×/day; 4 g garlic or one average clove; 5000 µg allicin/day; 4 g fresh garlic/day; 1.5–6 g fresh tuber; 2–4 ml tincture 3 ×/day; 0.03–0.12 ml garlic oil/day; 1–2 minims garlic oil; 2–8 ml garlic syrup; 2–4 ml garlic juice; 1 StX/day; 3–4 capsules 3 ×/day; 1 enteric coated 400 mg tablet 1 ×/day at mealtime; 600–900 mg/day coated garlic. 4 g fresh garlic or equivalent preparations 4 g garlic or one average clove; 5000 µg allicin/day; 4 g fresh garlic/day; 1.5–6 g fresh tuber; 2–4 ml tincture 3 ×/day; 0.03–0.12 ml garlic oil/day; 1–2 minims garlic oil; 2–8 ml garlic syrup; 2–4 ml garlic juice; 1 StX/day; 3–4 capsules 3 ×/day; 1 enteric coated 400 mg tablet 1 ×/day at mealtime; 600–900 mg/day coated garlic.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2c. Some thiol-bearing compounds in garlic, onion, and their relatives can cause acantholysis in vitro and possibly pemphigus in vivo. “More than 5 cloves a day may induce gas and heartburn and ‘thin blood’”. “May potentiate the effect of antihypertensive and anticoagulant medications” LD50 = 60 mg/kg ivn mouse, 120 mg/kg scu mouse. Rats fed up to 2000 mg/kg garlic extract for 6 months showed no weight loss but did show a slightly reduced food intake relative to controls.” There were no changes in renal function, hematologic parameters, or selected serologic parameters, and there was no evidence of any pathologic changes in organs or tissues. Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects — Class 2c. Some thiol-bearing compounds in garlic, onion, and their relatives can cause acantholysis in vitro and possibly pemphigus in vivo. “More than 5 cloves a day may induce gas and heartburn and ‘thin blood’”. “May potentiate the effect of antihypertensive and anticoagulant medications”. No known contraindications during pregnancy and lactation. Some people are very allergic to garlic. Contraindicated in hyperthyroidism. Commission E reports rare GI disturbances, allergic reactions, change of odor of skin and breath. Sulphides may irritate the GI tract or cause dermatosis. Allergic reactions of contact dermatosis and severe asthmatic attacks. Topical application of garlic or garlic oil may cause local irritating effects. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur following ingestion of fresh garlic bulbs, extracts, or oil. Fresh garlic is reportedly dangerous to children. Use sparingly with children under 2 years; may irritate mouth or stomach if used too liberally. Though possibly “useful for mild hypertension ... routine use is not recommended.” “Avoid concomitant use ... with NSAIDS, anticoagulants, and drugs that inhibit liver metabolism, ciproflaxin, clarithromycin, diltiazem, enoxacin, erythromycin, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, paroxetine, ritonavir) may at least additively and perhaps synergistically interact with garlic.” Watch also with drugs extensively metabolized by the liver, imipramine, phenytoin, propranolol, terfenadine, theophylline, triazolam, warfarin, and drugs that may be affected by liver inhibition. MAM tabulates allergic contact dermatosis, burning GI sensations, diaphoresis, diarrhea, light-headedness, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, nausea, spinal epidural hematoma, and vomiting as side effects of garlic. At 3 × 300 mg/day coated garlic powder tablet, GI discomfort was the most frequent side effect; also bloating, dizziness, headache, hypotensive circulatory reactions, outbreaks of sweating; daily doses of 900–1200 mg were associated with garlic odor.

!