Garlic

Allium sativum

Garlic has been used since time immemorial as a culinary spice and medicinal herb. Garlic has been cultivated in the Middle East for more than 5,000 years and has been an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Garlic is mentioned in the Bible and by Hippocrates, Galen, Pliny the Elder, and Dioscorides for many conditions, including parasites, respiratory problems, poor digestion, and low energy. Its use in China was first mentioned in A.D. 510. Louis Pasteur studied the antibacterial action of garlic in 1858.

ANTI-MICROBIAL - Garlic exerts broad-spectrum effects against many types of bacteria, virus, worms, and fungi. These findings appear to support the historical use of garlic in treating a variety of infectious conditions. Garlic is an effective ANTI-CANDIDA remedy, more potent than the popular conventional treatment NYSTATIN. Garlic has even been used effectively to treat the serious fungal infection cryptococcal meningitis.
IMMUNE BOOSTING - Garlic possesses both immune enhancing and anti-cancer properties. Garlic extracts and allicin have displayed anti-tumour effects. Epidemiological studies demonstrate an inverse relationship between cancer rates and garlic intake. Garlic exerts a strong anti-viral response to the influenza virus, herpes simplex 1 & 2, vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and the human rhinovirus type 2.
CARDIO-TONIC - Garlic has a protective effect on cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. Garlic inhibits platelet aggregation thus reducing blood 'stickiness' and risk of atherosclerosis. Garlic is also FIBRINOLYTIC - fibrinogen is an acute-phase protein involved in the blood clotting system and is a more important marker in cardiovascular disease than cholesterol.
HYPOGLYCAEMIC ACTION - Garlic has been used in the treatment of diabetes. Its effect on lowering blood sugar appears to be due to increased hepatic metabolism, an increased release of insulin, or an insulin-sparing effect.
ANTIOXIDANT - Garlic contains sulphur proteins that have been shown to increase intracellular glutathione levels, thus increasing cellular function and decreasing premature ageing. Garlic's antioxidant potential has been demonstrated in its ability to inhibit LDL oxidation. A study using 600mg garlic for 2 weeks showed a 34% reduction in lipoprotein oxidation compared with controls.

Dosage

500mg one to three times daily, for general immune support. Research suggests that 500-1000mg garlic daily is effective in cardiovascular conditions. At high doses garlic can cause irritation to the digestive tract. No restriction on long term use.

Potential applications

In folk medicine garlic has been utilised for inflammatory respiratory conditions, and bronchitis, headache, bites, worms, and tumours, toothache, earache, dandruff, hysteria, diarrhoea, dysentery, diphtheria and vaginitis. Garlic exerts diuretic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, and expectorant action. It is also carminative, anti-spasmodic, and digestant, making it useful in cases of flatulence, nausea, vomiting, colic, and indigestion.

Known contraindications

Some individuals are sensitive to garlic due to an inability to detoxify allicin and other sulphur containing components.

Interactions

Concomitant use of garlic with anti-coagulants such as coumadin and anti-platelets such as aspirin could increase the risk of bleeding.

Use in conjunction with

Candida - probiotics, Oregon-grape root, milk thistle, fibre complex

Note

Garlic is a rich source of sulphur compounds with high concentrations of trace minerals including selenium, vitamins, glucosinolates, and enzymes. Garlic was used as an antiseptic in the prevention of gangrene during World Wars 1 and 11.

References

Simon Mills & Kerry Bone. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Modern Herbal Medicine. 2000.
PDR for Herbal Medicines. Second Edition. 2000
Melvyn R. Werbach & Michael T. Murray. Botanical Influences on Illness. A source book of clinical research. 1994

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