Garlic

Biological Name: (Allium sativum)

Family: Liliaceae

Other Names: Lashan, Rasonam, Lashuna, Veluthulli, Ugragandha, Mlecchagandha, Lesan

Parts Used: Bulb, Root

 

Wildcrafted's Therapeutic Creams & Compounds containing Garlic

• Currently non of our products contain Garlic
  

Active Constituents of Garlic (Allium sativum):

• The sulfur compound allicin, produced by crushing or chewing fresh garlic, in turn produces other sulfur compounds: ajoene, allyl sulfides, and vinyldithiins.

 

Uses based on scientific evidence:

First Use
Cardiovascular disease

Second Use
Common cold

Other Uses
Cancer (by strengthening the immune system), antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal.

 

Traditional Uses in Herbal Medicine (some of these uses have not yet been scientifically tested and verified):

Disorders:

• Asthma, Atherosclerosis,
• Blood and lymph cleanser,
• Colds and flu, Colic, Congestive heart failure, Convulsions, Cough
• Edema
• Heart disease, Hemorrhoids, High cholesterol, Hypertension (high blood pressure), Hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides), Hysteria
• Immune function, Impotence, Indigestion, Intermittent claudication
• Nerve and bone tissue rejuvenative
• Paralysis
• Recurrent ear infection, Rheumatism
• Skin diseases
• T. B., Tremor, Tumors
• Round worms
• Yeast infection.

 

Therapeutic Actions:

Alterative, anthelmintic, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, detoxifier, disinfectant, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, rubefacient, rejuvenative, stimulant, vesicant.

Many marvellous effects and healing powers have been ascribed to Garlic. It possesses stimulant and stomachic properties in addition to its other virtues. As an antiseptic, its use has long been recognized. In WWII it was widely employed in the control of suppuration in wounds. The raw juice is expressed, diluted with water, and put on swabs of sterilized Sphagnum moss, which are applied to the wound. Where this treatment has been given, it has been proved that there have been no septic results, and the lives of thousands of men have been saved by its use.

It is sometimes externally applied in ointments and lotions, and as an antiseptic, to disperse hard swellings, also pounded and employed as a poultice for scrofulous sores. It is said to prevent anthrax in cattle, being largely used for the purpose.

Circulatory Effects:

More than 250 publications have shown that garlic supports the cardiovascular system. It may lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, inhibit platelet stickiness (aggregation), and increase fibrinolysis-which results in a slowing of blood coagulation. It is mildly antihypertensive and has antioxidant activity.

Note: Garlic only keeps clotting in check, a benefit for persons at risk for cardiovascular disease. It cannot effectively replace stronger anticlotting drugs; its primary value is as a preventive.

Antimicrobial Actions:

Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal activity' It may work against some intestinal parasites. Garlic appears to have roughly 1 % the strength of penicillin against certain types of bacteria. This means it is not a substitute for antibiotics, but it can be considered as a support against some bacterial infections. Candida albicans growth is inhibited by garlic, and garlic has shown long-term benefit for recurrent yeast infections.

Anticancer Actions:

Human population studies show that eating garlic regularly reduces the risk of esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer. This is partly due to garlic's ability to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds. Animal and test tube studies also show that garlic, and its sulfur compounds, inhibit the growth of different types of cancer-especially breast and skin tumors.

Miscellaneous

Garlic is often applied to indolent tumors, ulcerated surfaces and wounds. A poultice of the bulb is used for scrofulous sores and ring worm. A clove of Garlic when introduced into the ear passage give relief of ear-ache. It is locally used in sciatica, paralysis and neuralgic pains. Raw Garlic juice is inhaled in whooping cough and pulmonary tuberculosis. The oil in which Garlic has been fried is believed to be a useful liniment for rheumatic pains, nervous diseases like infantile convulsions, scabies and maggot infested wounds.

Garlic is useful for fevers, coughs, flatulence, disorders of the nervous system, agues, dropsical affections, pulmonary phthisis, whooping cough, gangrene of the lung and dilated bronchi. A decoction of garlic made with milk and water is given in hysteria, flatulence and sciatica. A syrup of garlic is a valuable remedy for asthma, hoarseness, disorders of the chest and lungs. The garlic oil is useful for paralytic and rheumatic affections.

Other indications include:

Metabolic regulator, expectorant, vasodilatory, antitoxic, gentle antibiotic and antiseptic. Shows antitumor activity.

May help to prevent heart disease and cancer, thought to help control leprosy.

Used for chronic bronchitis, flu, pneumonia convalescence, infections, ulcerous sores, and worms.

Used as a preventative against infectious diseases, gangrene and sepsis.

Used for bronchial and lung infections, severe gut infections, dystentary, typhoid, cholera, tuberculosis, leprosy, colds, thrush, mouth infections, dental infections, tonsillitis, throat infections, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, susceptibility to strokes, jaundice, flatulence, improved assimilation of vitamin B-1 (thiamine), malignant conditions, coronary and anginal conditions, phlebitis, varicose ulcers, stagnant or infective conditions, blood sugar levels.

 

Dosage:

Some people chew one whole clove of raw garlic per day. For those who prefer it, odor-controlled, enteric-coated tablets or capsules with standardized allicin potential can be taken at 400-500 mg once or twice per day (providing up to 5,000 mcg of allicin). Alternatively, a tincture of 2-4 ml can be taken three times daily.

Safety:

Most people enjoy garlic. However, some individuals who are sensitive to it may experience heartburn and flatulence.

Because of garlic's anti-clotting properties, persons taking anticoagulant drugs should check with their nutritionally oriented doctor before taking garlic. Those scheduled for surgery should inform their surgeon if they are taking garlic supplements.

There are no known contra-indications to the use of garlic during pregnancy and lactation.