Garlic

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What does Garlic do?

Garlic as a medicinal herb is used as a preventative for age related vascular changes. It is also used for the treatment of arteriosclerosis, colds, coughs, fevers, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infections, intestinal parasites, inflammation of the mouth, inflammation of the pharynx, and for those with a tendency towards infection. It is effective as a supportive to dietary measures for elevated lipid levels in the blood. It can be used orally (pills, capsules, syrups, tinctures, etc). or topically.

Should my health care professional be advised before I take Garlic?

They should be consulted first if you have any of these conditions, as Garlic usage may be contraindicated: If you are taking an anticoagulant (it may increase blood clotting time)

Are there other times my health care professional needs to be advised before I take Garlic?

They should be consulted first if you are: Pregnant or trying to get pregnant Breast-feeding (may cause colic in babies) If you plan to administer this herb to a child

How should I take this herb?

Take Garlic capsules or tablets by mouth. Swallow the capsules with a large drink of water. For the best bioavailability and if you have a sensitive stomach, it is often recommended that you take Garlic fresh or as a tincture or syrup. Allicin, the known important constituent in Garlic's healing abilities, is unstable and therefore difficult to control in manufacture. Fresh garlic is therefore the preferred method of intake. You can take Garlic with or without food.

What should the dosage be?

Capsules, pills, or tablets: It is usually recommended that the daily dosage for an adult should be an extract standardized to at least 13% Allicin. At 300 mg, taken 2 to 3 times per day,. Fresh: 4 gm (approximately1 fresh clove) a day as a prophylactic to 3 cloves a day when infections are occurring. Juice: 10 to 30 drops a day Syrup : 1qt water boiling to 1lb fresh cut cloves, seep 12 hours in closed container, add sugar to thicken consistency or 1.5 oz sugar to 1 oz raw expressed juice, take equivalent of 4 grams/day. Topically: Raw expressed juice in a 1:1 solution with water or alcohol applied topically Inhaled: Raw expressed juice in a 1:1 solution with water, or alcohol inhaled antiseptically. Poultice: Fresh macerated cloves or juice are combined with lard (1:1) apply externally several times a day.

What side effects may I notice from taking Garlic?

If you experience any of these side effects, stop usage immediately and report them to your health care professional. Colic in babies. May increase blood clotting time (if large dosages are taken). Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (stop usage and report it to your health care professional if they are continuing or bothersome): Bad breath and unpleasant smell emanating from the b.d. (much less likely if using enteric tablet form). Stomach upset / Indigestion (less likely if taken in tablet form or with protein) Diarrhea Contact Irritation (rare) Allergies (rare)

What do I need to watch out for with Garlic?

Read labels carefully before purchasing . There have been reported cases of herbal products being sold that did not contain active ingredients (the herbs active constituents) needed to be of any therapeutic value. Buying a standardized product when purchasing tinctures, capsule, or tablets may reduce the possibility of this occurrence. Look also for products that are clearly labeled with the ingredients contained and amounts.

Where can I keep my herbal product?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F). The raw herb, tinctures or infusions should be stored in airtight, dry, and light resistant containers. If there is an expiration date listed on the herbal product, throw away the unused portion after the expiration date. Raw herbs, tinctures, ointments, etc all have varying life spans. Generally, an herbal product will have the longest life span when it has been extracted in alcohol.

Can you tell me a little more about Garlic?

Cultivated worldwide, Common Garlic's original geographical origins are difficult to ascertain. Many people believe it originated in Central Asia or Siberia. It can now be found growing naturally around the world where it is well known as both a seasoning and medicinal plant. Garlic is a perennial herb with a segmented bulb and long, flat, narrow leaves. The most utilized p.r. of the plant is the segmented bulb, which breaks apart into "cloves". White to light purple flowers terminate the end of the plants stalk. These flowers grow in a cluster that is contained within a spathae (papery sheath). The spathae also contain the small bulbils (bulbs). Garlic grows well in sunny locations where the soil is rich and sandy and kept relatively moist. There are many different species of Garlic and all have some beneficial medicinal qualities. It is the cultivated common garlic, however, that has received significant research and is usually utilized in commercial preparations for it's therapeutic qualities. Other species of Garlic are: A. vineale, A. oleraceum, A. ursinum, A. odurum, and A. fragrans, to name just a few.

What are the actions that have been associated with the herb?

Garlic is considered an antibacterial, antimycotic, and lipid-lowering herb. It inhibits platelet aggregation, enhances fibrinolytic behavior, and slows down bleeding and clotting time. When garlic's constituent Alliin comes into contact with the enzyme Allinase a chemical reaction occurs which produces Allicin. This action occurs when the bulb is crushed, bruised, chopped, or heated. It is this chemical, Allicin, which has demonstrated the antiseptic qualities. Garlic also, reduces serum cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol absorption. It may have hypolipidemic, or fat reducing action. Garlic has the ability to inhibit the enzymes lipooxygenase and cycloxygenase slowing prostagladindin production.

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