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Garlic Cloves
Allium Sativum |
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Description and
Constituents of herb
Garlic consists of the fresh or dried bulbs, which comprise the main bulb with several
secondary bulbs (cloves). Garlic contains alliin and its degradation products and
sulfur-containing essential oil. Other constituents include vitamins A, B, C and E,
adenosine, phytosterols, flavonoids, lipids, proteins and amino acids. |
Modern Uses
Garlic is used in the West primarily for its cardiovascular effects, principally as a
support to dietetic measures at elevated levels of lipids in blood and as a preventative
measure for age-dependent vascular changes, according to the Commission E. This also
includes use for atheroma, prophylaxis of atherosclerosis; hypertension, plus use for
respiratory infections and catarrhal conditions. |
Dosage
Unless otherwise recommended
 | The recommended dose of garlic is 400mg of garlic three times a day with food. |
| Garlic products should be standardized to contain a total ariin content of 1.0-1.4
percent per dose. |
| Garlic products may also be standardized to contain I 0- 12mg/gm of Diin, 90 percent
allinase activity and 4mg total allicin potential (TAP) per dose. |
Correct Usage
| Garlic products should be taken for at least 4 weeks before full effects can be
expected. |
| Garlic products are available odor free. Ask your pharmacist. |
Other Dosage Forms:
| 4 g fresh garlic; equivalent preparations. |
| Preparations equivalent to 4 - 12 mg of alliin (approx. 2 - 5 mg of allicin) |
| fully-dried powder, 400 - 1200 mg |
| fresh (air-dried) bulb, 2 - 5 g |
| garlic oil, 2 - 5 mg. |
| Dried bulb: 2 - 4 g three times daily. |
| Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol) 2 - 4 ml three times daily. |
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Actions
Antibacterial, antimycotic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anthelmintic,
hypotensive, lipid-lowering, inhibition of platelet aggregation, prolongation of bleeding
time and clotting time, enhancement of fibrinolytic activity, lowering of blood viscosity,
antiviral, expectorant, diaphoretic, antioxidant.
Contraindications
May interfere with existing hypoglycemic and anticoagulant therapies. May potentiate
the antithrombotic effects of anti-inflammatory drugs, and is likely to be synergistic
with EPA in fish oils. Gastrointestinal irritation may occur particularly if the clove is
eaten raw by individuals not accustomed to ingesting garlic. Pregnancy and lactation: Garlic
is a reputed abortifacient and has been reported to affect the menstrual cycle. It is also
reported to be uteroactive. However, there is no experimental or clinical documentation
suggesting adverse effects of consuming garlic during pregnancy and lactation.
Side Effects and Warnings
| Garlic has been reported to be safe in recommended doses. |
| Garlic may cause side effects such as stomach discomfort in some individuals.
Discontinue use if this symptom occurs. |
| Individuals on any of the following medications should only take garlic under a doctor's
supervision:
 | Anticoagulant (blood thining) medications such as warfarin (Coumadin), because garlic
may increase the chance of bleeding. |
| Medications for diabetes, because garlic may further lower blood sugar levels. |
| Medications that lower blood pressure, because garlic may further lower blood pressure. |
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| Use only under a doctor's supervision when pregnant or breast feeding. |
| Always tell your pharmacist, doctor and other health care providers of all prescription
drugs, over-the- counter medications and other dietary supplements that you are currently
taking. There may be a potential for interactions and side effects. |
| Burning sensation in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, nausea, diarrhea, and
vomiting. Contact dermatitis from occupational exposure may occur. |
| Garlic is not a drug; it is a dietary supplement. In order to carry a claim of
nutritional support, its manufacturer or distributor is required by law to state the
following: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease." |
| Note: The odor of garlic may pervade the breath and skin. |
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Interactions with Conventional Drugs
A potential interaction between garlic and anticoagulant, drugs, such as warfarin has
been documented |
Mode of administration
The minced bulb and preparations thereof for internal use. Commercial preparations
include oil-filled capsules and tablets. |
Pharmacology:
There are several important actions that are attributed to the sulfur containing
compounds in garlic. These compounds (allicin and alliin) are reported to have
anti-infective effects against bacteria and fungi. Garlic is claimed to inhibit
nitrosamine formation, which has lead to it being studied in cancer patients. It is
thought that garlic either helps in increasing the release of insulin or has
insulin-sparing properties. Garlic lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and
triglycerides, and increases HDL cholesterol. Garlic may be of benefit in the prevention
of heart disease and atherosclerosis. Garlic may inhibit platelet aggregation and
influence blood viscosity through its fibrinolytic activity. This leads to the use of
garlic in the prevention of strokes, heart attacks and various thrombus events. |
Regulatory Status
| Canada: Food supplement. |
| France: Accepted for the treatment of minor circulatory disorders. |
| Germany: Approved by Commission E as nonprescription drug. |
| Sweden: Classified as a natural product. |
| UK: General Sale List. |
| U.S.: GRAS, but only as oil, extract or oleo resin; dietary supplement. |
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AHPA Botanical Safety Rating:
Class 2c: Several potential types of adverse reactions noted, primarily
gastrointestinal upsets in sensitive persons. |
Comments
Garlic is the largest selling herb in drug stores and mass market retail outlets. It is
also one of the most extensively researched herbs with hundreds of scientific studies on
its chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and clinical studies. Two meta-analyses of studies
conducted on the ability of commercial garlic preparations to lower LDL cholesterol and
triglycerides have confirmed garlic's ability to lower total cholesterol by an average of
9 - 12 percent. Used primarily for its well-documented cardiovascular benefits in Europe
and in the U.S., it has also been researched for its chemopreventive properties by the
National Cancer Institute. |
References
- Blumenthal, M., J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins and R.S. Rister (eds.), S. Klein and
R.S. Rister (trans.). 1997. German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic Monographs on
Medicinal Plants for Human Use. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council'(in press).
- Bradley, P (ed.). 1992. British Herbal Compendium Vol I. Dorset, England: British
Herbal Medicine Association.
- NewAl, C.A., L.A. Anderson and J.D. Phillipson. 1996. Herbal Medicines.- A Guide for
Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.
- Tisserand, R. and T. Balacs. 1995, Essential Oil Safety.- A Guide for Health Care
Professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
- McGuffin, M., C. Hobbs, R. Upton, A. Goldberg. 1997. American Herbal Product
Association Botanical Safety Handbook.- Guidelines for the Safe Use and Labeling for Herbs
of Commerce. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press (in press).
- Foster, S. 1996. Garlic. Botanical Booklet Series No. 31 1 Austin,TX: American
Botanical Council.
- Koch, H.P and L.D. Lawson (eds.). 1996. Garlic: The Science and Therapeutic Application
of Mium sativum L. and Related Species 2nd ed. Baltimore: Williams and
WiMns.
- De Smet, PA.G.M., K. Keller, R. Hansel, R.F. Chandler. 1993. Adverse Effects of
herbal Drugs Vol. 2. Berlin: Springer- Veriag.
- Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in
Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
- Liberti, L. (ed.). 1993. Oil of Evening Primrose Monograph, Lawrence Review of
natural Products. Levittown, PA: Pharmaceutical Information Associates.
- Warshafsky, S., R-S. Kramer, S.L. Sivak. 1993. Effect of Garlic on Total Serum
Cholesterol. Annals Int. Med. 1 19: 599- 605.
- Silagy, C., and A.W. Neil. 1994. Garlic as a lipid-lowering agent Total Serum Cholesj
Royal Coll. Physicians London 28: 39-45.
- Awang, D.V.C. 1997. Personal communication, May 5
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Last modified: August 28, 2000
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Herbal
Pharmacist - For Better Health 
