Allium sativum
(Garlic)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Ameliorates numerous factors which promote atherogenesis
• Antibacterial, including:
  
  Alpha- and beta-hemolytic Bacillus
  Brucella
  Citrobacter sp.
  Escherichia coli
  Klebsiella pneumoniae
  Mycobacteria
  Proteus vulgaris
  Salmonella enteritidis
  Staphylococcus aureus
  Streptococcus
  Vibrio
• Antifungal, including:
  
  Candida albicans
  Epidermophyton
  Microsporum
  Trichophyton
• Antihelminthic, including:
  
  Ascaris lumbricoides
  Hookworms
• Antineoplastic
• Antispasmodic
• Antiviral
• Carminative
• Decongestant
• Decreases systolic pressure for 20-30 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by 10-20 mm Hg
• Diaphoretic
• Digestive stimulant
• Diuretic
• Activates natural killer cells and T cells
• Emmenagogue
• Expectorant
• Hypoglycemic action - allicin competes with insulin for insulin-inactivating compounds allowing for more free insulin to be in circulation
• Inhibits cyclo-oxygenase, the enzyme needed to convert arachidonic acid to thromboxane A2 which is the most potent stimulus of platelet aggregation
• Inhibits lipoxygenase, interrupting the synthesis of leukotrienes, thromboxanes and prostaglandins
• Inhibits nitrosamine formation
• Increases serum fibrinolytic activity
• Lowers lipids (LDL and VLDL) while increasing HDL
• Rubefacient

Clinical Indications:

• AIDS
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Atherosclerosis
• Attention deficit disorder
• Bronchitis
• Cancer prevention
• Candidiasis
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hypertension
• Otitis media
• Psoriasis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Flatulence
• Fungal infections of the skin - use topically
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Inflammatory conditions
• Nausea
• Parasite infections
• Respiratory disorders
• Vaginitis

Contraindications:

• Acute inflammation
• Dehydration
• Hypoglycemia
• Impending surgery
• Insomnia
• Large amounts can decrease the uptake of iodine by the thyroid
• Organ transplants
• Pemphigus
• Sulphur compounds of garlic may be difficult for some patients to digest

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Insulin dosage should be monitored due to the hypoglycemic activity
• Warfarin's anticoagulant effect is increased due to the fibrinolytic activity of allicin, trisulfides, ajoene and adenosine

Chemical Constituents:

• Allicin
• Alliin
• Enzymes including:
  
  Alliinase
  Myrosinase
  Peroxidase
• High concentrations of trace minerals, particularly selenium and germanium
• Mucilage
• Phytosterols
• Resin
• Sulphur compounds
• Vitamins

Toxicity:

• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Goitrogenic (agent that promotes goiter growth in the thyroid)
• Irritation to digestive tract
• Leukocytosis (increased white blood cells in the blood)

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).