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by Richard Le & Andrew Vaughn. Garlic: Allium sativum. What is garlic?. A strongly scented herb belonging to genus Allium of the family Liliaceae or Lily Contains hundreds of constituents with at least 23 identified sulphur compounds
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by Richard Le & Andrew Vaughn Garlic: Allium sativum
What is garlic? • A strongly scented herb belonging to genus Allium of the family Liliaceae or Lily • Contains hundreds of constituents with at least 23 identified sulphur compounds • Common names are Knoblaunch (German), stinking rose, da suan (Chinese) • Other common trade names: Garlicin, Garlinase 4,000, Garlique, Kwai, & Wellness Garlicell
Plant Description • plants have flat, grayish-green leaves, which grow 1-2 feet • During bloom period, the plants send up slender stalks which produce edible flowers in a round, white bulb • single bulb is composed of 8 to 12 sections called cloves, which are held together by parchment-like covering.
History of Garlic • Sanskrit records the usage of garlic 5,000 years ago • Chinese have used garlic for at least 3,000 years • Aristotle & Hippocrates researched and wrote about garlic for medicinal usage
Traditional Use • Antiviral & antibacterial for the lungs: coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia • Garlic was and is still used in Chinese, Ayurvedic, and naturopathic medicine as an antibacterial/antiviral agent, an expectorant, & a wound dressing • Used to treat high blood pressure, colds, gastric ulcers, bacterial diarrhea, sinus infections, vaginal yeast infections, & otitis media • The antibacterial activity of garlic was confirmed by Louis Pasteur in 1858 • Used a topical cream to relieve wasp and bee stings
Medicinal Components • Medicinal portion of garlic is the bulb • Thiosulfanates (sulfur compounds) are main components of garlic • Odor of garlic is caused by enzymatic breakdown of alliin into allicin • Allicin is one of the most active ingredients
Allicin • Has antimicrobial activity to inhibit growth against gram- positive & gram-negative bacteria: • Bacteria: Helicobacter pylori • Interferes with the hepatic metabolism of cholesterol to reduce it. • Alliin reacts with enzyme allinase to form allicin • Allicin inhibits an enzyme vital to cholesterol production • Lowers LDL lipoproteins & raises HDL lipoproteins • Works as anticoagulant by inhibiting platelet aggregation • Protect endothelial tissue from oxidized low-density lipoprotein injury
Allicin cont. • Reduces serum triglycerides by about 13% • Reduces blood pressure by preventing atherosclerosis • Improves peripheral arterial disease • Can modestly reduce blood glucose by increasing body’s insulin and increasing glycogen storage in the liver
Ajoene • Has weak antifungal activity against Candida albicans • Reduces platelet stickiness • Interferes with with hepatic metabolism of cholesterol to reduce serum cholesterol • Antiviral activity against HIV
Diallyl Sulfide • Has antitumor activity • May raise levels of glutathione S-transferase, which detoxifies carcinogens • Has antiviral properties and inhibits herpes simplex, HIV, & cytomegalovirus
Other Actions of Garlic • Antioxidant activity • Mediates nitric oxide synthase activation, which helps restore endothelial function. • Improves the elasticity of blood vessels & reduces atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) & blood pressure • Inhibits inflammatory prostaglandins
Nutritional Ingredients • Common food & spice used in Chinese, French, Thai, Cajun, Italian, and many others. • Minor source of selenium, chromium, potassium, germanium, calcium, iron, & vitamin A, B, & C
Dosage & Administration • Preparations: Fresh or dried cloves, capsules, “odorless” tablets, aged garlic extracts • Capsules: 500-600mg capsules a day -Use product that delivers 5,000g of allicin daily • Food: one of fresh garlic per day • Whole fresh garlic is more active than any of its single constituents
Dosage & Administration • Mince a clove of garlic, let stand for 10-15 min., & mix with yogurt, applesauce, or honey. • Lipid lowering effect: 600-900mg, 4g fresh garlic, or 10mg garlic oil gel caps, 2-3 per day
Toxicity, Contraindications, & Side Effects • No toxicity in average doses • Some concerns about consumption of garlic before surgery • Studies show a brief inhibition of platelet aggregation – patients don’t need to worry about reduced clotting • Person allergic to garlic or allium should avoid using garlic
Side Effects cont. • Heartburn • Nausea • Flatulence, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, distress • GI disturbance • Allergic reactions • Body and Breath odor • Headache, insomnia, fatigue, & vertigo • Topical Garlic may cause skin irritation • Stimulates asthma, shortness of breath • Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
Herb-Drug Interactions • Decreases metabolism of acetaminophen & other drugs metabolized by the enzyme CYP 2E1 • Garlic along with anticoagulants, NSAIDs, & prostacyclin may increase bleeding time • Blood glucose level may further decreased with usage of antidiabetic drugs
Herb-Herb Interactions • Garlic along with feverfew and ginkgo, anticoagulant drugs, may increase bleeding time • Garlic along with glucomannan, an antihyperglycemic drug, may further decrease blood glucose levels