Garlic (Allium sativum Alliaceae)

Other Names: White Onion

Garlic is a low-growing herbaceous perennial with a stem surrounded by green lanceolate leaves. During flowering, it produces an umbrella-shaped inflorescence. The garlic bulb, consisting of 10 to 15 cloves wrapped in a whitish paper shell, serves as an underground food store.

Parts for Use

Bulb

1. Garlic is harvested in summer or autumn.
2. A portion of the stem is left attached to tie bulbs into bundles.
3. Dried bulbs are stored in a dry place and used in diets or for pharmaceutical purposes in powders, extracts, and tinctures.

Ingredients

The primary active ingredient is allicin, a sulfur compound released when fresh garlic is crushed, forming other sulfides upon oxidation. Garlic also contains phenols with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and flavonoids with potential anti-cancer effects.

Use in Treatment

Garlic has been used since biblical times to combat worms, parasites, and respiratory and digestive issues. During World War I, it served as a vital antiseptic. A 1999 Japanese study confirmed its antibacterial effects against E. coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and salmonella. Garlic acts as an antiseptic for the digestive and respiratory systems, stimulates the immune system, and its sulfur compounds cause its strong odor, which can be mitigated by chewing parsley. By reducing fat deposits in blood vessels, garlic helps prevent artery hardening, harmonizes blood flow, reduces clot formation, and may prevent heart attacks and angina pectoris while lowering blood pressure.

Cultivation

Plant garlic cloves in rich, well-drained soil in a sunny spot during fall or spring. Each clove forms a bulb by mid to late summer or early fall.

Preparation and Dosage

For Internal Use (Worms in the Gut)

1. Dry Extract: Take 100 to 250 mg daily.

For Internal Use (Digestive and Respiratory Infections, Circulatory Problem Prevention)

1. Tincture: Take 40 to 50 drops three times daily.
2. Capsules/Tablets (300 mg, including odorless options): Take one to three daily.

Warnings

1. Garlic is generally safe and can be consumed by pregnant and breastfeeding women.
2. Sensitive individuals may experience heartburn.
3. Those taking anticoagulants should consult a professional before use.
4. Inform surgeons of garlic preparation use before any surgery.