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Allium Sativum L. (Garlic)

Constituents:

Volatile oil - containing Allin;

*Hormone –Type subsyances;

• Glucokinin;
• Mucilage;
• Germanium.

The anti-pathogenic effects of garlic against infections have for long been known by traditional healers, Garlic is used as general and anti-septic by local healers in many parts of the least developing world (Poorer Penicillin). The odorous component is the main ant microbial agent, garlic is thus a specific for bronchial and lung infection, and also for gut infections such as Dysentery, Typhoid and cholera, and in many cases of food poisoning.

Garlic (Allium) has also so many effects on blood circulation attested by modern experimental and clinical research. It lowers the level of the blood cholesterol with obvious implications for those suffering from arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure.
Garlic is also used as digestive stimulant and excellent expectorant, the local healers also predict that garlic is anti-tumor too, however this has to be dealt with cautiously and it is worth to be researched by students and other professionals.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Allium sativum

FAMILY NAME:  Liliaceae/Alliaceae 

COMMON NAME: Garlic 

Herbalists worldwide consider Garlic as one of the most important herbal medicines. It has been used both as food and medicine in many cultures for thousands of years. Organic Garlic has an acrid, warm taste, and a disagreeable, pungent odor. Its antiseptic properties for healing wounds to acting as an inhibitor of diseases, have been proven and research into garlic's value continues till date. It contains a collection of sulfur and selenium aroma compounds which protect the plant from predators as well as soil-born organisms. It is these chemicals, that provide garlic its health-giving benefits.

History

Garlic is one of the most popular spice in the world. Garlic has been cultivated for more than 5000 years. Garlic has a long history of use by the Ayurvedic physicans for wide range of ailments such as ringworm, candida,vaginitis, digestive,cardiac tonic where its fungicidal, antiseptic, parasiticidal and tonic properties have benefitted.

It is reported that in ancient Egypt, the workers who had to build the great pyramids were fed garlic daily, and the Bible mentions that the Hebrews enjoyed their food with garlic.

In the first world war, garlic was widely used as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene and today people use garlic to help prevent atherosclerosis and improve high blood pressure.
Chemicals : The main active ingredient in garlic is Alliin. Allicin is the active compound that gives garlic its characteristic odor and many of its healing benefits. Other sulphur compounds are thiosulfinates, gamma glutamylcysteine peptides and various Cu-peptides, 2 mercapto-L-cysteins, anthocyanins, glycosides of kaempferol and quercetin, polysaccharides, allinase, sterols, hydrocarbons, sativin I & II, scordinines A & B.

Actions

Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anthelmintic, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Hypotensive-vasodilator, Cholagogue, Antispasmodic, Decreases blood cholesterol, Increases HDL, Hypoglycemic, Expectorant, Diaphoretic, Antioxidant, Antineoplastic, Carminative.

Therapuetic Uses

Garlic may prevent blood clots and destroy plaque preventing atherosclerosis. Hence, garlic does reduce the chances of stroke, heart attacks, and PVD.

Garlic may also be beneficial for risk factors form heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes as it helps reduce the level of Homocysteine similar to cholestrol.

Raw garlic may lowerer blood pressure; but fairly small.

Garlic has been used as a traditional dietary supplement for diabetes in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Garlic has a traditional history for prevention and cure of common cold and influenza.

Studies have suggest that garlic may have some anti-cancer activity. Dietary garlic may offer some protection against the development of breast, prostate, and throat cancers , colon and stomach cancers.

Garlic inhibits the growth of different species of bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the organism responsible for tuberculosis.

Large quantities of fresh, raw garlic have antiparasitic properties against common type of intestinal parasite like the roundworm.

 There have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of this species.

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