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Plant Family: 

Allium sativum belongs to is the Liliaceae plant family, this would tell us that garlic is a herbaceous and bulbous plant.  Most of the plants that fall into this family are perennial’s and are often found in tropical/subtropical areas.

 

Habitat & Cultivation: 

Allium sativum is often found in the tropical/subtropical regions and is native to Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tadzhikistan and Uzbekistan) and northeastern Iran. The biggest source for Allium sativum in the U.S. comes from California, most local farmers markets and herb distributing stores grow and sell Allium sativum.

 

Garlic is among the most important and most popular herb used worldwide. Originating from the eastern continents, it plays a large role in the traditional foods as well as medicine. Garlic contains over 200 chemicals that work to medicinally to prevent cardiovascular diseases, regulating blood pressure, lowering blood sugar, lowering cholesterol levels, effective against bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections, enhancing the immune system and it is an antitumoral as well as an antioxidant (Ayaz & Alpsoy, 2007).  It has been used for centuries to fight infectious diseases by working as a broad spectrum antibacterial.

 

Parts Used/Collection: 

 Cloves

 

Herbal Actions: 

  • Antimicrobial

  • Antispasmodic

  • Diaphoretic

  • Carminative

  • Stimulant

  • Expectorant

  • Antiseptic

  • Mild hypotensive

  • Hypolipidemic

  • Anti-platelet activity

  • Anti-cholesteremic

 

Indications:

  • Hypertension

  • Lowering cholesterol levels

  • Increase antioxidant status

  • Reduce platelet aggregation

  • Digestive upset/Nausea

  • Vaginal infections (yeast, BV)

 

Contraindications:

  • Do not use within 10 days of surgery or with medications that inhibit blood coagulation

  • Acute stomach inflammation, acid reflex or irritation of mucosal surfaces

  • Avoid excessive use in early pregnancy to potential emmenagogue effects, and hypothyroidism as may cause reduced iodine uptake by the thyroid 

 

Plant Constituents: 

 

 

System Affinities:

  • Respiratory system

  • Digestive system

  • Integumentary system

  • Cardiovascular system

  •  

Energetics: 

If being used to treat illnesses or other acute conditions, such energetic patterns would aggravate coughing (drying) and fevers (heat). In conditions with sinus congestion, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, and "cold" fevers, garlic would be helpful.

 

Safety: 

Pregnancy category A. Large consumption in late pregnancy may cause nausea (Mills & Bone, 2005, p. 411).

Lactation C: Compatible. Garlic consumption will change the odor of milk, peaking at around 2 hours after ingestion. Babes notice the odor and tend to suckle longer and more volume (Mills & Bone, 2005, p. 411).

 

Personal Experience:

 

 

Research:

 

Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

 

Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2005). The essential guide to herbal safety. London, England: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone

 

Romm, A. (2010). Botanical medicine for women's health. St. Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

Garlic (Allium sativum) 

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