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Family Liliaceae
Bawang
Allium sativum
Hsiao Suan
GARLIC

Other names 
Ahos (Bis.) 
Bawang (Tag.)
Bauang (Tag.)
Garlic (Engl.)
Nectar of the Gods (Engl.)
Poor Man's Treacle (Engl.)
Hsiao Suan (Chin.)
Stinking Rose (Engl.) 

Botany
A low herb, 30 to 60 cm high. Bulbs are broadly ovoid, 2 to 4 cm in diameter, consisting of several, densely crowded, angular and truncated tubers. Leaves are linear and flat. Umbels are globose, many flowered. Sepas are oblong, greenish white, slightly tinged with purple.

Distribution

Ubiquitous in market places. Commercially grown in Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Norte, Mindoro, and Cotobato.

Characteristics and constituents
• Saponins; tannins; sulfurous compounds; prostaglandins; alkaloids; volatile oils; allicin (bulb).
• The antihelminthic property is due to allyl disulphie content.
Antibacterial, antihelminthic, antimycotic, antiviral, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant, fibrinolytic, hypotensive, promiting leucocytosis, lowering lipids and inhibiting platelet aggregation
• The most important chemical constituents are the cysteine sulfoxides (alliin) and the nonvolatile glutamylcysteine peptides which make up more than 82% of the sulfur content of garlic. Allicin, ajoenes and sulfides are degradation products of alliin.
Some of garlic's effect is attributed to alicin, its active ingredient, which is converted to ajoene and allyl sulfides.
• Bulb: allicin; volatile oil, 0.9% - allyl disulfide, allypropyl disulfide; inulin; protein; fat, 1.3%; carbohydrates, 0.2%; ash, 9.4%; choline, 0.7%; myrosinase.
Leaves: Protein, i.2%; fat, 0.5%; sulfides.

Parts utilized
Bulbs: Features prominently as a condiment and flavor in Filipino cuisine.
Herbalists, with concerns that cooking diminishes medicinal potency, recommends eating raw garlic cloves.

Uses
Folkloric
Arthritis, rheumatism, toothaches: Crush several cloves and rub on affected areas.
Headaches: Crush one clove and apply to both temples as poultice.
Insect bites: Crush garlic or cut clove crosswise and rub directly to affected area.
Athlete's foot.
Decoction of leaves and bulbs for fever and as hypotensive, carminative, expectorant, and antihelmintic.
Juice from freshly crushed garlic used for colds, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, asthma and bronchitis.
Decoction use for tonsillitis.
For nasal congestion - a steam inhalation of chopped garlic and a teaspoon of vinegar in boiling water.
Fresh garlic has been used as a complement to INH therapy for tuberculosis.
Also used for menstrual cramps.
Digestive problems and gastrointestinal spasms.
For gas pains, drink an infusion of a peeled broild clove.

Studies
Antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic: (1) Topically, ajoene 0.4% cream, has been found 70% effective in certain dermatologic fungal infections. A 0.6% gel was effective in tinea corporis and tinea cruris.
Antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity
Hypertension: Studies suggest a beneficial antihypertensive effect but blood-lowering effects probably not dramatic. Other studies show a vascular benefit through improvement of aortic elasticity and possible slowing of the rate of atherosclerosis progression.
Hyperlipidemia / Antioxidant: (1) Controversial, but probably has beneficial effect on serum cholesterol and LDL levels. Some studies have shown a 4% to 12% lowering of total cholesterol. It seems to have no effect on high density lipoprotein (HDL). (2) Study of feeding of fresh garlic bulbs to induced-hypercholesterolemic rats showed decrease in total and LDL cholesterol and increase in HDL levels.(3) Study concluded that garlic extracts may have a beneficial effect on blood lipid profile and antioxidant status.
Anti-cancer / Chemoprotective: (1) Possible anticarcinogenic properties, specifically colon, stomach and prostate cancers. In stomach cancers, probably through its inhibitory effect on H. pylori. In epidemiologic studies on stomach and colorectal cancer prevention, the garlic use was 3.5 grams to 30 grams of fresh or cooked garlic per week. (2) Study showed garlic may have an adjuvant effect on various defense mechanisms against DMBA-induced carcinogenesis in sub-maxillary salivary glands of rat through increased availability or utilization of beta-carotene.
Hepatoprotective / Hematologic Effects: Study results on female Wistar rats suggest garlic and vitamin C have some hepatoprotective and hematologica effects.
Antidiabetic: Study results of ethanolic extracts of AS in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats suggest that A. sativum can be considered an excellent candidate for future studies on diabetes mellitus.
Sperm Immobilization Activity : Study of crude extract of A. sativum bulb showed spermicidal activity in vitro.
Hepatopulmonary Syndrome Treatment: A trial showed garlic may improve oxygenation and symptoms in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome.
Anti-Thrombotic Activity : Study of extracts of Allium sativum and Vernonia amygdalina showed both extracts offered protection against thrombosis produced by an intravenous injection of ADP and adrenalin, with A sativum showing the stronger activity.

Precautions
Anticoagulant Use: Reports have suggested that garlic may decrease platelet aggregation and have antifibrinolytic activity; therefore, should be used with caution in patients on anticoagulant therapy.
Induction of Cytochrome P450-34A: Concern for patients on cyclosporine and protease inhibitors. May increase the effects of hypoglycemic drugs.

Availability
Wildcrafted.
Perennial market produce.
Commercial: Tablets, extracts, capsules, powder and tea.
 



Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Herbal Therapeutics: R.W. Watkins, MD, Emergency Medicine, April 2002
(2)
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) / MayoClinic.com
(3)
Hepatoprotective and some haematological effects of Allium sativum and vitamin C in lead-exposed Wistar rats / International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences Vol. 1 (3), pp.064-067, March 2009
(4)
Antidiabetic effect of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats / Phytomedicine. 2006 Nov;13(9-10):624-9.
(5)
Antiglycation properties of aged garlic extract: possible role in prevention of diabetic complications. / Ahmad MS, Ahmed N / J Nutr. 2006 Mar;136(3 Suppl):796S-799S
(6)
The Effect of Fresh Crushed Garlic Bulbs (Allium sativum) on Plasma Lipids in Hypercholesterolemic Rats / Research Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 3: 15-19, 2008
(7)
Hypocholesteremic and Antioxidant Effects of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Extract in Rats Fed High Cholesterol Diet / Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 8 (2): 161-166, 2009 / ISSN 1680-5194
(8)
Sperm immobilization activity of Allium sativum L. and other plant extracts / Asian J Androl 2003 Jun; 5: 131-135
(9)
Treatment of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome With Allium Sativum L. (Garlic): A Pilot Trial / Abrams Gary MD and Michael Fallon MD /
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology: October 1998 - Volume 27 - Issue 3 - pp 232-235 Clinical Research
(10)
THE EFFECT OF GARLIC OIL (Allium Sativum) ON DMBA INDUCEDSALIVARY GLAND TUMORIGENESIS IN RAT / M M Ziu et al / Journal of Islamic Academy of Sciences 7:3, 189-192, 1994
(11)
Effects of Allium sativum and Vernonia amygdalina on thrombosis in mice / S O Awe et al / Phytotherapy Research • Volume 12 Issue 1, Pages 57 - 58 • Published Online: 18 Dec 1998 / DOI 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(19980201)12:1<57::AID-PTR176>3.0.CO;2-M


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