Garlic
Garlic, a perennial plant, is a member of the amaryllis family, along with the onion, leek, and shallot. With a legendary history as a food and medicine, garlic is grown throughout the world. Herbal preparations of garlic are derived from the whole fresh bulb of the plant, the dried bulb, or extracted oil.
Herbal garlic preparations can be used to help treat:
- age-related impairment of blood flow
- abnormal thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
- upper-respiratory infections
Dose
Garlic is available in a variety of product types.
- The recommended daily dose of garlic is 1,200 or 2,400 milligrams of garlic powder or the equivalent of 4 grams of fresh garlic.
- Use of garlic can be ongoing.
Cautions
Situations in which use of garlic is not advised:
- Do not use garlic if you have inflammation of the stomach (gastroenteritis).
- Do not take large amounts of garlic during pregnancy; in large amounts, garlic may stimulate uterine contractions and secretions (Farnsworth et al 1975).
- Do not use garlic while nursing.
Side Effects
At the recommended doses, there are no known adverse effects of garlic use. Rarely, and only after frequent contact with the plant, an inflammatory condition of the skin (eczema) or other allergic reactions may develop.
Drug Interactions
There are no known interactions of garlic with any drugs.
