14101
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Common Name
Garlic
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Botanical Name
Allium sativum
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Part Used
Bulb
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Clinical Summary
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Alcohol
25%
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Dose
40 to 80mL weekly
Traditionally used to support the immune system, the heart and intestinal health. It is an effective remedy against bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections. It helps prevent and reduce the severity of respiratory infections like the common cold, influenza, sore throat, bronchitis, hay fever, gut infections, worms and candidiasis. It appears to improve blood pressure, and a tendency to clotting, helping to prevent heart attack and strokes. It can also reduce total and LDL (the bad) cholesterol as well as improving digestion and lowering blood sugar in diabetics.
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Traditional Use
Garlic may be a simple kitchen herb but it is a veritable panacea that has more than 7,000 years of documented medicinal use. It is one of the most well-researched, albeit stinky, medicinal herbs.
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Actions
Antimicrobial, immune modulating, stimulating diaphoretic, stimulating expectorant, alterative, carminative, vermifuge, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycaemic, circulatory stimulant, antihypertensive, chemopreventive, hepatoprotective
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Indications
• Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis, optimising cholesterol levels, hyperlipidaemia, arterial vascular disease
• Fungal and bacterial infections such as vaginitis and athlete’s foot, parasites
• Respiratory tract infections, catarrhal conditions, colds, influenza, bronchial congestion, asthma
• To optimise digestion, small intestinal bacteria overgrowth, dysentery, stomach ulcers
• Possible cancer prophylactic, particularly cancers of the gastrointestinal tract
• Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance -
Energetics
Warming, drying, pungent.
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Use in Pregnancy
Usual dietary intake is of no concern however higher doses are not recommended in the first trimester until safety can be confirmed.
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Contraindications & Cautions
Patients with bleeding abnormalities should avoid high doses of garlic. Although usual dietary intakes are likely to be safe prior to major surgery suspend the use of high dose garlic supplements one week before as there is a theoretical increased risk of bleeding. Avoid if there is a known allergy to sulphurous vegetables. If being used as part of a topical application a test patch is advised before more widespread application.
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Drug Interactions
Use caution with anticoagulants (such as warfarin) at doses greater than 7g/day. Avoid using concurrently with antiretroviral therapy (anti-HIV drugs). Observe with antiplatelet drugs and antihypertensive and antihyperlipidaemic agents. Use with caution under medical supervision with hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic (water pill) used for hypertension.
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Dietary Information
Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free
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Substitutes
Hawthorn, Thyme