Garlic

Allium sativum 

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Liliaceae, or lily family ^[1]
2. 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, and most local farmers markets and herb-distributing stores offer it. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Bulb ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Antimicrobial
• Antispasmodic
• Diaphoretic
• Carminative
• Stimulant
• Expectorant
• Antiseptic
• Mild hypotensive
• Hypolipidemic
• Anti-platelet activity
• Anti-cholesteremic ^[1]
5. Indications:
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Colds/cough
• Asthma
• Heart disease
• Arteriosclerosis
• Palpitations
• Skin disease
• Parasitic infections
• Rheumatism
• Hemorrhoids
• Edema
• Impotence
• Digestive upset/Nausea
• Vaginal infections ^[2]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Organosulfur compounds (alliin, converted to allicin in the presence of enzyme allinase), miscellaneous enzymes, B vitamins, minerals, flavonoids. ^[2]
7. System Affinities:
• Respiratory, digestive, integumentary, cardiovascular, nervous, reproductive ^[3]  
8. Energetics:
• All but sour, mainly pungent/heating. ^[3]
9. Safety:
• Safe in pregnancy. Large amounts may cause nausea. ^[1]
10. Interactions:
• None known. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• Garlic has such a strong and specific smell/flavor, that it is hard to explain. It’s spicy, sour, earthy, and pungent.
2. Preparation Method:
• Eat 1 clove daily for prophylaxis. During acute infections, 1 clove 3x/day.
• Capsules: 1/day for prophylaxis, or 3/day for infection (600-900 mg/day)
• Suppository: 1 unpeeled clove of garlic vaginally at night ^[2]
3. Usage Notes:
• Consuming a clove of garlic, raw, truly allows for the heating effects to be felt. It has a similar effect to wasabi in that it goes up into my sinuses and exhibits a dry, clearing effect. I have used garlic suppositories in the past and never found they worked for me. I used a needle to thread some plain floss through the clove to make for easy extraction, and found that puncturing the skin exerts a burning effect on my tissues. However, this can be a sign of its antimicrobial properties. I did find that I had some increased cramping with it as well.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 7 Study Questions. Bastyr University: SP-18_MW5123-A Botanicals 3: Pregnancy.
2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.