Garlic (Allium sativum): Nature’s Antibiotic for Heart, Immunity & Digestion

Botanical Name: Allium sativum
Common Names: Garlic, Lahsun and Lasan
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Parts Used: Bulb (Clove)
Available Forms: Fresh garlic, dried garlic powder, garlic oil, capsules, aged garlic extract

🌱Introduction

Garlic (Allium sativum) is more than a flavorful kitchen staple — it’s a powerful herbal medicine used for centuries in Ayurveda, Unani, Chinese, and Western medicine. Known for its pungent aroma and therapeutic power, garlic acts as a natural antibiotic, heart protector, immune booster, and digestive tonic.

Garlic is rich in organosulfur compounds, especially allicin, which gives it both its medicinal properties and characteristic smell.

✅Top Health Benefits of Garlic

1. ❤️Lowers Blood Pressure & Protects the Heart

·       Garlic helps relax blood vessels and reduce hypertension.

·       Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) while improving good cholesterol (HDL).

🔬Study: A meta-analysis in the Journal of Nutrition (2016) found that garlic supplements significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

2. 🛡️ Boosts Immunity & Fights Infections

·       Acts as a natural antimicrobial against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

·       Stimulates white blood cells and enhances immune response.

3. 🧬 Strong Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory

·       Rich in allicin, selenium, flavonoids, and vitamin C.

·       Helps reduce oxidative stress and supports liver detox.

4. ⚖️Supports Weight Loss & Metabolism

·       Garlic improves fat metabolism, reduces appetite, and burns calories.

·       Supports healthy gut bacteria, aiding digestion and metabolism.

5. 🧠 Enhances Brain Function

·       Garlic improves blood circulation to the brain.

·       May help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

🧪 Key Compounds in Garlic

·       Allicin – Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral

·       Ajoene – Blood thinning and anticlotting

·       S-allyl cysteine – Antioxidant and liver-protective

·       Flavonoids & Selenium – Anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting

📚Traditional Uses of Garlic

📌Ayurveda:

·       Known as Lashunam

·       Used for cardiovascular health, vata disorders, digestion, and skin diseases

·       Classified as a rejuvenative herb

📌Unani Medicine:

·       Used as Cardiotonic, Deobstruent and anti-inflammatory

·       Prescribed for arthritis, heart disease, piles, asthma, and chronic cough

📜Scientific References

1.     Ried, K. et al. (2016). Effect of garlic on blood pressure. Journal of Nutrition, 146(2), 389S–396S.

2.     Ankri, S. & Mirelman, D. (1999). Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic. Microbes and Infection, 1(2), 125–129.

3.     Rahman, K. (2007). Effects of garlic on cardiovascular disorders. Nutrition Journal, 6(1), 1–9.

4.     PubMed Database:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

🧴 How to Use Garlic (Dosage & Forms)

⚠️ Precautions & Side Effects

• May cause bad breath, body odor, or gastric irritation in some people.
• Use cautiously in bleeding disorders or if taking blood thinners.
• Not recommended in excess during pregnancy.
• Always consult a healthcare professional if taking medications.

📝 Conclusion

Allium sativum, or Garlic, is truly a gift from nature — a time-tested herb with powerful effects on heart health, immunity, infections, digestion, and detoxification. Its dual role as food and medicine makes garlic an essential part of any herbal wellness routine.

Whether raw, powdered, or as a supplement — daily garlic intake can be one of the simplest steps toward a healthier life.