Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Updated 4 January 2024

Common origins

  • Central Asia (native), now grown throughout the world

Botanical classification

  • Kingdom: Plantae 
  • Division: Magnoliophyta 
  • Class: Liliopsida 
  • Order: Liliales
  • Family: Liliaceae 
  • Genus: Allium

Components

  • Sulphur derivatives: alliin, then alliicin, sulphides, ajoenes, vinyldithiins, then diallyl disulphide.
  • Flavonoids
  • Polysaccharides
  • Minerals and trace elements: germanium, selenium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, silica, iodine, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium.
  • Vitamins: A, B, C, E

Parts used

  • Fresh bulb

Organoleptic properties

  • Odour: faint before cutting, then characteristic, sulphurous, strong, penetrating 
  • Taste: characteristic, pungent, burning

Properties

  • Antiseptic, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antifungal 
  • Deworming, antiparasitic
  • Stimulant, general tonic
  • Depurative, promotes elimination (sulphur)
  • Antispasmodic
  • Diuretic
  • Protects the cardiovascular system
  • Vasodilator, hypotensive
  • Antiplatelet aggregation
  • Hypolipidaemic, antiatherogenic
  • Hypoglycaemic
  • Antioxidant
  • Anti-cancer (enhances detoxification of carcinogens, induces apoptosis, stimulates glutathione synthesis)

Indications

Internal use

Prevention of heart problems:

Pulmonary problems:

Fungal infections:

Other indications:

External use

Warning: hypertension and cholesterol problems are serious, garlic can be a complementary measure, but is not a first choice treatment, consult a doctor.

Precautions / Contraindications

  • In large doses, fresh or extracted garlic can cause heartburn and irritation of the urinary tract.
  • Locally on the skin, it is very rubefacient, even irritating.
  • Bad breath, in high dosage
  • Possible gastrointestinal effects​

Interactions

  • Possible interaction with warfarin (anticoagulant molecule)
  • Although we are not aware of any cases, garlic may increase the effect of warfarin and possibly lead to bleeding.
  • Possible interaction with certain diabetes medications (risk of developing hypoglycaemia).

How to use / Current dose

  • Fresh garlic in cooking
  • Mother tincture or liquid extract
  • In capsules of dried garlic powder, nebulised
  • As an essential oil: beware of its strong irritant properties
  • In an oily maceration of fresh garlic: for arterial circulation problems
  • As a decoction in milk (a traditional recipe still used today): 8 to 20 g of crushed garlic cloves in 1 litre of milk, boil for 1 minute; take 2 to 3 teaspoons a day, pure or diluted in thyme tea.
  • Garlic oil
  • Garlic syrup (for coughs)

Find out more

Bear's garlic (Allium ursinum), its wild cousin, which grows in spring in the undergrowth, has a similar composition in higher concentrations. Succulent in the kitchen, both fresh and dried, it can also be used to make a spirit (diluted 1:5) from the fresh leaves, which, because of its powerful action, should be taken in small doses (5 to 10 drops twice a day).


Additional information

Habitat and botanical description

This perennial herbaceous plant, 50 cm to 1 m high, is characterised by its bulb (or garlic head), which consists of several edible cloves (or bulblets or cloves). Its cylindrical, hollow stem is surrounded by long, linear, sheathed leaves. The inflorescence is an umbel of white or pink flowers enclosed in a spathe (membranous envelope) before flowering. The fruit is a capsule, rarely produced, while the flower spike more often gives rise to flower bulbils.

Harvest time

The bulb is generally harvested in the summer months. The leaves start to turn yellow. Before harvesting, it is advisable to tie up the stems to allow the sap to concentrate in the pods. After harvesting, the garlic is left to dry on the ground for at least 2 days. The stems can then be braided to preserve them. Depending on the variety, some are harvested fresh from late spring.

Mythology / History / Anecdotes and traditional virtues

​Its name is said to come from the Celtic word 'all', meaning 'hot', alluding to fire. Its Sanskrit name 'bhûtagna' means 'monster killer'. It is known in many cultures as a plant that protects against evil spells and spirits.
During the construction of the Egyptian pyramid of Khufu, a large sum of money was spent to supply the builders with garlic for its invigorating and antiseptic properties. A symbol of strength for the Egyptians, it was also used as a currency.
This plant has many therapeutic properties that have been known for centuries. During the reign of Julius Caesar it was nicknamed 'the poor man's theriac' and Hippocrates recommended it in times of cholera and plague, before being used in many other ways over the centuries. Today it is the subject of numerous studies.