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Garlic (ail, ajo, Allium sativum, camphor of the poor, da-suan, knoblauch, la-suan, nectar of the Gods, poor man's treacle, rust treacle, stinking rose)

 

Classes: Antimicrobials, Herbals; Cardiovascular, Herbals

Suggested dosing of ail, ajo (garlic)

 

Oral

Standardized extract

  • 200-400 mg PO TID

Aged extract

  • 600-7200 mg/d PO

Fresh

  • 4 g (approx 1 clove) PO qD

 

Topical (Liquefied raw Garlic or Extract)

Apply to affected area TId

 

Suggested uses of ail, ajo (garlic)

CAD (prevention), cancer (prevention), circulation (enhancement), Helicobacter pylori infection, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, immunostimulant, menstrual disorders, tick repellant, tinea infections

 

Efficacy

Some conflicting data on serum lipid reduction; overall shown to be "modestly" effective in decreasing serum cholesteroL

Demonstrated to lower systolic & diastolic Bp

 

ail, ajo (garlic) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Anaphylaxis

Angioedema

Asthma

Bleeding

Conjunctivitis

Contact dermatitis (topical use)

Diarrhea

Eczema (topical use)

Flatulence

GI irritation/burning

GI upset

Heartburn

Nausea/vomiting

Rhinitis

Urticaria

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Bleeding disorders, surgery within 1-2 weeks

 

Cautions

Concurrent CYP 3A4 substrates, diabetes mellitus, GI infection, inflammatory bowel disease

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of ail, ajo (garlic)

Decrease in cholesterol: 8-16 weeks

Hypotensive effects: 1-6 month

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

 

Mechanism of action

Active constituent: allicin

Inhib. cholesterol biosynthesis

Inhib. platelet aggregation, thromboxane synthesis, lysosomal enzyme release; decr vascular musc. tone

Possible interference w/microbial structure, function