Role of Garlic in Controlling Cardiovascular Diseases and Other Uses

Biological Source of Garlic:

Botanical Name : Allium sativum

Family : Liliaceae

Synonyms of Garlic:

• Hindi – Lahsun
• English – Garlic
• Sanskrit – Rasana
• Telugu – Velluli
• Tamil – Vallaipunelu
• Bengali – Rasuna
• Gujarati – Lasana

English: A basket of garlic (allium sativum) offered for sale at the farmers’ market in Rochester, Minnesota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The trade name of garlic is Lahasuna Garlic is a well known bulbous, herbaceous plant and grows to a height of 2-3 ft. The bulb consists of 8-10 bulblets (cloves). It has a hollow and erect stem. These plants are cultivated throughout the India. Bulbs are the useful parts of the plant.

Properties of Garlic:

• Antibiotic
• Hypotensive agent (lowers blood pressure)
• Lowers cholesterol
• Immuostimulant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Hypoglycemic agent
• Anthelmintic (eradicates worms from the intestine)
• Analgesic
• Anti-rheumatic
• Removes corns
• Carminative
• Intestinal disinfectant (antiseptic)
• Anti-malarial
• Rubefacient (causes reddening of the skin)
• Anti-oxidant

Phytochemicals of Garlic:

The phytochemicals which are present in garlic are alliin, allicin, inulin and essential oil. It also contains Vitamins – A, B and C Minerals – Selenium

Medicinal Uses of Garlic:

Garlic in Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Problems:

• For the cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure, take 10 cloves of fresh garlic or 500 mg garlic capsule, twice a day.
• Eating garlic everyday along with salt and pepper keeps one healthy and controls the blood pressure.
• A spoonful of garlic paste and two spoonfuls of honey if taken early in the morning on a roasted slice tones up the heart and maintains normal blood pressure.
• Decreases the incidence of thrombus formation.
• Activates the systemic circulation.

Other Uses of Garlic:

• It is known as the “poor man’s” remedy.
• Used for treating bronchitis and asthmatic problems.
• It is a antiseptic for intestinal ailments.
• Garlic juice reduces the obstinate cough and acts as a expectorant in tubercular infection of the lungs.
• It can be applied to indolent tumours.
• Garlic when taken along with common salt, improves the nervous system and relieves headache, flatulence and hysteria etc.
• It is also found to be effective in curing sore throat, gout, paralysis, sciatica and many skin diseases.
• When there is no availability of antibiotics, garlic juice can be applied to open wounds to prevent bacterial infection and pus formation.
• They are also used as the source of strength.
• If a decaying tooth is packed with the pulp of garlic, pain will be decreased.
• Used as aphrodisiac (stimulates sexual impulse).
• It has anti-cancerous nature.
• A little rub behind the ear will alleviate the pain of trigeminal neuralgia.
• If a little pulp is kept into the ear, it will ease rheumatic otalgia (pain in the ear).
• For any infections, add freshly chopped raw cloves to food thrice daily or garlic capsules can be taken.

Forms of use:

It can be used in the raw form or in the form of tincture, poultice and juice.