Garlic ( Allium sativum)
Local name: Yoruba & Igbo- ayo, Hausa- tafarnuwa
Garlic is a commonly used herb that has miraculous healing
properties and is widely used in a number of ailments. The parts used are bulb,
fresh cloves and juice. Some of the
medicinal properties of garlic are antiseptic,
antibiotic, antiviral, anti-allergy, aphrodisiac, anti-amoebic, anti-coagulant,
detoxifier, carminative, diaphoretic, and stimulant; may protectthe heart and
nervous system, enhance the body’s immune system, decrease the side effects of
drug therapies for cancer.
The therapeutically active ingredient in garlic is
the allicin. The bulb of Allium sativum with a pungent odour when crushed,
widely used to flavour foods. There is some evidence
that garlic has a beneficial effect in lowering
blood cholesterol.
The most active components of
fresh garlic are an amino acid called allin and an enzyme called allinase. When
a clove of garlic is chewed, chopped, bruised, or cut, these compounds mix to
form allicin, which is responsible for garlic’s strong smell. Allicin, in turn,
breaks down into other sulfur compounds within a few hours. These compounds
have a variety of overlapping healing properties.
For maintaining heart health, this herb is usually taken by mouth (i.e.,
swallowed). Garlic (example: fresh garlic) may also be applied on top of the
skin for the treatment of skin
infections.
What drug(s) may interact with
garlic?
• Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or
naproxen
• aspirin, ASA
• clopidogrel
• cilostazol
• dalteparin, enoxaparin, heparin or other injectable blood
thinners
• dipyridamole
• saquinavir
• ticlopidine
• warfarin
Side effects that you should
report to your prescriber or health
care professional as soon as possible for oral garlic:
Rare or uncommon:
• bleeding
• rash
• itching
• swelling of tongue, lips or throat
Who’s getting Garlic today for that Sunday stew, Jellof rice and fried rice.
Stay blessed
#YourFavouritePhytomedicine
#Anipalmtex2
This is curled from Health Corner With Amarachi Loveth Ani
