Garlic
Botanical Information
Derived from the bulb or clove of a plant in the lily family, garlic has been used as both food and medicine for thousands of years. There are several types of garlic preparations. Most clinical studies have been performed using aged garlic extract (made by fermenting garlic) or enteric-coated, dried garlic tablets.
Features & Benefits
- Promotes overall heart health including heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Possesses antibiotic and antifungal properties and is often used for the common cold and control fungal infections (including Athlete’s Foot, swimmer’s ear and vaginal yeast infections)
- Helps strengthen the immune system
Suggestions & Precautions
- To get the most benefit, individuals should use standardized garlic products when possible
- Side effects may include stomach upset, bloating, body odor, bad breath and nausea
- Garlic has blood-thinning properties and should not be used by those individuals on blood thinning medications or undergoing surgery
- Garlic supplements should be avoided by those taking protease inhibitors, including indinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir
- Garlic may exaggerate the activity of medications that inhibit the action of platelets in the body, including Plavix and aspirin
