Garlic

A spice and medicinal plant from the allium family (Alliaceae). The garlic bulb is a roundish to egg-shaped white bulb with a diameter of around 3.0 cm and a pungent odor. Several secondary bulbs are usually attached to the main bulb. Allium sativum is the parent plant of Allii sativi bulbi pulvis, a drug that has been positively monographed by Commission E and the WHO.

The quality of garlic powder is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: to prevent arteriosclerosis, also to relieve the symptoms of a cold.

ESCOPmonograph: to prevent atherosclerosis, in the case of elevated blood lipid levels which cannot be adequately controlled by dietary measures, supportive in the case of elevated blood pressure; also for infections and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.

Commission E-Monography: support for dietary measures in the case of elevated blood lipid levels and for the prevention of age-related vascular changes

Empirical medicine: adjuvant to lower blood pressure, for arteriosclerosis, digestive complaints, colds, coughs, bronchitis, tonic for weakness, improves vigilance, anthelmintic for pinworms

Used worldwide as a kitchen spice.

Ingredients of the fresh garlic bulb: sulphur-containing gamma-glutamyl peptides, odorless, water-soluble S-allylcysteine sulphoxide/alliin

Furthermore, several enzymes such as oxidases, catalases, dehydrogenases, lyases and various vitamins. vitamins. The non-proteinogenic amino acid S-allylcysteine sulphoxide enzymatically produces the unstable allicin (diallyl thiosulphinate), the main active ingredient in garlic and ajoene.

The different preparations have different compositions:

Garlic oil, s. Oleum Allii sativi; garlic powder, s. Allii sativi bulbi pulvis.

Garlic originally comes from East Asia. It was cultivated very early on in Asia Minor and the Middle East. Today it is used and cultivated worldwide.

Antibacterial, antifungal, lipid-lowering, inhibition of platelet aggregation.

Garlic is a food and dietary supplement rich in sulfur-containing organic compounds with specific pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant (Zhang et al. (2006) anti-inflammatory (Wang L et al. 2017), antitumor, immunoregulatory and antifungal (Caporaso et al. 1983). Properties (Zhang L et al. 2023).

One of the oldest medicinal and aromatic plants on earth. In India, China, Africa and the Balkans, its healing powers have been well known for centuries and are the reason for its high consumption. Folk medicine in our latitudes has also used garlic since time immemorial for its antibacterial, fungicidal (the biologically active ingredient in garlic "ajoene" has proven fungicidal properties), antiseptic, spasmolytic, carminative, anthelmintic and other effects in various remedies for the treatment of gastrointestinal complaints, various skin diseases, inflammations, rheumatism, ulcers, cramps, pain, etc.

Average daily dose: 4 g fresh garlic cloves

EMA:

For the prevention of arteriosclerosis, single dose in powder form: 300 to 750 mg, daily dose: 900-1380 mg divided into 3-5 single doses; single dose in liquid form: 110-220 mg, 4x / day, daily dose: 440-880 mg,

For colds, single dose: 100-200 mg, 1-2x / day, daily dose: 100-400 mg

Gastrointestinal complaints or allergic reactions. Change in bleeding time, no combination with warfarin sodium.

Patients on saquinavir/ritonavir therapy: Risk of decrease in plasma concentration with loss of virological response and possible resistance to one or more components of the antiretroviral preparation.

As a drug: Children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

In the absence of sufficient data, use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.

Oral anticoagulation therapy and/or antiplatelet agents: bleeding times may be prolonged.

Patients on saquinavir/ritonavir therapy: risk of decrease in plasma concentration with loss of virological response and possible resistance to one or more components of the antiretroviral preparation.

• Beni-cur N® coated film-coated tablet
• Kwai forte® 300 mg coated tablets (300mg garlic bulb powder). Dosage depending on tolerance up to 3x1 Drg./day
• Kwai N Dragees® (100mg garlic bulb powder). Dosage depending on tolerance up to 3x3 dragees/day
• Sapec® coated tablets (300mg garlic powder). Dosage: 3x1 daily 1 Drg.

In a non-controlled study with 34 tinea pedis patients, healing was achieved in around 80 % of cases with a 0.4 % ajoene cream after a treatment period of 7 days (Ledezema E et al. 1996).

Allergological information: known allergens: diallyl disulphide, allicin and allyl propyl disulphide; sensitizing potency: medium; frequency of sensitization: rare; clinical manifestation: garlic and garlic powder may cause allergic asthma in addition to allergic or irritant dermatitis.

Risk groups are cooks, housewives, kitchen staff (occupational). In the case of eczema, hand eczema, a possible sensitization by garlic or kitchen onions should therefore always be considered(onion fingers).

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