HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Indian Medicine: Garden Cress is used for vitamin C
deficiency, liver disease, asthma, hemorrhoids and as an
abortifacient.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
/• No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages. The mustard oil contained in Garden Cress can
cause skin blisters and necrosis in higher concentrations. It is
sometimes misused as an abortifacient because the internal
administration of mustard oil causes severe anemia of the
internal organs.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Garden Cress is administered as a
freshly cut herb in oral preparations.
LITERATURE
Hansel R. Keller K, Rimpler H. Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis. 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin. Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Iori R, Rollin P, Streicher H. Thtem J, Palmieri S, The
myrosinase-glucosinolate interaction mechanism studied using
some synthetic competitive inhibitors. FEBS Lett, 385:87-90,

1996 Apr 29.

Rao KV. Beach JW, Streptonignn and related compounds. 5.
Synthesis and evaluation of some isoquinoline analogues. J Med
Chem, 19:1871-9, 1991 Jun.
Ugazio G et al., co-toxicological study conducted with a battery
of biological and phytological tests on sediments carried out on
a series of 24 tributaries of the Po in 1994 and 1995. G Ital
Med Lav Ergon, 19:10-6, 1997 Jan-Mar.

Garlic

Allium sativum

TRADE NAMES

Garlic (available from numerous manufacturers), Garlicin,

Garlique, Garlic Oil, Garlic Power, Triple Garlic, High

Potency Garlic Oil, Garlic Odorless, Chinese Tian Shan

Garlic, Deodorized Garlic, Kyolic Reserve Aged Garlic

Extract, Odor Free Concentrated Garlic, Aged Garlic Ex-

tract, Kyolic Hi-Po Formula, High Alicin Garlic, Standard-

ized Garlic, Natural Garlic Oil

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the whole fresh

bulb, the dried bulb and the oil of garlic.

Flower and Fruit: The plant consists of a cluster of long

flowers where the floral axis terminates in a single flower

and contains few florets (small flowers or buds). There are

numerous 1 cm deciduous bulbs capable of producing new

GARLIC /327

plants, which shed simultaneously. The flowers usually

remain in bud form and often do not produce any seed. The

petals are reddish or greenish-white and longer than the

stamens. The anthers of the middle stamens are spread at the

base and have fan-shaped tips.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Allium sativum is a perennial plant

that grows 25 to 70 cm high. The plant contains an erect,

rigid or curved stem, which is leafy in the middle. The leaves

are flat, 4 to 25 mm, straight and broad, with a wedge-shaped

tip; they can be rough or smooth-edged. The sheath, or lower

part of the leaf surrounding the stem, is pointed and longer

than the flower cluster. The garlic bulb is usually a

compound bulb, and the secondary bulbs are oval in shape.

The bulb skin color is either silky white or green.

Habitat: Central to southern Asia is considered the region of

origin; garlic has been introduced to the Mediterranean with

cultivation worldwide.

Production: Garlic bulbs, either fresh or carefully dried,

consist of the main bulb with several secondary bulbs

(cloves). Garlic may be harvested in September and October

when the leaves and bulbs are dry.

Other Names: Poor Man's Treacle, Clove Garlic, Common

Garlic, Allium, Stinking Rose

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Alliins (alkylcysteine sulfoxides): in particular allylalliin,

propenyl alliin and methylalliin (including their gamma-

glutamyl conjugates. Once cut, the alliin in the freshly

harvested bulbs is converted to allicin (diallyl-disulphide-

mono-S-oxide). Bulbs that have been dried and then re-

moistened, ferment into alliaceous oils. These oils are

oligosulfides, ajoens (dialkyl-trithlaalkane-monoxides) and

vinyl dithiins.

Fructosans (polysaccharides)

Saponins

EFFECTS

The alliin in the drug is antimicrobial, lipid-reducing, anti-

oxidative and fibrinolytic. The antibacterial, antimycotic and

lipid-reducing effects have been well-documented. Inhibition

of thrombocyte aggregation, increased bleeding time and

clotting time, and enhancement of fibrinolytic activity have

been demonstrated in clinical trials.

A study of the lipid-lowering effect with isolated hepatocytes

suggest that garlic extracts are responsible for early inhibi-

tion of sterol synthesis due to their sulfur-containing

compounds. Alliin, the main sulfur-containing compound of

garlic, when coverted to allicin, exerts inhibitory effects on