Garlic is known as lasoon in India and has been held in high esteem for its medicinal uses for at least 6000 years. Khnoom Khoufouf, the builder of one of the ancient Egyptian pyramids (4500 BC), decreed that all his workers should take garlic every day to maintain their health and strength.
It is known to reduce the risk of subsequent heart-attacks in cardiac patients. It acts as a stimulant and antibiotic.
Garlic derives its strange odour from sulphur-containing compounds which account for most of its medicinal properties. The ‘deodorised’ versions of garlic such as ‘pearls’ cannot, therefore, be as effective as crude garlic.
The fresh juice of garlic is effective for skin infections. Internally, fungal infections, chest problems, digestive disorders and the risk of thromboses are all controlled by regular garlic intake. It dilates peripheral blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure.
Garlic: A Profile
Latin Name: Allium sativum
Indian Name: Lahsoon, poondu, veluthully
Family: Liliaceae
Appearance: Herb of the onion family, it has irregular roots, a condensed, flattened stem and narrow, flat leaves. The bulb consists of 6 to 35 bulblets called ‘cloves’, enclosed in a thick, whitish, transparent jacket.
Garlic: How to use it
| Ailment | Prescription |
| Acne, warts, boils, to draw out corns in the foot | Mashed cloves applied externally. |
| Prophylactic against infections, to reduce high cholesterol level, to improve the quality of cardio-vascular system and help lower blood sugar levels, blood purification | A regular intake of cloves. |
| Severe digestive disorders, gastroenteritis, worms and dysentery | 3 to 6 crushed cloves taken with honey once or twice a day. |
| Intestinal parasites | 3-4 garlic cloves soaked in water or milk over night, the liquor is drunk next day. |
| To reduce the chances of further heart-attacks in those who have already suffered one | 2 gm garlic powder every day. |
| Tuberculosis, pneumonia | 1 gm of garlic boiled with 250 ml of milk and 1 litre of water, till it is reduced to one-fourth its volume. This decoction is to be taken thrice a day. |
| Asthma | 3 cloves boiled in milk, drunk every night. |
| To lower blood Pressure | 2 to 3 capsules per day. |
| Whooping cough | Syrup of garlic (1 to 3 tsp) thrice a day. |
| Pimples, acne, ring-worm | Cloves crushed and rubbed several times a day on the affected area (this process is further helped by taking garlic in diet regularly) |
| Infected wounds | Garlic juice with distilled water (1-3) employed as a lotion. |
| Gas, high blood pressure | 2 to 4 gm garlic (approx. 10 to 20 cloves) boiled in a glass of milk. |
| Earache | Boil well 3 gm of garlic (10 – 15 cloves) in 60 ml of gingelly oil, cool and filter. Use as ear-drops (2 to 3 drops). |
| Phlegm | The filtrate as above used to rub on chest and throat. |
| Tropical eosinophilia, cold, phlegm, blood pressure | Two cloves crushed, boiled in a glass of water along with half a teaspoon turmeric powder. |
Garlic: Note of caution
- Garlic taken in excess heats up the body and can irritate the stomach in some patients. It may also cause a burning sensation during urination.
- Garlic’s strong smelling compounds are often eliminated through skin and lungs. Fresh parsley may be chewed to eliminate the odour in the breath.
- During pregnancy and lactation, excessive garlic intake might cause heart-burn. It may also affect the taste of mother’s milk.
- It is not necessary that garlic should be eaten raw. It can be boiled in water or milk and then taken.
- Garlic should never be eaten when the stomach is empty, as it may lead to irritation..
- People with hyper-acidity and high pitta should avoid garlic.
- It’s quality is tamasic.
- It can increase dullness of the mind.
- Although it increases semen, it works as an irritant on the reproductive organs.
- Garlic, although a good medicine, may not be a good common-usage herb for those practising yoga and meditation.