Natural Health Products

Garlic

Common Name(s): Garlic
Scientific Name(s): Allium sativum
Garlic
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General Information

Garlic has been used both as a medicine and as a seasoning for thousands of years.

How is this product usually used?

Garlic is traditionally used in herbal medicine to provide relief for symptoms related to respiratory infections, manage high cholesterol, and prevent heart disease.

It may also be used to manage blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure, improve gum health, improve liver function in those with fatty liver disease, and relieve pain caused by endometriosis.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What is this product used for?

Garlic is traditionally used in herbal medicine to provide relief for symptoms related to respiratory infections, manage high cholesterol, and prevent heart disease.

It may also be used to manage blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure, improve gum health, improve liver function in those with fatty liver disease, and relieve pain caused by endometriosis.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

There is some evidence that shows garlic may be helpful for the above uses. It is unclear whether garlic is effective for other purposes.

Garlic appears to be safe for most adults. Most common side effects include breath and body odor, heartburn, nausea, upset stomach, and allergic reactions. These side effects are more common with raw garlic.

Garlic may interact with the following:

  • anticoagulants (e.g., apixaban, warfarin)
  • antiplatelets (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), clopidogrel)
  • atazanavir
  • blood pressure lowering medications (e.g., amlodipine, ramipril)
  • HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, darunavir)
  • isoniazid
  • sofosbuvir
  • tacrolimus

Ask your doctor before taking garlic if you:

  • are pregnant
  • have a bleeding disorder
  • have diabetes

Garlic can increase your risk of bleeding. Stop taking garlic at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

  1. Health Canada. Drugs and Health Products. Monograph – Garlic.https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=garlic_ail&lang=eng.
  2. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Garlic.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2020. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.