The delicious bulbs of this annual are a veritable herbal panacea.

Ayurveda focuses on its positive digestive effect when there is cold and sluggishness, but warns of its inappropriate use in times of emotional stress and environmental heat. Rasona means lacking a taste , derived from rasa meaning taste and una meaning lacking , as it lacks the sour taste. ENERGETICS Rasa (taste) Pungent, sweet Vi-rya (energy) Heating Vipa-ka (post-digestive effect) Pungent Gun.a (quality) Heavy, unctuous, penetrating Dos.a effect VK-, P+ Dha-tu (tissue) All tissues Srotas (channel) Digestive, respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, mental CONSTITUENTS Volatile oil Alliin, which converts to allicin on crushing, diallyl disulphide Mucilage Germanium Glucokinins AYURVEDIC ACTION Br m han a Nourishing Vr s ya Aphrodisiac Di-pana Enkindles the digestive fire Sa-ra Eases the flow of stool A mana- saka Destroys toxins Pittaraktavardhana Aggravating to pitta and blood Va-tarasa-yana Rejuvenator to vata Hr dayarogahara Cures diseases of the heart Jvaraghna Destroys fevers Su - laghna Alleviates abdominal pain Kr mighna Vermifuge Ka-saghna Removes coughs BIOMEDICAL ACTION Carminative, vermifuge, vasodilator, expectorant, anticholesterol, antibacterial/antifungal INDICATIONS Digestion Garlic is a classic folk medicine used for gastric disturbances flatulence, worms, parasites, infections, dysentery,

typhoid, food poisoning, Candida albicans. Its ability to remove pathogenic bacteria without depleting the body s natural flora takes it a step beyond being just a herbal antibiotic . As it cleans the intestinal flora it may increase wind for a few days. It is useful whenever there is a disturbance of kledaka kapha or apana vayu in the intestines as it clears both mucus and gaseous distension. It can also stimulate a sluggish liver (Mills 1991). Lungs The little white bulbs have a potent therapeutic effect on the lungs; the volatile oils actually appear on the breath having cleaned the bronchioles and alveoli. It is strongly decongestant. As a rejuvenative for vata it encourages the free flow of breath, specifically udana and pranavayu. As an expectorant it can help to clear wet and sticky mucus. A very useful cold remedy with classic kapha symptoms; catarrh, heavy feeling, sluggishness, loss of appetite, shivering, aching limbs, myalgia. Garlic helps to expel the congestion and ama by inducing diaphoresis. Immunity It enhances the body s immunity as well as directly removing pathogens. It can be both a prophylactic and a cure for many infections. Heart It directly benefits the heart by reducing kapha and ama in the rasa, rakta and medas dhatus and this has the effect of lowering blood cholesterol and reducing clotting; potential use in thrombosis and varicose veins. Its inclusion in a preventative regime to reduce the chances of atherosclerosis in kapha and vata types seems wise (Mills 1991). As a circulatory stimulant it warms the whole body. This regulatory effect on the circulation and the arteries is further demonstrated by either lowering or raising blood pressure depending on the GARLIC Common name Garlic (E), Lasuna (H) Sanskrit Lasuna, Rasona Latin Allium sativum Bulb us (Liliaceae) condition; it balances, restores and regulates.

External With kapha vata skin disorders garlic is very useful as a paste or oil; ringworm, fungal infections, ear infections. An external oil rub may benefit arthritis, sciatica, oedema. COMBINATIONS * Ginger, fennel, chitraka, hingu, black pepper for digestive weakness. * Pippali, licorice, ajwain for coughs. * Guggulu, pushkaramoola, arjuna and bibhitaki for the heart. CONTRAINDICATIONS Pregnancy as its hot and sharp qualities can disturb the fetus, but it is fine for lactation (Low Dog 2002). Conditions where the blood is vitiated; skin conditions or bleeding. Also in other pitta problems, hyperacidity, high blood pressure from heat, ulcers. As it is overly stimulating it may also be contraindicated in premature ejaculation and spermatorrhoea. SAFETY Caution in patients taking antiplatelet medication as it may potentiate anticoagulation effects of these medicines. There is no direct evidence that garlic and warfarin will interact but caution is advised. Caution with hypotensive medication as garlic reduces diastolic blood pressure. Avoid garlic for 10 days prior to operative surgery. There may be a positive interaction with statins by increasing the cholesterol lowering effects and monitoring is advised (Low Dog 2002, Braun & Cohen 2003, 2004, Harkness & Bratman 2003) DOSAGE 1 3 cloves per day, 6 15g dry or 1 6ml per day of a 1:3 @ 45% tincture. NOTES The bulb is pungent, the leaves are bitter, the stem is astringent, the tips of the stem are salty and the seeds are sweet. As a tonic for va-ta it is best taken fried with ghee. It is considered to be extremely rajasic or passion inducing. Its heat and penetrating nature aggravate the mind and create desire. It is an inappropriate food for those practising a sattvic or yogic lifestyle. Avoid too much heating activity (exercise, sunbathing, anger) while taking garlic to maximise its therapeutic benefits and reduce the chance of

any aggravations.