What does garlic pills do

Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions. For More Information. Toll-free in the U. Office of Dietary Supplements ODS , National Institutes of Health NIH ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public. Key References.

Natural Medicines website. Accessed at naturalmedicines. Garlic for the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Garlic and onions: their cancer prevention properties. Cancer Prevention Research. Get Permissions. Read the Issue. Sign Up Now. Previous: Diabetic Nephropathy: Common Questions. Jul 1, Issue. Health Effects of Garlic. C 5 to 13 Patients at risk of thrombosis should be advised that garlic may have a modest but significant effect on platelet aggregation compared with placebo.

C 10 Patients should be advised that there may be a reduction in the risk of cancer, particularly stomach and colon cancer, with high consumption of garlic and other allium vegetables e. Pharmacology The root bulb of the garlic plant is used medicinally.

Uses and Efficacy Garlic has been studied extensively in vitro, in animal and human clinical trials, and in epidemiologic evaluations for its multiple medicinal properties. Contraindications, Adverse Effects, Interactions The ingestion of one to two cloves of raw garlic per day is considered safe in adults. Dosage The effective dosage of garlic has not been determined. Final Comment Large, long-term, fully blinded, and well-controlled studies using a standardized preparation of garlic with known active components are necessary.

Adult dosage Raw garlic: 4 g per day 1 to 2 cloves Dried powder 1. TABLE 1 Key Points About Garlic Efficacy Antihypertensive activity: no consistent effect Antimicrobial activity: insufficient data Antineoplastic activity: epidemiologic suggestion of positive effect Antithrombotic activity: modest antiplatelet effect Hypoglycemic activity: no effect Lipid-lowering activity: modest, positive short-term effect Adverse effects Common: breath and body odor Less frequent: gastrointestinal upset, flatulence Rare: dermatitis, burns, blisters with topical use Interactions Effect on protease inhibitor pharmacokinetics is unclear; use caution when taken with anticoagulants; consider discontinuing high dosages 7 to 10 days before surgery.

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Navigate this Article. Antihypertensive activity: no consistent effect. Antimicrobial activity: insufficient data. Antineoplastic activity: epidemiologic suggestion of positive effect. Antithrombotic activity: modest antiplatelet effect. Hypoglycemic activity: no effect. Lipid-lowering activity: modest, positive short-term effect. Common: breath and body odor. Less frequent: gastrointestinal upset, flatulence.

Rare: dermatitis, burns, blisters with topical use. Raw garlic: 4 g per day 1 to 2 cloves. Consult with your dermatologist first before putting acne on your skin if you are using any other products, too. Protects your food : Those same antibacterial properties in fresh garlic can kill the bacteria that lead to food poisoning, including salmonella and E. Did you know you can make tea from garlic? You can steep chopped garlic in hot water and cover the taste with honey.

Heating it or putting it in a recipe can change its pH balance. The enzymes from the allicin need a few minutes to start working, so let it sit after you mince, crush or chop it. Overdoing it can cause discomfort, including upset stomach, bloating, diarrhea, body odor and bad breath. Pass the gum, please! On rare occasions, garlic supplements can cause headaches, fatigue, appetite loss, muscle aches, dizziness and allergic reactions such as asthma attacks or skin rashes. Not only do antioxidants benefit blood vessels and reduce inflammation but they may soak up the damaging free radicals that can lead to diseases like cancer though this anti-cancer potential needs to be borne out in human research, says the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Adding flavor through garlic can also potentially help you reduce the need for excess salt on your foods — and for just 4 calories per clove, according to the U. Department of Agriculture. All the more reason to add some garlic to your next meal! By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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