Fortschr Med. 1995 Jul; 113(20-21): 311-5.

[Garlic (Allium sativum)--a potent medicinal plant]

Resch KL, Ernst E.

Postgraduate Medical School, University of Exeter, UK.

A good deal of evidence suggests beneficial effects of the regular dietary intake of garlic on mild hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Garlic seems to have anti-microbial and immunostimulating properties, enhance fibrinolytic activity, and exert favorable effects on platelet aggregation and adhesion. Standardised preparations guarantee exact dosing and minimize the problem of the strong odour of raw garlic. Thus, a traditional folk remedy has established its usefulness for many patients with less severe forms of cardiovascular disease as a medical drug with very few side effects. The available evidence gives rise to the hope that the list of indications may even be considerably extended in the future.