Garlic (Allium sativum) Research

Latin Name: Allium sativum

Family: Alliaceae

Garlic is a stinky herb revered in cooking and also used as an antifungal, insecticidal, and immunity boosting herb.  While research has shown it is good for your blood, potentially reducing fat and sugar levels, there is no scientific evidence to prove it can fend off vampires.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• This provided a review of the pharmacological uses of garlic.  From:  Singh, V. K., & Singh, D. K. (2008). Pharmacological effects of garlic (Allium sativum L.). Annu Rev Biomed Sci, 10, 6-26
• A meta-review indicated that garlic lowered blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and boosted immunity.  From:  Ried, K. (2016). Garlic lowers blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, regulates serum cholesterol, and stimulates immunity: an updated meta-analysis and review. The Journal of nutrition, 146(2), 389S-396S.
• Petersen, D.  (2015).  Aromatherapy materia medica.  Essential oil monographs.  American College of Healthcare Sciences.
• WebMD.  (n.d.).  Garlic.  Retrieved in December, 2015.  Retrieved from www.webmd.com
• This paper reviewed the research on garlic and its reduction of cholesterol, blood pressure, platelet aggregation, as well as its anticancer effects and topical antimicrobial activities.   From:  Lawson, L. D. (1998). Garlic: a review of its medicinal effects and indicated active compounds.
• The antimicrobial uses of garlic are reviewed.  From:  Goncagul, G., & Ayaz, E. (2010). Antimicrobial effect of garlic (Allium sativum). Recent patents on anti-infective drug discovery, 5(1), 91-93.

SAFETY

• Can result in bad breath and body odor.
• Excessive use can affect the liver, kidneys, stomach, and iodine absorption.
• Not for pregnant or lactating women or small children in medicinal amounts (Petersen, 2015).
• Can irritate the skin.  Do not apply to the skin of young children.  From:  Standard, N. (2016). Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Guide: An Evidence-Based Reference. Elsevier Health Sciences.​
• Caution with bleeding disorders; may increase bleeding (WebMD, n.d.),
• Caution with those with low blood pressure May lower blood pressure (WebMD, n.d.).
• Can have a hypoglycemic effect.
• Possible drug interactions: Isoniazid, Warfarin, Asparin, Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs and other medicines used for AIDS, Saquinavir, birth control pills, cyclosporine, medications changed by the liver, medications that slow down blood clotting (WebMD, n.d.).
• Potentially toxic constituents:  allyl alcohol and disulfide.
• Some people are allergic to garlic or plants in the Liliaceae (Alliaceae)  familing including tulip, onion, and chives and should avoid garlic.  From: Standard, N. (2016). Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Guide: An Evidence-Based Reference. Elsevier Health Sciences.
• The way in which the herb is prepared will result in differing garlic-derived compounds. 
  • Ruddock, P. S., Liao, M., Foster, B. C., Lawson, L., Arnason, J. T., & Dillon, J. A. R. (2005). Garlic natural health products exhibit variable constituent levels and antimicrobial activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Phytotherapy Research, 19(4), 327-334.
  • Staba, E. J., Lash, L., & Staba, J. E. (2001). A commentary on the effects of garlic extraction and formulation on product composition. The Journal of nutrition, 131(3), 1118S-1119S.
  • Weber, N. D., Andersen, D. O., North, J. A., Murray, B. K., Lawson, L. D., & Hughes, B. G. (1992). In vitro virucidal effects of Allium sativum (garlic) extract and compounds. Planta medica, 58(05), 417-423. 
  • Lawson, L. D., Wang, Z. J., & Papadimitriou, D. (2001). Allicin release under simulated gastrointestinal conditions from garlic powder tablets employed in clinical trials on serum cholesterol. Planta medica, 67(01), 13-18.

INSECTICIDAL / ANTI-PARASITIC

• Essential oils from 40 species were tested against larvae of Lycoriella ingénue using a fumigation bioassay.  Horseradish, anise, and garlic oils showed the most potent insecticidal activities and good insecticidal activity was demonstrated by Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Eucalyptus globulus, and Eucalyptus smithii. From:  Park, I. K., Choi, K. S., Kim, D. H., Choi, I. H., Kim, L. S., Bak, W. C., … & Shin, S. C. (2006). Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), anise (Pimpinella anisum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Pest management science, 62(8), 723-728.
• Garlic was effective in treating horses with ringworm.  From:  Asadi, M. R., Alipour, Z., Ferdowsi, H. R., Kayghan, D. M., Köfer, J., & Schobesberger, H. (2011). A comparison between the routine treatment of equine dermatophytosis and treatment with garlic-aloe vera gel. In Animal hygiene and sustainable livestock production. Proceedings of the XVth International Congress of the International Society for Animal Hygiene, Vienna, Austria, 3-7 July 2011, Volume 2. (pp. 959-962). Tribun EU.
• Garlic showed antidermatophytic activity in vitro.  From:  Venugopal, P. V., & Venugopal, T. V. (1995). Antidermatophytic activity of garlic (Allium sativum) in vitro. International journal of dermatology, 34(4), 278-279.
• This article discusses garlic as an insect repellent.  From:  Stjernberg, L., & Berglund, J. (2000). Garlic as an insect repellent. JAMA, 284(7), 831-831.
• The study showed the following as possible termite fumigants:  Melaleuca dissitiflora, Melaleuca uncinata, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus dives, Eucalyptus globulus, Orixa japonica, Cinnamomum cassia, Allium cepa, Illicium verum, Evodia officinalis, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Cacalia roborowskii, Juniperus chinensis var. horizontalis, Juniperus chinensis var. kaizuka, clove bud, and garlic as well as the constituents of Diallyl trisulfide was the most toxic, followed by diallyl disulfide, eugenol, diallyl sulfide, and β-caryophyllene.  From: Park, I. K., & Shin, S. C. (2005). Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from garlic (Allium sativum) and clove bud (Eugenia caryophyllata) oils against the Japanese termite (Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 53(11), 4388-4392.
• Garlic, ginger, black seed squash, and sacred fig showed in vitro anthelmintic activities against multiple parasites tested.  From:  Iqbal, Z., Nadeem, Q. K., Khan, M. N., Akhtar, M. S., & Waraich, F. N. (2001). In vitro anthelmintic activity of Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Curcurbita mexicana and Ficus religiosa. Int J Agri Biol, 3(4), 454-45.
• In this review of research, the following herbs have shown potential against cutaneous leishmaniasis in vivo: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Matricaria chamomilla, Cathrantus roseus, Echinacea purpurea, Lawsonia inermis, Artemisia sieberi, Berberis vulgaris, Allium sativum, and Lavandula spica. This is a skin disease caused by a parasite and transmitted by a bite from a sandfly. From: Shamsi, M. O. R. T. E. Z. A., Abbasi, N., Mohajer, A. S. A. D. O. L. L. A. H., Hoseini, M. A. S. I. H., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. A. H. M. O. U. D. (2018). THE MOST IMPORTANT NATIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS EFFECTIVE AGAINST CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN MOUSE. International Journal of Life Science and Pharma Research, 8(2), P1-P7.

ANTI-DIABETIC

• Raw garlic consumption reduced serum lipid and bloog sugar levels in hyperglycemic patients.  From:  Mahmoodi, M., Zijoud, S. H., Hassanshahi, G. H., Toghroli, M. A., Khaksari, M., Hajizadeh, M. R., & Mirzajani, E. (2011). The effects of consumption of raw garlic on serum lipid level, blood sugar and a number of effective hormones on lipid and sugar metabolism in hyperglycemic and/or hyperlipidemic individuals——Benefit of raw garlic consumption. Advances in Biological Chemistry, 1(02), 29.
• Garlic reduced blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetic rats.  From:  Thomson, M., Al-Amin, Z. M., Al-Qattan, K. K., Shaban, L. H., & Ali, M. (2007). Anti-diabetic and hypolipidaemic properties of garlic (Allium sativum) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Int J Diabetes & Metabolism, 15, 108-15.
• This review discusses research on the anti-diabetic activity of plants including Allium sativum (garlic), Gymnema sylvestre (cowplant), Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple), Trigonella foenum greacum (fenugreek), Momordica charantia (bitter melon) and Ficus bengalensis (Indian banyan).  From:  Patel, D. K., Prasad, S. K., Kumar, R., & Hemalatha, S. (2012). An overview on antidiabetic medicinal plants having insulin mimetic property. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine, 2(4), 320-330.

CARDIAC HEALTH / CHOLESTEROL LOWERING

• There is good scientific evidence with multiple studies demonstrating reduction in LDL cholesterol over short periods.  From:  Ulbricht, C. E. (2010). Natural standard herb & supplement guide: an evidence-based reference. Elsevier Mosby.
• This review discussed research demonstrating garlic to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and to change blood lipoproteins and affect coagulation parameters. From:  Lau, B. H., Adetumbi, M. A., & Sanchez, A. (1983). Allium sativum (garlic) and atherosclerosis: a review. Nutrition research, 3(1), 119-128.
• Garlic consumption reduced serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in men.  From:  Adler, A. J., & Holub, B. J. (1997). Effect of garlic and fish-oil supplementation on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 65(2), 445-450.
• Diallyl disulphide and diallyl trisulphide from garlic showed antiplatelet activity, and inhibited platelet thromboxane formation.  From:  Bordia, A., Verma, S. K., & Srivastava, K. C. (1998). Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) on blood lipids, blood sugar, fibrinogen and fibrinolytic activity in patients with coronary artery disease. Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids, 58(4), 257-263.
• A dose of 900 mg of garlic powder a day reduced cholesterol levels in men.  From:  Holzgartner, H., Schmidt, U., & Kuhn, U. (1992). Comparison of the efficacy and tolerance of a garlic preparation vs. bezafibrate. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 42(12), 1473-1477.
• Garlic had an anti-hypertensive effect in rats.  From:  Suetsuna, K. (1998). Isolation and characterization of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor dipeptides derived from Allium sativum L (garlic). The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 9(7), 415-419.
• Allicin is a key constituent of garlic contributing to cholesterol lowering.  From:  Lawson, L. D., Wang, Z. J., & Papadimitriou, D. (2001). Allicin release under simulated gastrointestinal conditions from garlic powder tablets employed in clinical trials on serum cholesterol. Planta medica, 67(01), 13-18.
• This research discusses the studies of garlic to reduce blood pressure.  From:  Silagy, C. A., & Neil, H. A. W. (1994). A meta-analysis of the effect of garlic on blood pressure. Journal of hypertension, 12(4), 463-468.
• There is good scientific evidence with multiple studies demonstrating reduction in LDL cholesterol over short periods.  From:  Ulbricht, C. E. (2010). Natural standard herb & supplement guide: an evidence-based reference. Elsevier Mosby.
• A compilation of research showed the following herbs to have a hypolipidemic effect:  yarrow, onion, garlic, dill, celery, burdock, oats, barberry, cabbage, chili pepper, safflower, chicory, chickpea, bitter orange, orange, guggul, coriander, cranberry, melon, pumpkin, artichoke, ginseng, eugenol, schelelecht, ginkgo, soy, walnut, apple, nutmeg, red yeast rice, miswak, evening primrose, basil, bulacy, orchis, avocado, plantain, blond plotitago, green bean, purslane, black cherry, pomegranate, milk thistle, brinjal, tomato, tamarind, thea, thyme, fenugreek, bilberry, grape, ginger, and corn.  From:  Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Khoddami, M., Khazraei, H. R., Dehkordil, E. B., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2017). Hypolipidemic herbals with diuretic effects: A systematic review. In Biol. Sci (Vol. 8, pp. 21-28).

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• Phytochemicals derived from spices can reduce inflammatory diseases.  These include:  turmeric (curcumin), red pepper (capsaicin), cloves (eugenol), ginger (gingerol), cumin, anise (anethol), fennel (anethol), basil (ursolic acid), rosemary (ursolic acid), garlic (diallyl sulfide, S-allylmercaptocysteine, and ajoene), and pomegranate (ellagic acid). From:  Aggarwal, B. B., & Shishodia, S. (2004). Suppression of the Nuclear Factor‐κB Activation Pathway by Spice‐Derived Phytochemicals: Reasoning for Seasoning. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1030(1), 434-441.

​ANTI-CANCER

• In a review of multiple human studies, the authors concluded: garlic consumption may protect against gastrointestinal cancers. This was a review of 21 human studies involving 543,220 participants. From:  Fleischauer, A. T., Poole, C., & Arab, L. (2000). Garlic consumption and cancer prevention: meta-analyses of colorectal and stomach cancers–. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 72(4), 1047-1052.
• This mega-analysis summarized the research on garlic in treating cancer.  From:  Thomson, M., & Ali, M. (2003). Garlic [Allium sativum]: a review of its potential use as an anti-cancer agent. Current cancer drug targets, 3(1), 67-81.
• In a small study of patients with colorectal adenomas, eating aged garlic regularly over 6 months and over a year significantly reduced the incidences of cancer compared the control group.  From: Tanaka, S., Haruma, K., Yoshihara, M., Kajiyama, G., Kira, K., Amagase, H., & Chayama, K. (2006). Aged garlic extract has potential suppressive effect on colorectal adenomas in humans. The Journal of nutrition, 136(3), 821S-826S.
• In a small study of patients with advanced colorectal, liver, or pancreatic cancer, eating aged garlic over 6 months increased the number of natural killer cells, which help fight cancer cells.  From:  Ishikawa, H., Saeki, T., Otani, T., Suzuki, T., Shimozuma, K., Nishino, H., … & Morimoto, K. (2006). Aged garlic extract prevents a decline of NK cell number and activity in patients with advanced cancer. The Journal of nutrition, 136(3), 816S-820S.
• Garlic extract combined with garlic powder human lymphatic leukemia tumor cell growth.  From:  Siegers, C. P., Steffen, B., Röbke, A., & Pentz, R. (1999). The effects of garlic preparations against human tumor cell proliferation. Phytomedicine, 6(1), 7-11.

ANTIOXIDANT

• Garlic extract showed an antioxidant, scavenging, lipid peroxidation effect.  From:  Bozin, B., Mimica-Dukic, N., Samojlik, I., Goran, A., & Igic, R. (2008). Phenolics as antioxidants in garlic (Allium sativum L., Alliaceae). Food chemistry, 111(4), 925-929.

IMMUNITY

• Aged garlic was tested for its immunomodulatory effect; The study strongly suggests it could be valuable in improving immunity factors.  From:  Kyo, E., Uda, N., Kasuga, S., & Itakura, Y. (2001). Immunomodulatory effects of aged garlic extract. The Journal of nutrition, 131(3), 1075S-1079S.
• Results of the double blind study suggested aged garlic extract in a diet may enhance immune cell function and reduced the severity of colds and flu.  From:  Nantz, M. P., Rowe, C. A., Muller, C. E., Creasy, R. A., Stanilka, J. M., & Percival, S. S. (2012). Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention. Clinical Nutrition, 31(3), 337-344.
• One hundred forty-six volunteers were randomized and those taking the allicin-containing garlic supplement, one capsule daily, over a 12-week period between November and February were less likely to catch the common cold.  From:  Josling, P. (2001). Preventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Advances in therapy, 18(4), 189-193.
• A garlic supplement reduced acute respiratory infections in children.  From:  Andrianova, I. V., Sobenin, I. A., Sereda, E. V., Borodina, L. I., & Studenikin, M. I. (2002). Effect of long-acting garlic tablets” allicor” on the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections in children. Terapevticheskii arkhiv, 75(3), 53-56.

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL

• Garlic and tea tree oil might be an alternative in fighting oral microbes.  From:  Groppo, F. C., Ramacciato, J. C., Simoes, R. P., Florio, F. M., & Sartoratto, A. (2002). Antimicrobial activity of garlic, tea tree oil, and chlorhexidine against oral microorganisms. International dental journal, 52(6), 433-437.
• Against meat bacteria in food: thyme, garlic and cinnamon showed the most antimicrobial activity.  From:  García-Díez, J., Alheiro, J., Falco, V., Fraqueza, M. J., & Patarata, L. (2016). Chemical characterization and antimicrobial properties of herbs and spices essential oils against pathogens and spoilage bacteria associated to dry-cured meat products. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 1-9.
• Allspice, garlic, and oregano oils added to tomato sauce, were antimicrobial.  From:  Du, W. X., Olsen, C. W., Avena‐Bustillos, R. J., McHugh, T. H., Levin, C. E., Mandrell, R., & Friedman, M. (2009). Antibacterial Effects of Allspice, Garlic, and Oregano Essential Oils in Tomato Films Determined by Overlay and Vapor‐Phase Methods. Journal of Food Science, 74(7), M390-M397.
• Garlic and tea tree were effective against oral microorganisms.  From:  Groppo, F. C., Ramacciato, J. C., Simoes, R. P., Florio, F. M., & Sartoratto, A. (2002). Antimicrobial activity of garlic, tea tree oil, and chlorhexidine against oral microorganisms. International dental journal, 52(6), 433-437.
• Basil, clove, garlic, horseradish, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, and thyme exhibited antibacterial activities on a foodborne pathogen, Vibrio parahaemolyticus.  From:  Yano, Y., Satomi, M., & Oikawa, H. (2006). Antimicrobial effect of spices and herbs on Vibrio parahaemolyticus. International journal of food microbiology, 111(1), 6-11.
• Garlic products were tested against the viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1, and 2, parainfluenza virus type 3, vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and human rhinovirus type 2.  Products highest in the constituents ajoene (found in crushed garlic) and allicin were the most antiviral.  From:  Weber, N. D., Andersen, D. O., North, J. A., Murray, B. K., Lawson, L. D., & Hughes, B. G. (1992). In vitro virucidal effects of Allium sativum (garlic) extract and compounds. Planta medica, 58(05), 417-423.
  In an assessment of the antimicrobial activity of commercial garlic products, those containing higher levels of the garlic constituent allicin were more effective. From:  Ruddock, P. S., Liao, M., Foster, B. C., Lawson, L., Arnason, J. T., & Dillon, J. A. R. (2005). Garlic natural health products exhibit variable constituent levels and antimicrobial activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Phytotherapy Research, 19(4), 327-334.
• Garlic and its allicin constituent show antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic activity.  From:  Ankri, S., & Mirelman, D. (1999). Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic. Microbes and infection, 1(2), 125-129.
• Diallyl disulfide, as a constituent in garlic, showed antifungal activity.  From:  Avato, P., Tursi, F., Vitali, C., Miccolis, V., & Candido, V. (2000). Allylsulfide constituents of garlic volatile oil as antimicrobial agents. Phytomedicine, 7(3), 239-243.
• Garlic and onion extracts showed antimicrobial activity and maybe effective in stored foods.  From:  Benkeblia, N. (2004). Antimicrobial activity of essential oil extracts of various onions (Allium cepa) and garlic (Allium sativum). LWT-Food Science and Technology, 37(2), 263-268.
• Allicin extracted from garlic demonstrated antibacterial, antimicrobial activities.  From:  Feldberg, R. S., Chang, S. C., Kotik, A. N., Nadler, M., Neuwirth, Z., Sundstrom, D. C., & Thompson, N. H. (1988). In vitro mechanism of inhibition of bacterial cell growth by allicin. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 32(12), 1763-1768.
• Allicin showed activity against multiple food bacteria and fungi, and oomycetes.  From:  Curtis, H., Noll, U., Störmann, J., & Slusarenko, A. J. (2004). Broad-spectrum activity of the volatile phytoanticipin allicin in extracts of garlic (Allium sativum L.) against plant pathogenic bacteria, fungi and Oomycetes. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 65(2), 79-89.
• Garlic extract inhibited oral bacteria. From:  Bakri, I. M., & Douglas, C. W. I. (2005). Inhibitory effect of garlic extract on oral bacteria. Archives of Oral Biology, 50(7), 645-651.
• Results showed the antibacterial effect of allicin against S. epidermidis.  From:  Pérez‐Giraldo, C., Cruz‐Villalón, G., Sánchez‐Silos, R., Martínez‐Rubio, R., Blanco, M. T., & Gómez‐García, A. C. (2003). In vitro activity of allicin against Staphylococcus epidermidis and influence of subinhibitory concentrations on biofilm formation. Journal of applied microbiology, 95(4), 709-711.
• Garlic showed activity against human enteric bacteria.  From:  Ross, Z. M., O’Gara, E. A., Hill, D. J., Sleightholme, H. V., & Maslin, D. J. (2001). Antimicrobial properties of garlic oil against human enteric bacteria: evaluation of methodologies and comparisons with garlic oil sulfides and garlic powder. Applied and environmental microbiology, 67(1), 475-480.
• Constituents from garlic: diallyl thiosulphinate (allicin), methyl allyl thiosulphinate, and allyl methyl thiosulphinate showed antibacterial and antifungal activities.  From:  Hughes, B. G., & Lawson, L. D. (1991). Antimicrobial effects of Allium sativum L.(garlic), Allium ampeloprasum L.(elephant garlic), and Allium cepa L.(onion), garlic compounds and commercial garlic supplement products. Phytotherapy Research, 5(4), 154-158.
• Ajoene, a constituent of garlic, showed strong antimicrobial activity against multiple organisms tested.  From:  Naganawa, R., Iwata, N., Ishikawa, K., Fukuda, H., Fujino, T., & Suzuki, A. (1996). Inhibition of microbial growth by ajoene, a sulfur-containing compound derived from garlic. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 62(11), 4238-4242.
• Ethenol extracts from Syzygium aromaticum, Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ocimum sanctum, Piper nigrum, Azadirachta indica, Centella asiatica, and Zingiber officinale showed antimicrobial activity against most tested oral microbes. From: Gauniyal, P., & Teotia, U. V. S. (2014). Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants against oral flora. Asian Pac J Health Sci, 1(3), 255-63.

​​EAR PAIN

• Naturopathic ear drops containing Allium sativum, Verbascum thapsus, Calendula flores, Hypericum perfoliatum, lavender, and vitamin E in olive oil reduced ear pain in a double blind study of children.  From:  Sarrell, E. M., Cohen, H. A., & Kahan, E. (2003). Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children. Pediatrics, 111(5), e574-e579.

COUGH

• Listed are herbs commonly used for cough suppression.  These herbs include: Acacia catechu, Acorus calamus, Adhatoda vasica, Allium sativum, Angelica archangelica, Astragalus membranaceus, Carum copticum, Lavandula angustifolia, Lobelia inflata, Salvia officinalis, Sambucus nigra, Tussilago farfara, Valeriana officinalis, Verbascum thapsus, and Zingiber officinale.  From:  Sultana, S., Khan, A., & Alhazmi, M. M. S. H. A. (2016). Cough Suppressant Herbal Drugs: A Review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention, 5(5), 15-28.

ORAL HEALTH

• Ethenol extracts from Syzygium aromaticum, Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ocimum sanctum, Piper nigrum, Azadirachta indica, Centella asiatica, and Zingiber officinale showed antimicrobial activity against most tested oral microbes. From: Gauniyal, P., & Teotia, U. V. S. (2014). Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants against oral flora. Asian Pac J Health Sci, 1(3), 255-63.

ANALGESIC

• In a review of research, plants used to treat neuropathic pain include: Vernonia cinerea, Ocimum sanctum, Ferula hermonis, Sambucus nigra, Salvia officinalis, Moringa oleifera, Harpagophytum procumbens, Momordica charantia, Butea monosperma, Punica granatum, Commiphora mukul, Ginkgo biloba, Crocus sativus , Cymbopogon martinii, Sinomenium acutum, Euterpe oleracea, Matricaria chamomilla, Nigella sativa, Aconiti tuber, Emblica officinalis, Phyllanthus amarus, Artemisia dracunculus, Allium sepa, and Allium sativum. From: Verma, S., Jain, C. P., Chauhan, L. S., & Shukla, A. K. (2016). A review on treatment and management of neuropathic pain with herbal folk drugs. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2(5), 104-110.

Compiled By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 9/5/19