Medicinal use of garlic

The biological activity of garlic is as shown: amebicide, antibacterial, acaricide, antibacterial, emmenagogue, antispasmodic, immunostimulatory, vasodilator, expectorant and antiasthmatic.

There are also results in hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, arterial disease, intermittent claudication, retinopathy. Garlic is effective in preventing thromboembolism and hyperuricemia and contributes in the treatment of diabetes.

Another use of garlic is in the treatment of genitourinary disorders such as cystitis, ureteritis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis due to the allicin and its derivatives are excreted to a large degree renally.

Uses of garlic in respiratory conditions: Flu, colds, sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma.

In the digestive tract garlic is used for intestinal parasites and amoebic dysentery prevention. In topical use: Dermatomycoses, periodontal disease, hyperkeratosis.
 
Small doses help digestion. For chest conditions can take a clove of garlic with milk. In India the natives use drops in small doses to fight deafness. There are references to their use in the treatment of tuberculosis. The infusion of garlic was used against cholera and scurvy. In dermal applications has been used for scabies and ringworm.

Garlic should be used with caution in hyperthyroidism, active bleeding, pre and post-operative, thrombocytopenia, warfarin-type anticoagulant therapy or hemostatic (especially extractive forms), gastroduodenal ulcers.

Do not give excessively to children under 10 years. Garlic consumption due to drusen oxalates, may produce gastrointestinal irritation. For external use can cause contact dermatitis, due to its vesicant effect.

The pure essential oil can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, diaphoresis, menorrhagia and spinal epidural hematoma. Garlic interacts actions of antihypertensives and anticoagulants and drugs that inhibit hepatic metabolism. Use cautiously with cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, fluorxacina, ketoconazole, paroxetine, imipramine, phenytoin and propranolol.