Allium sativum, also known as garlic or lehsan which is easily available in kitchens and is widely used as a flavoring agent. However, it is also extensively used as a medicinal herb due to the presence of sulfur-containing compounds such as allicin and others.
There are many different types of garlic, but it is mainly divided into two types -hardneck and softneck on the basis of their clove arrangement, texture or stem structure.
Here we are discuss the pharmacological activities and medicinal properties of Allium sativum L. (Soft stem, lehsan).
Medicinal and Pharmacological activities
*It is used to treat chest and other infections such as cold and flu due to its antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic and antibacterial properties.
*It helps to boost your immunity.
- It improves blood circulation and also works as a blood-thinning agents so It helps in reducing blood pressure or effective in hypertension.
*Some research papers shows that it is very helpful in reducing total cholesterol and LDL or decreases the risk of cardiac arrest.
*Other research papers suggest that it lowers the risk of oxidative stress-related diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease due to the presence of antioxidants.
*It improves hair growth naturally.
*If we talk about the effects of garlic on male health; garlic contain sulfur-containing compounds such as allicin which decreases the cortisol level and decrease cortisol level means promote testosterone level which is responsible for mood elevation, muscles growth, reproductive activity and increase energy level.
*Conclusion from some research papers state that garlic helps protect against prostate enlargement and may reduce the risk of prostate cancer due to its antioxidant and anti- inflammatory activity.
*It also help protect against erectile dysfunction because it improves blood circulation and balance hormone level.
Side effects:
Avoid the persistent use of garlic if:
*you are suffering from any bleeding disorder or taking any kind of blood-thinning medications.
*It can cause foul breath.
*It may cause abdominal discomfort or bloating, heartburn, and diarrhea.
Conclusion:
In reality garlic is very small ingredient, commonly used in curry for taste enhancement but it quietly protects us from many diseases in a natural way often without us even realizing it.
Garlic has been used as a herbal medicine for centuries, and research on it is still ongoing and definitely research-based benefits will continue to be discovered.
(Image is sourced from Google or A.I for educational purpose).