Plant Profile

Garlic

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026
Allium sativum
Family: Amaryllidaceae  ·  Parts used: Bulb, Leaf, Root, Young sprouts  ·  Also known as: cultivated garlic, common garlic

Common names in 33 European languages →

The complete database record: 1 documented constituent, 7 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, with 40 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Bulbous perennial herb usually grown as an annual, forming an underground compound bulb ('head') of several angular cloves wrapped in papery white to purplish skin. The leaves are flat, narrow and strap-shaped, greyish-green, arising from the bulb. A tall, leafless flowering stem (scape) may rise from the bulb bearing a rounded umbel of small pink-white flowers, often mixed with small bulbils, though cultivated garlic rarely sets true seed.[1]

Height: 30-100 cm (flowering scape)
Habit: Bulbous perennial herb, usually grown as an annual
Leaves: Flat, narrow, strap-shaped, greyish-green
Flowers: Small pink-white flowers in a rounded umbel, often mixed with bulbils; true seed is rare in cultivated garlic
Stem: Tall, leafless flowering scape when present
Root: Fibrous roots below a compound bulb of several cloves
Fruit: Rarely sets true seed; propagated mainly by cloves
Flowering Period: Summer

Habitat & Distribution

Believed to originate in Central Asia; cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical climates as a garden and field crop, thriving in well-drained, sunny sites.[1]

Harvesting

Bulbs are lifted in mid- to late summer once the leaves have yellowed and died back, then cured (dried) in a warm, airy place before storage; young leaves and immature flower scapes ('sprouts') can be cut earlier in the season.

Parts: Leaf, Root, Young sprouts
Season: Mid- to late summer for the bulb; spring for young leaves and sprouts

Key Constituents

Allicin and organosulfur compounds (ajoene, S-allyl-cysteine)[1, 2, 6, 7, 8]

Allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate), formed enzymatically when raw garlic is crushed, together with ajoene and the aged-garlic compound S-allyl-cysteine, are the principal bioactives behind garlic's antimicrobial and cardiovascular effects - acting partly by raising nitric oxide and by targeting microbial thiol-containing enzymes.

Allicin / organosulfur thiosulfinatesOrganosulfur compounds

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[2, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18]
Anticancer (preclinical)[17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23]

Garlic organosulfur compounds (allicin, diallyl trisulfide, ajoene, S-allylcysteine) induce apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest and inhibit proliferation, invasion and metastasis across leukaemia, breast, colon and other cancers (preclinical); a randomized trial found garlic supplementation reduced gastric-cancer mortality.

Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)[1, 3, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18]
Antifungal[8, 12, 13, 16, 17]
Antimicrobial[1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 13, 16, 17, 24]
Antioxidant[1, 2, 7, 12, 13, 16, 17]
Immunomodulator / immune support[2, 3, 12, 13, 16, 17]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[12]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0127, REF-0204, REF-0312, REF-0648
Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Blood sugar / diabetes support[3, 12, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0127, REF-0204, REF-0312
Evidence: 8
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support

more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →

Cancer (anticancer research)[17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23]Moderate · 5/10

Garlic and its organosulfur compounds show broad preclinical anticancer/chemopreventive activity (apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, anti-invasion); in the randomized Shandong Intervention Trial, 7 years of garlic supplementation significantly reduced gastric-cancer mortality over 22-year follow-up (preclinical + RCT).

Evidence: 5
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →

Cardiovascular / heart health[4, 6, 7, 12, 16, 18]Strong · 9/10
Evidence: 9
Label: Cardiovascular / heart health

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Cold & flu[12, 13, 16]Good · 8/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0312, REF-2428
Evidence: 8
Label: Cold & flu

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →

Immune support[12, 13, 16]Good · 8/10
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0312
Evidence: 8
Label: Immune support

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Infection (general)[8, 12, 13, 16]Good · 8/10

inferred from antifungal action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0312
Evidence: 8
Label: Infection (general)

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)[12, 18]Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0127, REF-0204, REF-0312
Evidence: 7
Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Metabolic support[12, 16, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0127, REF-0312
Evidence: 8
Label: Metabolic support

more plants for metabolic support →detailed sources →

Skin irritation[12]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0127, REF-0204, REF-0312, REF-0648
Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Wounds[8, 12, 24]Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0127, REF-0204, REF-0312
Evidence: 2
Label: Wounds

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Garlic has one of the longest continuous medicinal histories of any plant, used across many traditional systems (Ayurvedic, Chinese, Egyptian, Greco-Roman and European folk medicine) as an antimicrobial, cardiovascular and respiratory remedy, for colds and infections, and as a digestive and immune tonic. This traditional reputation is now among the most extensively clinically studied of all herbal medicines.[1, 12]

Preparations

Fresh clove[1]

Fresh clove crushed or chopped and left to stand briefly (activating allicin formation) before eating raw or lightly cooked.

Standardised extract/powder[1, 13]

Dried garlic powder standardised to allicin content, or aged garlic extract, taken as capsules or tablets.

Dosage

Fresh clove[14]

The WHO monograph on Bulbus Allii Sativi gives an average daily dose of 2-5 g of fresh garlic (roughly one to two cloves), alongside 0.4-1.2 g of dried powder, 2-5 mg of oil and 300-1000 mg of extract as solid material. The EU herbal monograph gives no posology for fresh cloves, so WHO is the source here. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Standardised powder extract[13, 15]

The EU herbal monograph gives, for adults and elderly, powdered herbal substance at a single dose of 300-750 mg for a daily dose of 900-1380 mg divided into 3 to 5 doses; liquid extract 110-220 mg four times daily; and, for the second indication, dry extract 100-200 mg 1-2 times daily (daily dose 100-400 mg). Garlic is CONTRAINDICATED in patients on saquinavir/ritonavir therapy. Not recommended under 18 years for the first indication. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[12, 13, 16, 17, 25]Caution

Garlic is generally very safe at culinary and supplemental doses for most healthy adults. Raw garlic contains allicin (formed when crushed) at concentrations that can irritate the gastrointestinal tract - nausea, heartburn, flatulence, and diarrhoea are the most common side effects, especially with large amounts of raw garlic on an empty stomach. Garlic may inhibit platelet aggregation and enhance anticoagulant effects of warfarin - use caution with blood-thinning medications, especially before surgery (stop 7–10 days prior). May lower blood pressure and blood sugar - caution when combined with antihypertensive or antidiabetic medications. Topical raw garlic can cause chemical burns (contact dermatitis) and should not be applied undiluted to skin for prolonged periods. Odour (from allicin metabolites) affects breath and perspiration. Pregnancy: culinary amounts safe; avoid medicinal-dose supplements due to blood-thinning risk (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2021).

Safety note[12, 13, 16, 17, 25, 26]Caution

Duke (2002) rates garlic as +++ with exceptional clinical evidence (score 3) for antiseptic activity, and score 2 for anti-aggregant (antiplatelet), antiatherosclerotic, antiatherogenic, antibacterial, and antimycotic effects - among the most clinically validated herbal medicines. Commission E approves garlic for arteriosclerosis prevention and elevated blood lipids. Dose: 4 g (1 clove) fresh garlic daily, or 300 mg standardized dry powder extract (1.3% allicin) three times daily. Important interaction: garlic significantly potentiates anticoagulant medications (warfarin, aspirin) due to its anti-aggregant effects; use with caution in patients on blood thinners (Duke, 2002).

Herb-Drug Interactions

Antiretrovirals[27, 28]Caution
Mechanism: Garlic supplements reduced saquinavir exposure by about half in healthy volunteers, which could lower the effectiveness of some HIV protease inhibitors.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Anticoagulants Antiplatelets[28]Caution
Mechanism: Garlic has antiplatelet activity (ajoene) and may add to the bleeding risk of anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs; interactions with warfarin have been reported.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Antidiabetics[28, 29]Caution
Mechanism: Garlic may modestly lower blood glucose (a meta-analysis in diabetic patients found reduced fasting glucose and HbA1c); watch for an additive effect with diabetes medication (an interaction with chlorpropamide has been reported).
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Antihypertensives[16]Caution
Mechanism: Garlic can lower blood pressure (a meta-analysis found meaningful reductions in people with high blood pressure); combined with blood-pressure medicines it may add to their effect, so monitor blood pressure.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Herb-Herb Pairings

Ginger[30, 31]

Garlic and ginger both reduce blood clotting/platelet stickiness, so taking them together may add up and raise the risk of bruising or bleeding - use caution, especially before surgery or alongside blood-thinning drugs.

Type: caution
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Panax Ginseng[30]

Garlic and ginseng both reduce blood clotting/platelet stickiness, so taking them together may add up and raise the risk of bruising or bleeding - use caution, especially before surgery or alongside blood-thinning drugs.

Type: caution
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Feverfew[30, 32]

Garlic and feverfew both reduce blood clotting/platelet stickiness, so taking them together may add up and raise the risk of bruising or bleeding - use caution, especially before surgery or alongside blood-thinning drugs.

Type: caution
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Black Cumin[16, 33]

Garlic and black seed (Nigella sativa) can each mildly lower blood pressure, so taking them together - especially alongside blood-pressure medicines - may add up and lower blood pressure more than expected. Monitor your blood pressure.

Type: caution
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Dangerous Lookalikes

Colchicum Autumnale[34, 35, 36, 37]Fatal
Confused Part: Spring leaves, when foraging wild garlic (ramsons) foliage before flowering.
Confusion Context: When people gather wild garlic (ramsons) leaves in spring, autumn crocus leaves - which emerge at the same time in the same damp meadows and woodland edges - are the deadliest thing they can pick by mistake. Autumn crocus contains colchicine, a cell poison with no reliable antidote; a few leaves can kill, and poisoning is repeatedly documented from 'wild garlic' that was actually autumn crocus, progressing from stomach upset to multi-organ failure.
Distinguishing Features: Crushed wild-garlic leaves smell strongly of garlic or onion; autumn crocus leaves have NO garlic smell., Each wild-garlic leaf grows singly on its own slender stalk; autumn crocus leaves are thicker, stiffer and glossy, several clasped together from a common base at ground level, with no individual stalks., Wild garlic pulls up with a small white bulb and onion-like roots; autumn crocus has no garlic bulb.
Key Test: Crush one leaf with clean hands and smell it: a strong garlic or onion smell = wild garlic (safe); no garlic smell = do not pick it. Hands already smelling of garlic give false reassurance, so test with clean hands.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-06
Convallaria Majalis[38, 39, 40]Fatal
Confused Part: Spring leaves, when foraging wild garlic (ramsons) foliage before flowering.
Confusion Context: Lily-of-the-valley leaves emerge at the same time and in the same shady, damp woodland as wild garlic and are a classic, sometimes fatal, mix-up. The plant contains cardiac glycosides (convallatoxin) that disturb the heartbeat like an overdose of heart medicine, and there is no reliable antidote; foragers who ate leaves they took for wild garlic have arrived at hospital with a dangerously slow heart and low blood pressure.
Distinguishing Features: Crushed wild-garlic leaves smell strongly of garlic or onion; lily-of-the-valley leaves have NO garlic smell., Wild garlic has ONE leaf per individual stalk; lily-of-the-valley has a pair (sometimes three) of leaves wrapped together around a single common stalk, often purplish at the base., Lily-of-the-valley leaves are stiffer and glossier, and there is no garlic bulb underneath.
Key Test: Crush one leaf with clean hands and smell: strong garlic or onion = wild garlic (safe); no garlic smell = discard. Then check the leaves - one leaf per separate stalk (wild garlic) versus a pair of leaves sheathed around one common stalk (lily-of-the-valley).
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-06
Arum Maculatum[40]Irritant
Confused Part: Young spring leaves, when foraging wild garlic (ramsons) foliage.
Confusion Context: Lords-and-ladies pushes up its young leaves at the same time and in the very same damp woods as wild garlic, often mixed in with it. Every part contains needle-like calcium-oxalate crystals: biting a leaf drives them into the mouth and throat, causing immediate intense burning, blistering and swelling - occasionally enough to threaten the airway.
Distinguishing Features: Crushed wild-garlic leaves smell strongly of garlic or onion; lords-and-ladies leaves have NO garlic smell., Wild-garlic leaves have parallel veins running the length of the leaf; lords-and-ladies leaves have a branching net of veins., Lords-and-ladies leaves are arrow- or spear-shaped with two backward-pointing lobes ('tails') at the base, often glossy and sometimes dark-spotted; wild-garlic leaves are smooth ovals with no basal lobes.
Key Test: Crush one leaf with clean hands and smell: garlic or onion = wild garlic (safe); no smell = discard. Reject any leaf that is arrow-shaped with basal 'tail' lobes or has net-like (not parallel) veins - that is lords-and-ladies.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-06

Harvest Readiness

[9]

Part: bulb
Signals: Lift the bulb in mid- to late summer when the lower leaves have begun to yellow and die back from the bottom up while several upper leaves are still green (each remaining green leaf is a wrapper layer on the bulb); the cloves are then plump and the outer skins thick and papery.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: Around the end of July-beginning of August, about a month after your scapes appeared, leaves will begin to yellow. They yellow from the bottom up. Stop watering when several bottom leaves are yellow, but top leaves are still green. Each green leaf represents a layer
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Growing Garlic (REF-3193). The bulb (Allium sativum bulb) is the primary medicinal part per the WHO monograph but was absent from parts_used; added in this edit. Maturity signal: lower leaves yellow bottom-up while upper leaves stay green. Single source -> provisional.

[10]

Part: leaf
Signals: For green (spring) garlic, pull the young plant in spring once the green leaves are lush and full, before the bulb divides and matures.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: Green garlic can be pulled at any stage once the leaves are lush and full; the longer you wait to harvest, the more pronounced the bulb will be.
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: Garden Betty, green garlic (REF-3194), confirming Allium sativum. The leaf is taken at the green-garlic stage in spring. Single source -> provisional.

[10]

Part: shoot
Signals: Gather the young sprouts/shoots in spring at the green-garlic stage, while the shoots are tender and the bulb has not yet divided.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: Green garlic is the immature version of garlic (Allium sativum)—essentially, young garlic without a divided bulb.
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: Garden Betty, green garlic (REF-3194). 'Young sprouts' = the immature spring shoots, pulled before the bulb divides. Single source -> provisional.

[11]

Part: root
Signals: The root is not gathered on a schedule of its own: it is lifted with the bulb, when about half the leaves have turned brown, and trimmed off close to the base of the bulb.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: In general, garlic is ready to harvest when half of the leaves have turned brown. Dig the bulbs with the shoots still attached. Loosen the soil underneath the bulb and carefully pull up the entire plant by the shoot.
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: Wisconsin Horticulture / UW-Madison Extension (REF-3372) gives the leaf-browning signal for lifting the whole plant, and the same page directs 'trim roots close to the base of the bulb' - so the readiness of the root IS the readiness of the bulb. Recorded as a real (if dependent) signal rather than a gap. Single lineage -> provisional.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

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    https://doi.org/10.2165/11317010-000000000-00000
  29. Shabani, E., Sayemiri, K. and Mohammadpour, M (2019) 'The effect of garlic on lipid profile and glucose parameters in diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Primary Care Diabetes, 13(1), pp. 28-42. doi:10.1016/j.pcd.2018.07.007 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcd.2018.07.007
  30. Ang-Lee, M.K., Moss, J. and Yuan, C.S (2001) 'Herbal medicines and perioperative care', JAMA, 286(2), pp. 208-216. doi:10.1001/jama.286.2.208 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.286.2.208
  31. Jiang, X., Williams, K.M., Liauw, W.S., Ammit, A.J., Roufogalis, B.D., Duke, C.C., Day, R.O. and McLachlan, A.J (2005) 'Effect of ginkgo and ginger on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects', British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 59(4), pp. 425-432. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2005.02322.x Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2005.02322.x
  32. Groenewegen, W.A. and Heptinstall, S (1990) 'A comparison of the effects of an extract of feverfew and parthenolide, a component of feverfew, on human platelet activity in-vitro', Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 42(8), pp. 553-557. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1990.tb07057.x Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1990.tb07057.x
  33. Sahebkar, A., Soranna, D., Liu, X., Thomopoulos, C., Simental-Mendia, L.E., Derosa, G., Maffioli, P. and Parati, G (2016) 'A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seed) on blood pressure', Journal of Hypertension, 34(11), pp. 2127-2135. doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000001049 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000001049
  34. Galland-Decker, C. and Charmoy, A. and Jolliet, P. and Spertini, O. and Hugli, O. and Pantet, O (2015) 'Progressive organ failure after ingestion of wild garlic juice', The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 50(1), pp. 55-60. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2015.06.034 Clinical study
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2015.06.034
  35. Kupper, J. and Reichert, C (2009) 'Intoxications with plants', Therapeutische Umschau, 66(5), pp. 343-8. doi:10.1024/0040-5930.66.5.343 Clinical study
    https://doi.org/10.1024/0040-5930.66.5.343
  36. Gabrscek, L. and Lesnicar, G. and Krivec, B. and Voga, G. and Sibanc, B. and Blatnik, J. and Jagodic, B (2004) 'Accidental poisoning with autumn crocus', Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology, 42(1), pp. 85-8. doi:10.1081/clt-120028750 Clinical study
    https://doi.org/10.1081/clt-120028750
  37. German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) (2023) 'Wild garlic: beware of mix-ups'. Available at: https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/press-release/baerlauch-vorsicht-vor-verwechslungen/ Traditional / reference
    https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/press-release/baerlauch-vorsicht-vor-verwechslungen/
  38. Trebach, J. and Calleo, V. and Akbar, S. and Langston, J. and Filigenzi, M. and Hoffman, R.S (2022) 'Detectable digoxin concentrations in 3 patients with ramps misadventure', Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, 33(3), pp. 340-343. doi:10.1016/j.wem.2022.04.008 Clinical study
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2022.04.008
  39. Fink, S.L. and Robey, T.E. and Tarabar, A.F. and Hodsdon, M.E (2014) 'Rapid detection of convallatoxin using five digoxin immunoassays', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 52(7), pp. 659-63. doi:10.3109/15563650.2014.932366 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3109/15563650.2014.932366
  40. Wild Food UK (2020) 'Wild garlic impostors'. Available at: https://www.wildfooduk.com/articles/identifying-mushrooms-and-plants/wild-garlic-impostors/ Traditional / reference
    https://www.wildfooduk.com/articles/identifying-mushrooms-and-plants/wild-garlic-impostors/

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. How this site is built.

Selected studies & references

ReviewImmunomodulatory effect of Allium sativum in type 2 diabetes mellitus source↗ (2025)
ReviewAllium sativum: A potential natural compound for NAFLD prevention and treatment source↗ (2023)
ReviewGarlic: A systematic review of the effects on cardiovascular diseases source↗ (2022)
ReviewChemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A Review source↗ (2020)
ReviewBioactive Compounds and Biological Functions of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) source↗ (2019)
ReviewThe effect of garlic on lipid profile and glucose parameters in diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis source↗ (2019)
ReviewA systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seed) on blood pressure source↗ (2016)
ReviewGarlic lowers blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, regulates serum cholesterol, and stimulates immunity: an updated meta-analysis and review source↗ (2016)

All 28 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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