Garlic









Garlic


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
Garlic has many uses, including support for individuals with high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, certain types of infections, and circulation problems.
How does it work?
Garlic has at least two sulfur-containing chemicals that alter cholesterol production by the liver. It has also been shown to improve blood glucose control through a direct effect on insulin. Its benefit in circulatory problems is most likely due to garlic's ability to reduce platelet stickiness. Garlic also appears to have bacteria and fungus-fighting properties.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • Take this product at a similar time every day.
  • Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • Do not use if you have active bleeding (for example, a bleeding ulcer). Use caution in bleeding disorders/history of bleeding. Potential interaction with medications and natural products that thin the blood, such as anticoagulants (warfarin), aspirin, antiplatelet agents (ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, ginger, vitamin E, NSAIDs (ibuprofen), and others.
  • Stop using this product 14 days prior to dental or surgical procedures.
  • You may bleed easily. Be careful to avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Use with caution if you are taking antiarrhythmic medications or cardiac glycoside medications.
  • Use with caution if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use with caution if you have diabetes. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Keep hard candies, liquid glucose, or milk on hand for low blood sugars.
  • Use caution if you have low blood pressure or are taking a medicine to lower your blood pressure. Talk with you healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • Mouth sores. Frequent mouth care with a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing mouth may help.
  • Belly pain and cramps.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum , or Lactobacillus acidophilus may help.
What should I monitor?
  • Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.
  • Watch for low blood sugar. This can cause anger, shaking, rapid heartbeats, confusion, and sweating.
  • Check blood pressure regularly.
  • Check prothrombin time/INR. Talk with your healthcare provider.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider on a regular basis.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • Unusual bruising and bleeding.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Bulb
Dosage forms
Oral
Drug interactions
Anticoagulants, aspirin and aspirin-containing products, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, others), antiplatelet agents, antihypertensives, insulin, oral hypoglycemics
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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