There is extensive scientific literature on chemical, pharmacological, clinical, and epidemiological studies related to garlic.

In vitro studies establish its anti-bacterial, anti-mycotic, lipid-lowering, platelet aggregation inhibition, clotting, and bleeding time prolongation and increased fibrinolytic activity. It inhibits milk-clotting activity of papain and the amylolytic—activity of β-amylase.

In vivo animal studies demonstrate garlic’s ability to inhibit tumor formation and reduce blood pressure. Garlic powder, fresh garlic, aged garlic extract, and garlic oil is reported with anti aggregative, anti bacterial, anti mycotic, anti viral, larvicidal, and anti hepatotoxic activity. Ethanol extract of garlic is anti-spasmodic and it is anti-inflammatory due to its anti-prostaglandin activity.

The constituents, allicin and ajoene, are shown to bring about inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis and are also anti-atherosclerotic and anti-thrombotic.

Clinical studies on garlic have demonstrated its hypotensive, firinolytic, anti-atherosclerotic, and hypolipidaemic effect with respect to lowering of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. Clinically it is reported to relieve abdominal distress, flatulence, colic, and nausea and may be given prophylactically to prevent atherogenesis.

Several epidemiological studies correlate cancer prevention to garlic consumption especially with respect to colorectal and gastric cancers.

Marketed products

Traditional: lahsuna, sithadhi oil, tatir tel

Proprietary: appetionic vet, garlic pills, aged garlic extracts

Guggulu

Guggulu constitutes the oleo gum resin of Commiphora mukul (Hook ex Stocks) Engl. Syn: Commiphora wighti (Arn) Bhandari, Balsamodendron mukul, Family: Burseraceae, The plant is native to India and Pakistan and grows wild in dry rocky areas in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Assam. An yellowish oleo gum resin is secreted from the bark of the tree. First mentioned in Atharvana veda, it is also recorded in both Charaka and Susruta Samhitas and is an ancient plant grown exclusively for gum resin because of its medicinal value.

Common vernacular names

English : Indian Bdellium tree

Sanskrit: Kaushika, guggulu, Mahisaksha

Hindi: Guggal

Tamil: Gukkal, matsatchi kungiliyam

Telugu: Gukkulu, maishakshi