Uses of Garlic Allicin

Garlic is an herb frequently used in cooking and medicine. It's main medicinal compound---allicin---is thought to have healing properties and is also responsible for garlic's distinctive odor. Garlic has been used for centuries as a treatment for fungal and bacterial infections due to its high sulfur content. It may also be beneficial in people with heart disease and inflammatory conditions. Understanding the potential uses of garlic and its active compound, allicin, allows consumers to get the most benefit from the herb.

Anti-Fungal

Garlic is a well-known herbal treatment for fungal infections. According to the Oxford Journals, allicin is effective against several types of fungi in vitro, including Aspergillus fumigatus---the mold that causes aspergillosis---a potentially deadly lung infection. It also kills Candida yeast, which is a major cause of most yeast infections.
Garlic oil can also be applied topically or taken orally to promote healing. In some cases, simultaneous topical application and internal use may produce the best results against fungal infection.

Heart Health

Garlic is frequently promoted as a supplement for heart disease. Its ability to reduce platelet aggregation can be useful for preventing blood clots, which are a major cause of certain types of heart attack and stroke. According to the American Heart Association, regular use of garlic may lead to modest reductions in triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which are often elevated in people with the heart disease.
Because it can thin the blood, garlic should be used with caution in people taking other blood thinners like Coumadin and clopidogrel---two common anti-coagulants.

Anti-Bacterial

Sulfa drug antibiotics are used to treat certain types of bacterial infections. Like sulfa drugs, garlic contains sulfur compounds that can be useful for killing harmful microbes. According to the National Institutes of Health, garlic extracts may be effective in treating cryptococcal meningitis when combined with amphotericin B.
Garlic is thought to produce its antibiotic effects by inhibiting enzymes that contain thiol in bacteria.
Taken for prolonged periods, garlic may cause imbalances in gastrointestinal flora, resulting in side effects such as gas and bloating. People with digestive disorders like GERD should start with smaller doses and ask a doctor before supplementing with garlic.

Wound Healing

Applied topically, garlic can be helpful for wound healing. A study by Dr. Ron Cutler and colleagues featured in the March 19, 2004 issue of The British Journal of Biomedical Science states that garlic is an effective treatment for wounds caused by MRSA bacteria, which are resistant to most antibiotics. While it can take a while to work---up to 18 weeks in some cases---garlic may be beneficial for treating hard-to-heal skin wounds involving MRSA bacteria.