Garlic comes as a plump package of individual cloves that once cut, reek of its beneficial properties. Garlic has been used for thousands of years as an antiseptic and healing agent. The Food and Drug Administration classifies garlic as a low toxicity herb and Generally Recognized As Safe, or GRAS. However, you should be aware of possible side effects, and discuss its use as a complementary dietary supplement with your doctor if you are taking medications.
Social Side Effects
Eating more fresh garlic per day than one or two cloves, as recommended by Ellen Tattelman in "American Family Physician," results in a garlic smell on the breath as well as a pungent aroma exuded through the skin. Recent research, published by Areerat Hansanugrum, M.S., et al. in the "Journal of Food Science" in 2010, suggests that whole milk is an effective counter to garlic breath, particularly when taken with the garlic. However, if you're taking large amounts of garlic for its documented beneficial effects, M. Koseoglu, et al. suggested in "Phytotherapy Research" in 2010 that garlic tablets might be preferable.
Gastrointestinal Effects
Eating raw garlic has been shown to cause gastrointestinal discomfort as well as flatus, nausea, and possibly, diarrhea. Mayoclinic.com and the University of Maryland Medical Center reinforce these findings, with Steven D. Ehrlich at Maryland citing rarer cases of headaches and migraines, allergic and asthmatic reactions, lethargy, muscular aches and vertigo.
Skin
Ehrlich cites research that shows freshly cut garlic can burn skin, and that if you handle fresh garlic frequently, you might experience rashes or burns. Jesse Lachter et al. in "Military Medicine," cite two patients who sustained second-degree burns as a result of using raw garlic as a poultice, and the Langone Medical Center at New York University found examples of blistering and third-degree burns caused by raw garlic on skin.
Contraindications
Care is needed when taking garlic if you use medications such as warfarin for its blood thinning properties, or you are under treatment with protease inhibitors included in human immunodeficiency virus treatments. Tattelman et al. suggest that garlic should be excluded from the diet seven to 10 days before surgery to prevent clotting delay or any reactions with anticoagulant therapy that may be prescribed. Discuss your diet and any complementary herbal preparations with your prescribing physician to prevent your medication from being compromised and losing its effectiveness.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Listing of Food Additive Status Part I -- Garlic
- "American Family Physician"; Health Effects of Garlic ; Ellen Tattelman, M.D., July 2005
- "Journal of Food Science"; Effect of Milk on the Deodorization of Malodorous Breath After Garlic Ingestion; Areerat Hansanugrum, M.S., et al.; August 2010
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Effects of Acute and Subacute Garlic Supplement Administration on Serum Total Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Parameters in Healthy Volunteers; M. Koseoglu, et al.; March 2010
- MayoClinic.org; Drugs and Supplements; High Cholesterol; Cholesterol-lowering Supplements: Lower Your Numbers Without Prescription Medication; July 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Complementary Medicine; Garlic; Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D.; November 2008
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