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Allium sativum - L.

Common Name Garlic, Cultivated garlic
Family Alliaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards There have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of this species. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[76]. Avoid with anticlotting medication. Breastfeeding may worsen baby's colic. Avoid several weeks prior to surgery. Bad breath!! [301].
Habitats Not known in a truly wild situation.
Range C. Asia? Original habitat is obscure. An occasional garden escape in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (5 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (5 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Allium sativum Garlic, Cultivated garlic


Allium sativum Garlic, Cultivated garlic

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Allium sativum is a BULB growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Allium controversum. Allium longicuspis. Allium ophioscorodon. Porrum ophioscorodon.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Root  Seed
Edible Uses:

Bulb - raw or cooked. Widely used, especially in southern Europe, as a flavouring in a wide range of foods, both raw and cooked[244]. Garlic is a wonderfully nutritious and health giving addition to the diet, but it has a very strong flavour and so is mainly used in very small quantities as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods[2, 9, 14, 27, 33]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. The bulbs can be up to 6cm in diameter[200]. Leaves - raw or cooked. Chopped and used in salads, they are rather milder than the bulbs[200, K]. The Chinese often cultivate garlic especially for the leaves, these can be produced in the middle of winter in mild winters[206]. The flowering stems are used as a flavouring and are sometimes sold in Chinese shops[183]. The sprouted seed is added to salads[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Root (Dry weight)
  • 360 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 0%
  • Protein: 13.5g; Fat: 0.7g; Carbohydrate: 82g; Fibre: 3g; Ash: 3.5g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 65mg; Phosphorus: 400mg; Iron: 4.3mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 53mg; Potassium: 1250mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.7mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.2mg; Niacin: 1.25mg; B6: 0mg; C: 35mg;
  • Reference: [ 218]
  • Notes: The figures given here are the median of a range given in the report.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Antiasthmatic  Anticholesterolemic  Antiseptic  Antispasmodic  Cancer  Cholagogue  Diaphoretic  
Diuretic  Dysentery  Expectorant  Febrifuge  Hypoglycaemic  Stimulant  Stings  
Stomachic  Tonic  Vasodilator

Garlic has a very long folk history of use in a wide range of ailments, particularly ailments such as ringworm, Candida and vaginitis where its fungicidal, antiseptic, tonic and parasiticidal properties have proved of benefit[218]. The plant produces inhibitory effects on gram-negative germs of the typhoid-paratyphoid-enteritis group, indeed it possesses outstanding germicidal properties[240] and can keep amoebic dysentery at bay[244]. It is also said to have anticancer activity[218]. It has also been shown that garlic aids detoxification of chronic lead poisoning[244]. Daily use of garlic in the diet has been shown to have a very beneficial effect on the body, especially the blood system and the heart. For example, demographic studies suggest that garlic is responsible for the low incidence of arteriosclerosis in areas of Italy and Spain where consumption of the bulb is heavy[222]. Recent research has also indicated that garlic reduces glucose metabolism in diabetics, slows the development of arteriosclerosis and lowers the risk of further heart attacks in myocardial infarct patients[238, 254]. Externally, the expressed juice is an excellent antiseptic for treating wounds[244]. The fresh bulb is much more effective medicinally than stored bulbs, extended storage greatly reduces the anti-bacterial action[244]. The bulb is said to be anthelmintic, antiasthmatic, anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, stimulant, stings, stomachic, tonic, vasodilator[4, 9, 14, 21, 46, 165]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Allium sativum for arteriosclerosis, hypertension, high cholesterol levels (see [302] for critics of commission E).

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Adhesive  Fungicide  Repellent

The juice from the bulb is used as an insect repellent[7, 14]. It has a very strong smell and some people would prefer to be bitten[K]. The juice can also be applied to any stings in order to ease the pain[7, 14]. 3 - 4 tablespoons of chopped garlic and 2 tablespoons of grated soap can be infused in 1 litre of boiling water, allowed to cool and then used as an insecticide[201]. An excellent glue can be made from the juice[7], when this is spread on glass it enables a person to cut clean holes in the glass[7], The juice is also used as a glue in mending glass and china[46]. An extract of the plant can be used as a fungicide[18]. It is used in the treatment of blight and mould or fungal diseases of tomatoes and potatoes[201]. If a few cloves of garlic are spread amongst stored fruit, they will act to delay the fruit from rotting[7]. The growing plant is said to repel insects, rabbits and moles[14, 20].

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils but prefers a sunny position in a moist light well-drained soil[1, 14, 16, 37]. Dislikes very acid soils[206]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 to 8.3. The bulb is liable to rot if grown in a wet soil[27, 52]. Hardy to at least -10°c[206]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. Garlic has a very long history of use as a food and a medicine[244]. It was given to the Egyptian labourers when building the pyramids because it was believed to confer strength and protect from disease, it was also widely used by the Romans[244]. It is widely cultivated in most parts of the world for its edible bulb, which is used mainly as a flavouring in foods. There are a number of named varieties[200]. Bulb formation occurs in response to increasing daylength and temperature[200]. It is also influenced by the temperature at which the cloves were stored prior to planting. Cool storage at temperatures between 0 and 10°c will hasten subsequent bulb formation, storage at above 25°c will delay or prevent bulb formation[200, 206]. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes[18, 20, 54]. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other[201]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Plant out the cloves in late autumn for an early summer crop[33, 200]. They can also be planted in late winter to early spring though yields may not be so good. Plant the cloves with their noses just below the soil surface[200]. If the bulbs are left in the ground all year, they will often produce tender young leaves in the winter[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,Iran.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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123

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

kookie   Tue Mar 7 2006

Wow! it,s really nice. I,m glad reading and searcching in your topics. Keep up the good work always! you really help people and small ones like me in achieving their goals in life=)

chibuzor   Thu Nov 9 2006

Very nice!The page should be updated with more insight into the antimicrobiological activities of Allium sativum. And show pictures.

helene grace maligalig   Tue Sep 1 2009

this website is very useful especially for those who need to have investigatory projects. thank you.

Indonesia have a list plants for family medicine. The preparation name is jamu. Garlic and the premaration is generally used for kidney disorders, hypertension and cholesterol for family medicine in Indonesia.   Jun 24 2013 12:00AM

Garlic, Allium sativum L. Ingredients: tuber Efficacy : for fleas, amobiasis, antidote, antiseptic, antispasmodic, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, baterisida, cough, bronchitis, diaforetik, diarrhea, diphtheria, diuretic, dysentery, dysmenorrhea, dyspepsia, emenagoge, expectorant, gangrene, kidney, hematuria, hepatitis, hypertension, hysteria, cancer, carminative, leukemia, lupus, malaria mligna, oliguria, pulmonary, paratisida, coolers, pertussis, prevention, repellent, rheumatism, ringworm, sick (ear / stomach / tooth) scabies, sedative, tonic, trachoma , tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, vaginitis, vasodilatator. All of garlic can be used for medicine. To prevent any disease eating garlic in a delicious sauce.It is generally used for kidney disorders, hypertension and cholesterol: 9 cloves garlic, onions 9, celery 25 g, 3 pieces of cucumber, ginger, nutmeg grain, salt and bring to a boil 2 liters of water for 15 minutes and strain, drink 3 times a day cup, a cup prevention every day. Asthma, cough, bronchitis, diphtheria, rheumatism: 9 cloves garlic, ginger 100 g, 1 tablespoon pepper powder, 3 pieces of cinnamon, bete l 9 sheets, 15 leaves of jasmine, nutmeg 3, patikan kebo (euphorbia hirta) 15 trees, 5 branches of thorn spinach, salt, brown sugar 50 g, a cup lime and boil with 2 liters of water for 15 minutes and strain, drink a cup 3 times a day, every day a cup prevention. For hepatitis, cancer, leukemia, HIV and lupus; 15 cloves garlic, turmeric, lemongrass 9 tree, 25 clove seeds, 1 tablespoon pepper powder, betel 9 sheets, vinca 9 branches, nutmeg 5, 5 pieces noni, 25 leaves soursop, 25 jasmine leaves, 25 leaves of sugar apple, ginger 100 g, 1 breadfruit leaves, lime 2 cups water, salt, sugar, and boil 2 liters of water for 15 minutes and strain, a day 3-6 times 1 cup. Bloating, lump, pain spread or compress with grated 3 garlic cloves, nutmeg 3 seeds, a lemon, 5 tablespoons of coconut oil, 3 tablespoons lime stir until smooth
Indonesian herbal (jamu) preparation of garlic for family

   Nov 5 2013 12:00AM

I'm surprised that cultivation didn't mention mulching! Garlic LOVES to be mulched with leaf litter. In Northwest North America, the Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophylum -- I tried to make this italic, but Microsoft wouldn't let me) works particularly well. I dress it with some 5cm or so of horse manure, than cover it with leaves, which effectively suppress weed growth for a "plant and harvest" crop.

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