|
Herbs & Supplements
Allium
Scientific Name: Garlic
Other Names: Allium sativum, Rustic Treacle, Stinking Rose
What side effects should I watch for?
No major side effects have been reported with the use of garlic in recommended amounts for food or as an herbal remedy. However, garlic does reduce the blood's ability to clot, so ingesting large amounts of it may cause excessive bleeding in combination with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Some cases of asthma have been reported in people who process garlic. Other case reports attribute allergic symptoms such as irritated eyes, runny nose, and itching skin to working with large amounts of garlic for extended times. In very rare instances, garlic allergy is thought to have caused sudden and serious swelling, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness.
Fresh garlic applied to the skin could result in blistering, chemical burns, or dermatitis. The chemicals that give garlic its smell may also irritate or burn the skin, especially when fresh garlic is allowed to stay on the skin for prolonged periods or when it is covered with a waterproof barrier such as a plastic bandage. Cases of serious burns have been reported by individuals who have no known sensitivities to garlic.
Other side effects associated with the oral use of garlic include:
- Bad breath
- Body odor
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Heartburn
- Mouth irritation
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Vomiting
|
Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
|
|
What side effects should I watch for? 
