Often considered by some as a purely food-oriented herb, garlic has a generous history in medical Herbalism. Other than having its pungent taste and smell that some love and others hate, garlic is known for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and detoxifying properties.

Found as far back as pre-medieval medical texts, there are recipes found where garlic has been used historically for serious maladies such as sepsis and other severe infections. Even the first female physician Hildegard von Bingen mentions its many uses in the 9th century. Garlic was widely used in ancient Sumer, and thus is considered to be one of the most ancient herbal medicines.

Whether you love garlic, or hate it, this medicinal herb is a pungent and thorough healer.

Family:  Liliaceae
 
Parts Used: Bulb (Fresh)
 
Common Name: Garlic, Ajo, Allium
 
Actions:
Pungent                               Anti-Tumour                      Promotes Leucocytosis
Antiseptic                            Anti-Microbial                   Antibiotic
Anti-Bacterial                     Anti-Viral                             Anti-Fungal
Anti-Parasitic                     Anthelmintic                      Hypoglycemic
Anti-Diabetic                      Anti-Pyretic                        Diaphoretic
Anti-Histaminic                 Expectorant                       Detoxifier
Anti-Thrombotic               Anti-Coagulant                  Vasodilator
Hypotensive                      Hypolipidemic                   Fibrinolytic
Anti-Cholesterol               Anti-Antherosclerosis    Cholagogue
Aphrodisiac                        Antispasmodic                  Amoebicidal

Chemical Constituents:
Enzymes (allinase)
Volatile Oils (over 14 sulfur containing components including alliin, citral, geraniol, linalool, and phellandrene)
Nutrients (Vitamin B and Minerals)
Fiber
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Amino Acids (Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Asparagic Acid, Methionine, and Threonin)
Lipids
Prostaglandins

Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat:

• Hay fever
• Ear infections
• Catarrh deafness (plugged ears from pressure or stuffy nose)
• Tonsillitis
• Ear aches
• A clove placed in the mouth near an abscess will help remove the swelling and pain
• Four or five cloves of garlic infused in water, vinegar, or wine, makes an excellent wash for the scalp to stimulate hair growth or clear up dandruff
• Hoarseness
• Chronic inflammation of the tonsils

Integumentary System (Skin):

• Acne (topical)
• Boils (topical)
• Ringworm (topical)
• Fungal infections (topical)
• Psoriasis
• Wounds – “ The raw juice is expressed, diluted with water, and put on swabs of sterilized Sphagnum moss, which are applied to the wound. Where this treatment has been given, it has been proved that there have been no septic results, and the lives of thousands of men have been saved by it’s use” – MRS Grieve, in regard to its use during WWI
• To disperse hard swellings
• Scrofulous sores (pounded and employed as a poultice)
• Athletes foot (External)

Mental Health:

• Effects of Stress (anti-inflammatory)

 
Nervous System:

• Epilepsy – An infusion of the bruised bulbs, given before and after every meal, has been considered of good effect in epilepsy – MRS Grieve

 
Respiratory System:

• Specific for chronic bronchitis and bronchitis – Specific in the British Pharmacopoeia. Its properties have been attested to by modern experimental and clinical research.
• Colds
• Flus
• Whooping cough – “Bruised and mixed with lard, it has been proved to relieve whooping-cough if rubbed on the chest and between the shoulder-blades” – MRS Grieve
• Bronchial asthma
• Asthma by way of its histaminic action and reducing allergy related asthma

Digestive System:

• To stimulate bile and digestion of fats
• GIT catarrh
• Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections of the GIT
• Mucosal colitis
• Intestinal worms and parasites of the GIT
• Destroys foreign pathogens while supporting the positive gut flora of the intestine
• Gallstones
• Obesity
• Peptic ulcers
• Diarrhea (Essential Oil)
• Dysentery (Essential Oil)
• TB (Essential Oil)
• Hepatitis
• Garlic increases secretion from the mucosa to improve digestion and lubricate the passage of viscid mucus, stimulates internal metabolism, and kills bacteria through direct attack (like a sulfa drug) and by changing the environment in which they thrive – Matthew Wood
  
  

Excretory System:

• Pinworms (Humans and Pets)
• Constipation

 
Urinary/Renal System:

• Urinary tract infections

 
Endocrine System (Hormones):

• Diabetes Mellitus – (Do NOT use in place of diabetic medications). Garlic appears to have significant blood-glucose-lowering action. The active principles are believed to be the sulfur-containing compounds allyl propyl disulfide (APDS) and dially disulphide oxide (allicin), although other constituents such as flavonoids may play a role as well. Garlic has a wide range of additional well documented effects useful for the diabetic, including helping to improve blood glucose control, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and inhibit some of the factors associated with increased risk of vascular complications of diabetes such as increased fibrinogen levels.
  
  

Cardiovascular System:

• Reduces cholesterol
• Reduces triglycerides
• Fibrinolysis
• Reduces the thrombosis process
• High blood pressure
• High lipids
• Atherosclerosis
• Arteriosclerosis
• To protect from heart disease and age-related vascular change
• Promote blood flow in arterial vascular disease
  
  Circulatory System:
• To reduce the risk of strokes
  
  
• Immune/Lymphatic System:
• Increases white blood cells
• Helps reduce antioxidant damage
• Inhibits growth in some types of tumours
• Viral infections
• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections (including candida)
• Parasitic infections
• As part of some cancer therapies
• To assist in the detoxification of lead poisoning
• Cancer prevention (5 cloves/week) – Garlic consumption reduces colorectal cancer risk to 0.69 and stomach cancer to 0.53

Reproductive System:

• Candida and other vaginal infections (taken orally, do NOT use vaginally) – Garlic has demonstrated significant antifungal activity. In fact, its inhibition of candida in both animal and test tube studies has shown it to be more poteen than nystatin, gentian violet, and six other reputed antifungal agents. Chronic candidiasis requires a daily dose of at least 10mg allicin (a constituent in garlic) or a total allicin potential of 4,000mg. This amount is equal to approximately one clove (4g) of fresh garlic. Going beyond this dosage, even with odorless preparations, usually results in a detectable odor of garlic.

Musculoskeletal System:

• Rheumatism – A clove or two of garlic, pounded with honey and taken two or three nights successively, is good in rheumatism. – MRS Grieve

 
Specific Diseases/States/Infections/Viruses/Bacteria:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Silent inflammatory conditions/Silent inflammation
• It was used in the First World War for preventing gangrene and sepsis
• In olden days, Garlic was employed as a specific for leprosy
• Believed that it has most beneficial results in cases of smallpox, if cut small and applied to the soles of the feet in a linen cloth, renewed daily.
• Formed the principle ingredient in the “Four Thieves Vinegar,” which was adapted so successfully at Marseilles for protection against the plague when it prevailed there in 1722.

 
Combinations:

• Lack of Appetite “Someone who disdains eating should take sage, and a little less chervil, and a bit of garlic, and pound these together with vinegar, and so make a condiment. He should dip foods which he wishes to eat in it, and he will have an appetite for eating” – Hildegard von Bingen 9th Century Physician

The genus Sambucus numbers some thirty species distributed throught the world. It is a very propular medicininal plant and has been since ancient times. The elder tree has been known as a medicine chest in its own right with all parts of this amazing plant being used. This herb that assists the human body from head to toe and has a long standing presence in Herbalism.

Shakespeare makes reference to the elder tree in Cymbeline. And in medieval times the tree was a traditional symbol for mourning and green branches were commonly seen at grave sites during this time.

Elder berry has been shown to be very useful for colds and flus and has been shown in clinical studies to strengthen cell membranes which protects against viral penetration.
Furthermore, elder berry was shown to be effective against 10 strains of the influenza virus. It also reduced the duration of flu symptoms to 3 to 4 days in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.

​Parts Used:
Berries, flowers, (leaves, bark, inner bark, root – may contain some toxic principles, do not self-dose)
 
Family: Adoxaceae
 
Actions:
Anti-Inflammatory                          Diaphoretic                         Laxative
Diuretic (flowers)                            Anti-Rheumatic                 Anti-Viral
Alterative                                            Emollient                             Astringent
Nutritive – Contains Vitamin A, C, Calcium, Potassium, and Iron
Antiseptic                                            Mild Laxative                     Cooling (Flower)
Slightly Blood Thinning (Flower)  Soothing (Flower)          Stimulating (Flower)
Slightly Tonic (Flower)                   Anti-fungal (Leaves/Topical only)
Blood Building (Berries)
 
Chemical Constituents:
                Flavonoids (anti-inflammatory, immune stimulating)
                          - Rutin and Quercetin (Flowers)               
​              Triterpenes
                Volatile oils
                Sterols
                Tannins (Flowers)
                Mucilage (Berries and Flowers)
                Pectin
                Sugars
                Phenolic compounds
                Anthocyanins (Berry)
                Vit A, B, and C, Iron, Sugars

Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat:

• Sinusitis
• Hay Fever
• Rhinitis (gargle)
• Laryngitis (gargle)
• Catarrhal deafness
• Headache
• Inflamed Gums (Combine flowers with chamomile as a rinse)
• Migraine (Berry)
• Post Nasal Drip
• Allergic “shiners” under eyes

 
Kidneys/Urinary:

• Kidney issues
• Flowers stimulate urination (diuretic)
  
  

GIT/Digestion/Elimination:

• Flowers stimulate bowel movements (gentle laxative effect)
• Hemorrhoids (Flowers – Topically and as a Tea)
• Stomach spasms
• Intestinal colic
• Constipation

Skin:

• Teas made from the bark and leaves were used in washes for healing eczema, sores, and rashes (Topical Only).
• Skin Sores and Blisters (Flowers – Topically)
• Boils – topically to disperse heat and regulate blood flow
• Weeping and Dry Eczema
• Tinea (young leaves/topically)
• Ringworm (young leaves/topically)
• Scabies (young leaves/topically)
• Poison Ivy or Poison Oak (plant parts not specified – my hypothesis would be a topical wash from the bark)
  
  Liver/Gallbladder:
• Jaundice
• In Medieval times, known as holderbaum – “One who has jaundice should enter a sauna bath and place the leaves of this tree on the hot rocks. He should pour water over them, and then place a twig in pure wine, so that it takes its flavor. While in that bath, he should drink this in moderation. After he comes out of the bath, he should lie in bed, so that he sweats. He should do this often, and he will be better” – Hildegard von Bingen 9th Century Physician

​
Cardiovascular/Blood:

• Anemia (Berries)
• Elder flowers, used fresh, are a stimulating diaphoretic, bringing the blood to the surface, strengthening the periphery, and bringing forth a sweat in pale, bluish persons with weak peripheral circulation – Herbalist Matthew Wood
  
  

​Muscular/Skeletal:

• Rheumatic aches and pains (most commonly in a strong decoction - Berry)
• Rheumatism (Flowers as a strong tea)
• Arthritis (Flowers as a strong tea)
• Sciatica (Berry)
• Sprained wrists and ankles (blue and swollen in appearance)
• Tight tendons
  
  

Immune/Lymphatic System:

• Increases cytokine production
• Believed to inhibit the viral enzyme that weakens cellular membranes
• Tea made from the flowers is used to alleviate cold and flu symptoms and to reduce fevers (Traditional European)
• Swollen Spleen (Berries)

 
Reproductive System:

• Menstruation Problems
• Fibroids

 
Nervous System/Mental Health:

• Has been used in epilepsy – inner bark (not recommended)
• Palsy
• Neuralgias (Berry)
• Children with strong, sanguine personalities, who pay little attention to directions, or are classified as hyperactive of having ADD/ADHD
  
  

Respiratory System:

• Cold and Flu
• Asthma – strengthening the respiratory system
• Bronchitis
• General upper respiratory infections
• Stubborn coughs that remain after the illness is cleared (Berry)
• Spasmodic cough
• Especially spasmodic cough and croup in children
• Congestion of the upper respiratory tract with restriction of breathing

 
Specific Diseases/States/Infections/Viruses:

• Specific to shortening the severity and duration of colds and flus
• Constitutionally indicated in persons with dry, red, irritable skin of the cheeks with a blue cast across the nose or by the eyes, or prominent blue veins or blue, swollen edema.
• Opens all the tubes of the body (skin, lungs, colon, kidneys, blood vessels), improving oxygenation, blood flow, perspiration, and elimination by the colon and kidneys.
• Improves immunity in winter