Garlic (Allium sativum) for disease prevention

Abstract

Garlic has been used for more than 4 000 years in traditional medicine against a variety of conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and infections. Claims of its healing properties are being confirmed when subjected to scientific scrutiny. Garlic's value in preventing cardiovascular disease has been acclaimed by several research groups. That it may provide protection against cancer, as supported by experimental data on animals and some epidemiological studies, is a possibility that needs to be fully explored. As a natural antibiotic, it has been found effective against several micro-organisms.