Garlic

LASHUNA: AN AYURVEDIC BOON FOR NATURAL CURENirmala Chandrabhanji Apaturkar1, Kiran Deshbhratar2, M.N.Suryawanshi3

1Senior Research Fellow, 2Research Officer, Scientist-3, 3Assistant Director InchargeAyurveda Mental Health Research Institute, KDK College Road, Nandanvan, Nagpur,

Maharashtra, India.

INTRODUCTIONGarlic (Allium sativum) has played an

important dietary as well as medicinal role inhuman history.It has more than 45 specieswhich are used as medicine in different partsof the globe right from Siberia to tropicalcountries like India. Depending upon the geo-graphical condition, its colour and taste varies.But all the therapeutically useful species ofthis plant have the characteristic odour of gar-lic. Ayurvedic texts are replete with referencesto its therapeutic excellence. This plant is ex-tensively used as medicine all over the world.In spite of its therapeutic excellence for whichit is compared to ambrosia, as a common in-gredient of food, it is not held in high esteemin smruti Shastas (text on religious rites), per-haps, because of its bad odour and sex stimu-lating property. Manu Samhita which is one ofthe premier Smruti Shastras of India, hastreated this as abhakshya( a thing which

should not be eaten).Even though its use ispermitted with reservation for common men,for Brahmins and those who are engaged inspiritual practices, it is strictly prohibited.Yogic classics have strict instructions not touse this for food because it stimulates passionand emotion, which are the attributes of rajasand which go against satva-guna.

This plant, which is of great medicalimportance, takes place inside many foods,especially meat ones due to its sharp odour,appetizer property and bitter taste and givesflavour to them. Garlic, its calorie value is140, has 63.8 g water, 28.2 g carbohydrate, 5.3g protein, 0.2 g oil and 11 g cellulose in its100 g (Baytop, 1999; Kutevin and Turkes,1987). Garlic can be consumed as fresh andhas also its pills, capsules and extracts. While,it is safe, when taken in careful amounts, it canlacerate stomach, when consumed in excessive

Review Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091

ABSTRACTIn Sanskrit, garlic is commonly known as lasuna or rasona. The species that is commonly

available in India is botanically known as Allium sativum. Apart from its medical use, it is com-monly used as a condiment in the kitchens of Indian houses. As a medicine, it has a significant po-sition. It has many therapeutic properties like Anti-inflamatory, Gastro-protective, Anti-cancerous,anti-oxidant and skin glow enhancing etc. Garlics antidiabetic, antibiotic and perhaps anticancereffects are well-accepted world over because of the many of scientific literature supporting theseeffects. Garlic also has hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and antihelmentic effect. The other pharma-cological effect which required more attention of researcher includes the anticoagulant, anti in-flammatory, immunomodulatory and wound healing action of garlic. The wide range of Garlic,health benefits come mainly from its main ingredient, Allicine. This widely researched componentof garlic is highly therapeutic and is used in various drugs and pharmaceutics. This article brieflyreviews the pharmacological and various therapeutic aspect of garlic.Key words: Lasuna, Allium sativum, Garlic.



Maharashtra, India.










Maharashtra, India.








Nirmala Chandrabhanji Apaturkar et al: Lashuna: An Ayurvedic Boon For Natural Cure

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amount. Garlic, with >200 chemical sub-stances in its body, has the capacity of protect-ing human body against many illnesses. (Ayazand Alpsoy, 2007).This great bulb has a lot of benefits, becauseno other plant has been held out for so long asa cure for so many human ailments. That'swhy garlic has been considered as the "Won-der Drug".Family- Rasona kula [Liliaceae].Latin name: Allium sativum. Linn.Regional names Marathi - Lasun.Hindi - Lahasuna.Guj. - Lasan,Tam. - Vella pundu.

Telgu - Velluli,Mal. - Velluli.Eng. - Garlic.

SYNONYMS: In ancient Indian medicaltexts, several synonyms of this drug are fur-nished. Some of them indicate botanical char-acteristics and some the therapeutic propertiesof this plant.

SYNONYMS IMPLICATIONS OF THESE TERMS

Rasona, Rasuna, Rasonaka, Lasunana Which is short of one taste(sour)Ugragandha Having strong odour

Mahoushadha Having great medicinal value

Mlecchakanda , Yavaneshta A bulb liked by yavanasMahakanda, Sthulakanda Having a big bulbVatari Which alleviates vayuDirghapatrakka, Pruthucchanda Having long thick leavesSikhimula, Sikhakanda Having branched bulbJugupsita Which is hated by saintsCLASSIFICATION:SAMHITA& NIGHANTU VARGAAstang Hridya Rasayana kalpa

Bhavaprakash Haritkyadi vargaKaiyadev Nighantu Aushadhi VargaKasyapa samhita Rasayana kalpaNighantu Aadarsh Lashunadi varga

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:A scapigerous herb with underground

bulb, bulbs 2-4 cm in diameter with manyfleshy, creamy, ovoid bulblets or cloves hav-ing peculiar alliaceous pun-gent odour, bulbscovered by outer white thin scales. Leaves 20-40 cm long, flat, linear, hol-low. Leaf sheaths

half as long as blades, sheathing the lower halfof stem. Scopes 60cm long, slender, smooth,shining. Flowers are small, white in roundedterminal umbels, enclosed in membranousspathaceous bracts. Capsule is small.Flowering and Fruiting: February- April



It is cultivated throughout India.CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Steameddistillation of crushed fresh bulbs yields 0.1-3.6% of a volatile oil some sulphur-containingcompounds that make up this oil are thought tobe responsible for most of garlic's pharmacol-ogical properties. Allicin - Natural antibiotic - fights bacte-

ria, mainly responsible for pungent odor.When garlic cells are "injured," (i.e.cut,crushed, etc.) the enzyme alliinase con-verts alliin contained in raw garlic to alli-cin the garlic produces allicin to protectitself from bacteria & other disease-causing organisms. Extremely unstable &decomposes rapidly at room temperature

(half-life only slightly more than a fewhours)

Allicinase - Inactivated by heat cookedgarlic does not have as strong an odor asraw garlic (nor nearly as powerful physio-logical effects)

Ajoene - Decreases blood cell clumping. Selenium - Antioxidant contained in high

quantities in garlic. Antioxidants fight oxi-dation & free radicals inside the body thatwear out the body & may lead to cancer

Saponins - Lowers blood pressure, de-creasing chance of stroke

Fructans - May stimulate the immune sys-tem.

AYURVEDIC PHARMACOLOGY OFRASONA:

Rasa Guna Virya VipakaPancharasa, mainly tikta and madhur.Different parts have dufferent tastes.

Snigdha, tikshna, pich-chila, guru, sara; Ushna Katu

RASA ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES:

PART OF RASONA RASA ACCORDING TOBHAVAPRAKASHACCORDING TO KASHYAPASAMHITA

In the root of this plant Pungent Sweet and PungentIn the leaf of the plant Bitter taste AstringentIn the stem of the plant Astringent Saline and BitterIn the tip of the its stem Saline -In the seed of the plant Sweet PungentIn the bulb of the plant - Saline taste

USES OF GARLIC:Digestive system:It should be used in low fire, tastelessness, in-digestion, constipation, pain, worms andKapha - Vata diseases due to condenseddoshas, being fire stimulant, digestive and an-algesic due to pungent and hot qualities, laxa-tive due to oily and heavy qualities and liverstimulant and wormicidal due to tastes. Shouldbe used in Kapha - Vata piles being laxative,anti-pruritic and anti-spasmodic as it is liverstimulant and removes stasis in the portal cir-culation should not be used in haemorrhoids.

Kapha aggravation caused in stomach causeslow fire, indigestion and spasm due to Kaphacovered samanavayu. Rasona baked with gheeeliminates Kapha and causes onward move-ment of samana vayu to give relief. Kapha-Vata condensation is eliminated by removingaccumulated Kapha and causing Vata onwardmovement by the use of rasona medicatedmilk. Rasona medicated buttermilk is used indiarrhoea, cholera, sprue and colitis to pacifysamana vayu.Water metabolism:



Generalised Edema caused by lateral move-ment of vitiated micro wastes and Kapha byaggravated vyanavayu is eliminated by the useof rasona wich removes vitiated micro wastesand pacifies vyana.Respiratory system:It should be used in cough, asthma, hoarsenessof voice, rhinitis,tuberculosis and hiccups tocause Kapha liquefaction and expectoration byits oily, penetrating qualities. The oil preventsthe growth of tuberculosis bacteria. Medicatedmilk should be used in Chest trauma (inter-nal/external) to heal the cavity. Rasona causesprana onward movement and pacification inVata-Kapha diseases of the chest. Rasona andpippali gives immediate relief in rhinitis asso-ciated with tuberculosis. It should be used asdiet and a garland made of it be worn by child-ren to pacify dormant Kapha present in thechest.Circulatory system:It stimulates Heart and circulation due to itshot and penetrating qualities and eliminatesede-ma. It pacifies Vata and Kapha by its hotand penetrating qualities and helps nourish-ment of heart and increases its strength.Hypertension:Accumulation of vitiated meda and Kapha inthe vascular walls is cleared by rasona andthus, it reduces blood pressure by reducingperipheral resistance. It digests meda also.Arteriosclerosis & Cholesterol:Numerous clinical trials have shown garlic tobe good for your heart by lowering total cho-lesterol and blood pressure. Garlic has theability to combat plaque formation in the arter-ies. Its ability to lower serum cholesterol in theblood can in turn reduce the risk of cardiovas-cular disease. Garlic lowers total cholesterol,LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) andtriglyce-rides. Garlic can not only prevent, butalso reverse the signs of arteriosclerosisRheumatoid arthritis -It digests ama circulating in the body andlodging in the joints. It pacifies vyanavayu and

re-moves joint edema and pain. Digstion ofrasa penetrated ama reduces fever also.Sciatica and similar diseases:In these diseases initially apana onwardmovement is carried out by dissolution ofKapha by its pungent taste and hot and pene-trating qualities and later on apana is pacifiedby hot and penetrating qualities. However, itshould not be used in Pitta covered apana.Skin disease:It should be used in kilasa, vicharchika,shvitra, etc.as it causes Digestion of skin pene-trated vitiated Kapha and pacifies vyanavayu.Complexion improvement - Bluish black pig-meatation appearing on the face due to ob-struction of channels caused by Kapha to themovement of udana is cleared by its juicegiven with ghee. It gives strength to bhraja-kapitta also.Nervous system:Vata diseases It removes obstruction of channels by its hotand penetrating qualities and causes onwardmovement and pacification of pranavayu andnourishes it. Hence, used in bell's palsy, pa-ralysis, monoplegia etc.Hysteria, Epilepsy: These are caused byweakness of intellect and memory. Causativetamas is removed by rasona which should beingested with Seasame oil.Coma: Its juice be given to arouse the patientby removing Kapha cover and causing vyanonward movement.Convulsions: They are produced by excitationof vyana. To pacify, its juice should be given.Rasona should be used after breakfast invyana diseases.Reproductive system:It should be used as shukra producing as itcauses shukra aggravation by its oily, stickyand heavy qualities and prevents prematureejaculation by pacifying vyanavayu. Its hotand penetrating qualities dilate decidual bloodvessels and hence it should be used in dys-menorrhoea as menstrual stimulator.



Urinary system:Should be used in Vata dysuria as diuretic andas antispasmodic as it acts as diuretic bystimulating kidney function by its hot andpenetrating qualities and by pacifying Vata.Nutrition and Oja aggravating:It eliminates strength & oja depletion by caus-ing shukra and oja aggravation and pacifiesVata.CLINICAL RESEARCHES & STUDIES:ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTSSmall studies have shown that garlic exertsantimicrobial activity against gram-positiveand gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, andparasites. Topical and dietary garlic tradition-ally has been used in the treatment of infec-tionsparticularly digestive, respiratory, andderma-tologic infectionsranging from diar-rhea and vaginitis to colds and warts, but fewgood clinical studies support this use.BEST RECOMMENDED IN:Rasona specially pacifies the Kapha Doshawhich makes it useful to regulate the bloodcho-lesterol levels and also removing toxinsfrom the body.Doses and Useful parts:Garlic bud paste 1 to 6 gms. Oil -1 to 2drops, Bulb. Oil.Mode of adminisration:Since rasona is devoid of sour tastes, it shouldbe ingested with buttermilk. Since wine is thebest sour stuff. Rasona should be ingested withwine, meat soup in Vata diseases.Contra-indications/precautions: Do not consume more than three tofour raw cloves of garlic a day. Patients having heart and other prob-lems should take medical advice before con-sum-ing it. It's best to avoid garlic before any sur-gery because it could probably disturb Anti-coa-gulants. If patient is on any medication, alwayscheck with doctor first before taking raw gar-lic.

Asthma patients should not use it as itworsens the symptoms of Asthma. Do not use in sensitive skin. Raw gar-lic can burn delicate skin! Do not use directlyon skin if skin is sensitive or susceptible torashes or other skin reactions without consult-ing doctor first. People who are or may be al-lergic to garlic or any of its sulfur compoundsshouldn't try direct garlic application on skintoo.SIDE-EFFECTS:Although, garlic is a natural Anti-biotic but avery small number of people have been knownto exhibit Hypersensitivity to garlic. Garlicallergy includes skin rash, temperature andhead-aches. Garlic intolerance could result inHeartburn or Flatulence.CLASSICAL PREPARATIONS OF RA-SONA:Lasuna yoga, Lasunadya taila, Lasuna ksheer-paka, Rasona kalka, Rasona sarpi, Rasonapanda, Lashunadi vati.

CONCLUSION:The use of herbal drugs is increasing. One ofthese plants used the most intensively andwide-spread is garlic. Fresh shape, powderstate and garlic oil has been effectively usedall around the world againGarlic, Allium sativum L. is a member of theAlliaceae family, has been widely recognizedas a valuable spice and a popular remedy forvarious ailments and physiological disorders.st bacterial, viral, mycotic and parasitic infec-tions.

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CORRESPONDING AUTHORDr. Nirmala Chandrabhanji ApaturkarSenior Research Fellow, Ayurveda MentalHealth Research Institute, KDK college Road,Nandanvan, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.Email: [email protected]

Source of support: NilConflict of interest: None Declared

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