Affiliation:
1. University of Bonn, Germany
2. University of North Bengal, India
Abstract
Garlic cultivation has been done in India since time immemorial and ingested in the Mediterranean and China as a flavour-enhancing spice. Various studies have shown immunomodulatory inducing properties in garlic (Allium sativum), with several proofs showing that it tends to have stimulatory and inhibitory effects on lymphocytes. Certain studies have also demonstrated garlic's therapeutic efficacy enhanced upon separating and eliminating parts causative of inflammatory cytokines. This plant belongs to clade: angiosperms, monocots; order: asparagales; family: liliaceae; subfamily: alliodeae; and genus: allium. The therapeutic effects can be attributed to the volatile oils, sugars, starch, mucilage, albumen, and components enhancing activity. Garlic has several attributes, such as its anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and cardiovascular properties and immunomodulatory effects. The mentioned list does not end as it also has several other uses. This chapter tries to encapsulate some of the pharmacological effects and properties of Allium sativum.