Allium sativum (RASONA)

The term ‘Lasuna’ is more used than ‘Rasona’ by the Brihat Trayi. It is extensively described them for Vataroga Cikitsa and as Rasayana. However, it is not included in the ganas and vargas of Brihat Trayi. Its synonym Yavanika probably indicates that it is an exotic plant.

Vagbhata considered Lasuna as the best among the Vatahara dravyas. He emphasized the role of Lasuna Rasayana in the treatment of Vataroga. However it should not be administered in case of Pitta and Rakta vikaraas.

Bhavamishra forbidden the following while consuming garlic: Madya (alcohol), Matra (fish), Amla (sour substances), Aatapa (exposure to hot son), Vyayama (heavy exercise), Rosha (anger), Ati Niram (excessive intake of water), Payah (milk) and Guda (Jaggery).

Different Varieties– Kasyapa mentioned two varieties viz., Girija and K¦etraja meaning that garlic grown in the mountain areas and that cultivated in the plains.

Usually the Nighantus quoted two kinds of Lasuna viz., Lasuna (A. sativum) and Maha Kanda/Grinjana (A. ascalonium Linn.).

Botanical Description (A. sativum) – A bulbous herb, 60 cm high. Leaves– long, flat, acute, sheathing the lower half of stem. Flowering scape slender, smooth, shining; spathes long, beaked. Flowers– small, white, prolonged into leafy points.Flowers during winter. Distribution– Cultivated throughout India. Mainly in Ludhiana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, U.P. and Gujrat.

Major Chemical Constituents – Alliin; Carbohydrates (arabinose, galactose etc); vitamins (folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, vit.c); amino acids (arginine, asparagic acid, methionine etc.); enzymes; volatile compounds (allylalcohol, allylthiol, allylpropyl disulphide etc.); thioglycosides (scordine, scordinine A1, A2 & B etc.); prostaglandins A2, D2 E2 and F2;

Part Used– Bulb, oil

Dosage– Paste 3-6 g; oil 1-2 drops

Research –     

(1) Alliin was found to be useful clinically in the treatment of RA (N = 45). 32 patients had relief from symptoms. A change in the mucoprotein levels and ESR was observed (Sreenivasa murthy et al., 1962).

(2) Allisatin (200 mg/100 g/day) showed slight ighantuy activity against formalin-induced arthritis (Prasad et al., 1966).

(3) The alcoholic extract of bulbs showed anti-inflammatory activity against, carrageenin-induced rat hind paw oedema in albino rats (Bhakuni et al., 1969).

(4) The effect of the juice of garlic on glucose utilization was studies in rabbits by using GTT. The hypoglycaemic effect was compared with that of tolbutamide and control groups (on distilled water) – (Jain et al., 1973).

(5) Garlic juice and essential oil extract were found to have significant protective action against fat-induced increase in serum cholesterol and plasma fibrinogen and decrease in fibrinolytic activity as well as coagulation time (Bordia & Bansal, 1973; Bordia et al., 1974 b).

(6) Garlic caused marked improvement in systolic and diastolic arterial tension in 114 hypertensive and otheroscloratic patients. It had beneficial prophylactic action. It had definite bactericidal effect on pathogenic micro-organisms (Deut. Apoth. Ztg. 1966, 106, 1861).

(7) Extracts of leaves, stem and bulb produced a stimulating, followed by inhibitory, effect on the uterus of non-pregnant guinea pigs; conversely, it produced stimulating effect on uterus of guinea pigs (Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 1969, 19, 1).

(8) Blood cholesterol level was significantly decreased in all human subjects after two months of ingestion of garlic (Ind. J. Physiol. Pharmaeol. 1979, 23, 1979).

(9) Diallyl trisulphide showed antimicrobial activity (Chem. Abstr. 1981, 95, 86205a).

(10) Enhancement of phospholipid metabolism, an initial action caused by tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, inhibited by plant extract; it also suppressed the first stage of tumor promotion in 2-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis in vivo (Oncology 1989, 46, 277).

(11) Platelet adhesion to polycarbonate film surface was decreased by 0.05-0.5 ml garlic oil/ml of platelet-rich plasma; thus, extract inhibited platelet aggregation (Thranb. Res. 1985, 37, 489).

(12) Ajoene showed strong inhibition of platelet aggregation (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1986, 108, 7045).

(13) Allicin inhibited human platelet aggregation in vitro without affecting cyclooxygenase or thromboxane synthase activity or CAMP level (Agents Actions 1988, 25 182).

(14) 5-allylcysteine sulphoxide showed significant antidiabetic effect in alloxan-diabetic rats (Ind. J. Exp. Biol. 1992, 30, 523).