Lasuna
(Allium sativum Linn.)
Nepali name: Lasuna
Sanskrit name: Rasona/Lasuna
Botanical name: Allium sativum Linn
English name: Garlic
Introduction.
This is one of the most commonly used herbs in Nepal
and many other parts of the world. It occurs as
a sub-globular, compound bulb, grayish-white, 4
to 6 cm in diameter with several cloves. It has
wiry roots on the underside and short, sub-cylindrical
out growth on the upper surface.
Parts used:
whole parts
Chemical
Constituent
In 1948, Stoll and Seeback isolated the
active principles of garlic in the pure crystalline
form called alliin. Alliin is a precursor of a highly
bactericidal substance, allicin which is formed
by the decomposition of alliin along with pyruvic
acid and ammonia in the presence of garlic constitutional
enzyme alliinase.
Alliin Allicin + Pyruvic Acid + Ammonia.
Whenever any part of the garlic is damaged, the
above reaction occurs and forms allicin which has
the characteristic odour of garlic.
Besides this, a number of other antibiotic principles
have also been isolated, namely, allistatin I, allistatin
II (Datta et al, 1948) and garlicin (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk,
1962).
Chemical composition of garlic
expressed in gram per 100gram.
Water = 62.20
Protein = 6.3
Fat = 00.1
Carbohydrates = 29
Volatile oils =01
Calcium = 1.3mg
Phosphorus = 1mg
Iron = 3017 mg
Zinc = 3.4mg
Vitamin C = 13mg
Nitrogen contents
Amino acids = almost all amino acids are present.
Tuberoholoside = 10
Medicinal
Value of Garlic
To give a scientific basis for the ancient
claims regarding the therapeutic efficacy of garlic
in various diseases and disorders, a large number
of experiments have been carried out in different
experimental models which are found to be of value.
These are like-
- Cancer (Weisberger, Pensky and
Hartwell)
- Diabetes (Laland and Haverevold)
- Hypertension (Loeper and De Bray)
- Arteriosclerosis ( Watt and Breyer-Brandwilk)
- Angina pectoris (Fortunatov)
- Chronic Colitis and Gastritis (Fortunatov)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Helminthiasis (Rico, Vinson)
- Amoebiasis and other protozoal infections ( Watt
and Breyer-Brandwilk)
- Bacterial and Fungal infections (Datta, et al
, Dubrova)
Medicinal
Uses of Garlic
1. In Gastro-intestinal Tract Disorders:-
Carminative (stops gas formation in the GIT), antiflatulent,
appetiser, gastric stimulant, digestive, in atonic
dyspepsia, gastrointestinal catarrh (inflammation
of mucus membrane), piles and others.
2. In Respiratory Tract Disorders
Expectorant in bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pulmonary
phthisis (wasting of the body), pulmonary tuberculosis,
laryngeal tuberculosis, gangrene of lung, whooping
cough.
3. Others
Anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, diuretic and febrifuge,
rubefacient, counterirritant, antiseptic, anti-rheumatic,
anti-tumor, emmenagogue aphrodisiac, in anemia,
coryza, cough, dysmenorrhea, weak heart and skin
diseases.
