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Lasuna

Allium sativum L.

Lasuna (Allium sativum L.) is a plant drug, also called Lasunam, Rasona and Yavanesta, from the Amaryllidaceae (formerly Liliaceae/Alliaceae) family. WHO monograph on Allium sativum exists covering quality, safety, and efficacy; recognized in multiple national pharmacopoeias worldwide; WHO Essential Medicines Library references garlic preparations.

Key facts
Botanical nameAllium sativum L.
FamilyAmaryllidaceae (formerly Liliaceae/Alliaceae) · other entries in this family
OrderAsparagales
Pharmacopoeia statusWHO monograph on Allium sativum exists covering quality, safety, and efficacy; recognized in multiple national pharmacopoeias worldwide; WHO Essential Medicines Library references garlic preparations
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2856681 · Wikidata Q23400 · NCBI Taxonomy 4682
Names in other languages
Sanskritलशुनम् (laśunam), रसोन (rasona), Yavanesta
Hindiलहसुन (lahasuna)
EnglishGarlic
TamilVellaipoondu
MalayalamNelluthulli, Vellulli
TeluguTellagadda, Tellapya, Vellulli
KannadaBulluci
MarathiLasun
BengaliLasun
GujaratiLasan
UrduLahsan, Seer
PunjabiLasan
AssameseMaharu

Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Ayurvedic dravyaguna literature treat Rasona as the official Sanskrit name of Allium sativum alongside Lasuna; India Flora Online (IISc) and Biodiversity of India give Sanskrit "rasona" for the species.; Flowers of India / "Names of Plants in India" Garlic page gives Hindi "लहसुन Lahsun, लहसन Lahsan, लस्सन Lassan" and Tamil "பூண்டு Poondu" for Allium sativum; Biodiversity of India and India Flora Online (IISc) give the same Hindi forms.; The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India carries the monograph "Lasuna" (garlic bulb) for Allium sativum Linn.; Ayurveda360's Dravyaguna reference entry "Lashuna (लशुन) - Allium sativum" collates the classical Caraka/Suśruta citations under that name.. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2013 to 2025, every one with a DOI.

  • 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • 9Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 2Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishGarlic
Latin/BotanicalAllium sativum L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate)
  • Diallyl disulfide (DADS)
  • Diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
  • Ajoene (E- and Z- forms)
  • S-allyl cysteine (SAC)
  • Alliin (S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide)
  • Selenium (micronutrient)
  • Quercetin

How does it work?

  • Proposed cardiovascular mechanisms: Allicin and ajoene inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce LDL oxidation, and enhance NO-mediated vasodilation; DADS activates Nrf2-dependent antioxidant pathways
  • Antimicrobial: Allicin disrupts bacterial membranes and inhibits thiol-dependent enzymes; studies have reported activity against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and H. pylori
  • Reported anticancer mechanisms: DATS and ajoene induce G2/M cell cycle arrest, activate intrinsic apoptotic pathway, and inhibit angiogenesis through VEGF suppression

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Cardiovascular use (Hridya, Raktachapa-hara): traditionally used for the heart and blood pressure. Clinical studies have reported reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol, and platelet aggregation.
  • Antimicrobial use (Krimighna): traditionally used against infections. Studies have reported activity against a broad range of pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria (MRSA).
  • Antidiabetic use: traditionally used in this role. Clinical studies in people with type 2 diabetes have reported improved insulin sensitivity and lower fasting blood glucose.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally safe at culinary doses; concentrated supplements may increase bleeding risk due to antiplatelet effects; caution with anticoagulants (warfarin), antiplatelet drugs, and pre-surgery
  • May cause GI irritation, heartburn, body odor, and halitosis; allergic contact dermatitis possible; WHO has established safety profile but notes drug interaction potential

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Capsules (enteric-coated), Softgel capsules (oil-based), Tablets, Svarasa (fresh juice), Ksheerapaka (milk decoction), Aged garlic extract capsules, Paste

Standard Dosage: 2-5 g fresh bulb per day; 500-1500 mg standardized extract daily; 2-5 mL garlic oil; 300-600 mg aged garlic extract twice daily

Optimal Timing: With meals to reduce GI irritation; evening dosing may be preferred for cardiovascular effects due to nocturnal blood pressure dipping

Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers. Protect from moisture. Enteric-coated products should be kept in blister packaging with desiccant. Garlic oil capsules require nitrogen flushing to prevent oxidation. Fresh preparations require refrigeration at 2-8 deg C.

Marker Compounds: Alliin, Allicin, S-allylcysteine (SAC), Diallyl disulfide (DADS), Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), Ajoene, Allyl methyl sulfide

Synergistic Combinations

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. Imaizumi VM, Laurindo LF, Manzan B and others. 2023. Garlic: A systematic review of the effects on cardiovascular diseasesCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 35193446 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2043821

Other clinical studies and reviews9

  1. Jain M, Patil N, Mohammed A and others. 2025. Valorization of garlic (Allium sativum L.) byproducts: Bioactive compounds, biological properties, and applicationsJournal of food science. PMID 40135462 · doi:10.1111/1750-3841.70152
  2. El-Saadony MT, Saad AM, Korma SA and others. 2024. Garlic bioactive substances and their therapeutic applications for improving human health: a comprehensive reviewFrontiers in immunology. PMID 38915405 · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1277074
  3. Jiang Y, Yue R, Liu G and others. 2024. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in diabetes and its complications: Recent advances in mechanisms of actionCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 36503329 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2153793
  4. Tudu CK, Dutta T, Ghorai M and others. 2022. Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of garlic (Allium sativum), a storehouse of diverse phytochemicals: A review of research from the last decade focusing on health and nutritional implicationsFrontiers in nutrition. PMID 36386956 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.929554
  5. El-Saber Batiha G, Magdy Beshbishy A, G Wasef L and others. 2020. Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A ReviewNutrients. PMID 32213941 · doi:10.3390/nu12030872
  6. Shang A, Cao SY, Xu XY and others. 2019. Bioactive Compounds and Biological Functions of Garlic (Allium sativum L.)Foods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 31284512 · doi:10.3390/foods8070246
  7. Moutia M, Habti N, Badou A. 2018. In Vitro and In Vivo Immunomodulator Activities of Allium sativum LEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 30008785 · doi:10.1155/2018/4984659
  8. Foroutan-Rad M, Tappeh KH, Khademvatan S. 2017. Antileishmanial and Immunomodulatory Activity of Allium sativum (Garlic): A ReviewJournal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine. PMID 26721553 · doi:10.1177/2156587215623126
  9. Capasso A. 2013. Antioxidant action and therapeutic efficacy of Allium sativum LMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 23292331 · doi:10.3390/molecules18010690

Laboratory and animal studies2

  1. Santos-Álvarez JC, Velázquez-Enríquez JM, Reyes-Jiménez E and others. 2024. Allium sativum nanovesicles exhibit anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activity in a bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis modelMolecular biology reports. PMID 39560703 · doi:10.1007/s11033-024-10104-8
  2. Memon AR, Rajput MA, Rizwan F and others. 2023. Effect of Allium sativum and Olea europaea on serum lipids in patients with diabetes mellitusJournal of Taibah University Medical Sciences. PMID 37102080 · doi:10.1016/j.jtumed.2022.09.007

Reference lists that include it

Quercetin

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

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