# Rasona Garlic

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/rasona-garlic/

> Rasona Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a plant drug, also called Lasunam, Rasonam and Lahasuna, from the Amaryllidaceae (Alliaceae) family. WHO monograph published for Bulbus Allii Sativi (garlic bulb) in WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants Vol.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Allium sativum L.
- **Family:** Amaryllidaceae (Alliaceae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** WHO monograph published for Bulbus Allii Sativi (garlic bulb) in WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants Vol. 1; listed in multiple national pharmacopoeias worldwide including British, European, and Indian Pharmacopoeia

## Names in the Indian languages

Every name form this project holds for this drug, with the script form first and the
transliteration after it. Sources per name are on the canonical page.

| Language | Names |
| --- | --- |
| Sanskrit | लशुनम् (laśunam), रसोनम् (rasonam) |
| Hindi | लहसुन (lahasuna) |
| Tamil | பூண்டு, வெள்ளைப்பூண்டு |

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Rasona Garlic |
| Latin/Botanical | *Allium sativum L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Allicin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#allicin) (diallyl thiosulfinate)
- [Alliin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alliin) (S-allylcysteine sulfoxide)
- Diallyl disulfide (DADS)
- Diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
- [Ajoene](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#ajoene) (E-ajoene, Z-ajoene)
- S-allylcysteine (SAC)
- Vinyldithiins
- [Selenium](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#selenium)
- [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)
- [Saponins](/reference/saponins/)

## How does it work?

- Allicin inhibits HMG-CoA reductase and fatty acid synthase, reducing hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis; also inhibits platelet aggregation through thromboxane A2 pathway suppression
- Diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS) induce cancer cell apoptosis through increased ROS generation, histone acetylation modulation, and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase
- S-allylcysteine (SAC) provides [neuroprotective](/reference/neuroprotective/) effects by scavenging peroxynitrite radicals, inhibiting beta-amyloid aggregation, and enhancing endogenous [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) enzyme expression in brain tissue

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

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

- Hridya (for the heart): traditionally used for the heart and as a [Rasayana](/reference/rasayana/). Clinical studies have reported reductions in blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and platelet aggregation.
- Krimighna (antimicrobial): traditionally used in Ayurveda for antimicrobial applications. [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity has been reported against a broad range of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.
- Rasayana (rejuvenating/immune-boosting): traditionally used as a rejuvenating herb. Clinical and preclinical studies have reported immunostimulant properties.

## What do recent studies show?

- El-Saadony MT, Saad AM, Korma SA and others 2024. [Garlic bioactive substances and their therapeutic applications for improving human health: a comprehensive review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38915405/). *Frontiers in immunology*. PMID [38915405](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38915405/) · [doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1277074](https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1277074)  
  Comprehensive review documenting allicin's role in cardiovascular protection, antioxidant effects through NADPH oxidase inhibition, and direct ROS scavenging within cells.
- 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 implications](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36386956/). *Frontiers in nutrition*. PMID [36386956](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36386956/) · [doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.929554](https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.929554)  
  Decade-long research review summarising reported antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, [anticancer](/reference/anticancer/), antimicrobial, [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/), and immunostimulant activities.
- Jain M, Patil N, Mohammed A and others 2025. [Valorization of garlic (Allium sativum L.) byproducts: Bioactive compounds, biological properties, and applications](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40135462/). *Journal of food science*. PMID [40135462](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40135462/) · [doi:10.1111/1750-3841.70152](https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.70152)  
  Garlic byproducts (leaves, stems, outer skin) contain significant bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, supporting waste-to-value applications.

## Recent safety updates

- Most common adverse effects are garlic breath and body odor; nausea and vomiting may occur at high doses; allergic reactions documented (contact dermatitis, urticaria, angioedema, rare anaphylaxis)
- Garlic may enhance anticoagulant effects of warfarin and increase bleeding risk; discontinue 7-10 days before surgery; may reduce efficacy of anti-HIV drugs (saquinavir)
- Fresh garlic applied topically under occlusive dressings can cause chemical burns; raw garlic consumption on empty stomach may cause gastrointestinal irritation; nursing mothers should note that garlic consumption modifies infant feeding behavior

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Fresh clove, Churna (powder), Capsule (oil-filled), Tablet, Enteric-coated tablet, Aged garlic extract (AGE) capsule, Soft gel, Rasona Ksheerapaka (milk decoction), Rasona Pinda, Syrup

**Standard Dosage:** 2-4 fresh cloves daily (4-8 g); 600-1200 mg dried garlic powder daily; 2.4-7.2 mg allicin potential daily; 600-2400 mg aged garlic extract daily

**Optimal Timing:** Fresh garlic: with meals (reduces GI irritation). Enteric-coated tablets: with meals for optimal intestinal allicin release. AGE capsules: with or without food. Rasona Ksheerapaka: at bedtime for Vata conditions.

**Storage:** Fresh garlic: cool (15-18 deg C), dry, ventilated. Powder: airtight, below 25 deg C, RH <40% (moisture activates alliinase prematurely). Enteric-coated products: blister packs, below 25 deg C. AGE: room temperature, protect from light. Essential oil: amber glass, tightly sealed, 15-25 deg C.

**Marker Compounds:** Alliin, Allicin (allicin potential), S-allylcysteine (SAC), Diallyl disulfide, Diallyl trisulfide, Ajoene, S-allylmercaptocysteine, Vinyl dithiins

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) ([Trikatu](/herb/trikatu/) combination with enhanced bioavailability)
- [Palandu](/herb/palandu/)/Onion (allium synergy for cardiovascular health)
- [Arjuna](/herb/arjuna/) ([cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/) combination)
- [Guggulu](/formulation/guggulu/) (lipid-lowering synergy)
- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) (anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial)
- [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) (immune modulation)

## Reference lists that include it

[Quercetin](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/quercetinquercetin/), [Saponins](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/saponins/)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/rasona-garlic/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.