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Rasona Garlic

Allium sativum L.

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 nameAllium sativum L.
FamilyAmaryllidaceae (Alliaceae) · other entries in this family
OrderAsparagales
Also known asAllium sativum L., Rasona Garlic, RasonaGarlic
Pharmacopoeia statusWHO 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
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2856681 · Wikidata Q23400 · NCBI Taxonomy 4682
Names in other languages
Sanskritलशुनम् (laśunam), रसोनम् (rasonam)
Hindiलहसुन (lahasuna)
Tamilபூண்டு, வெள்ளைப்பூண்டு

Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I, LASUNA (Bulb) = Allium sativum Linn., Hindi: 'Lahasun'; Urdu 'Lahsan, Seer'.; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I, LASUNA (Bulb) = Allium sativum Linn., Sanskrit synonyms: 'Rasona, Yavanesta'; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I, LASUNA (Bulb) = Allium sativum Linn., Tamil: 'Vellaipoondu'; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I, monograph title LASUNA (Bulb) = Allium sativum Linn., with Sanskrit synonyms 'Rasona, Yavanesta'.; University of Madras Tamil Lexicon (via agarathi.com), பூண்டு: 'Garlic; உள்ளிப்பூடு'. Corroborated by API LASUNA, Tamil: 'Vellaipoondu' (வெள்ளைப்பூண்டு) for Allium sativum.. 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
  • 11Other clinical studies and reviews

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.

This entry and lasuna describe the same drug, Allium sativum, under different names. Both pages are kept because both names are in use, and each is cited as itself.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishRasona Garlic
Latin/BotanicalAllium sativum L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

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 effects by scavenging peroxynitrite radicals, inhibiting beta-amyloid aggregation, and enhancing endogenous 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. Clinical studies have reported reductions in blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and platelet aggregation.
  • Krimighna (antimicrobial): traditionally used in Ayurveda for antimicrobial applications. 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?

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

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 reviews11

  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. Chidike Ezeorba TP, Ezugwu AL, Chukwuma IF and others. 2024. Health-promoting properties of bioactive proteins and peptides of garlic (Allium sativum)Food chemistry. PMID 37801762 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137632
  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. Ahangar-Sirous R, Poudineh M, Ansari A and others. 2022. Pharmacotherapeutic Potential of Garlic in Age-Related Neurological DisordersCNS & neurological disorders drug targets. PMID 34579639 · doi:10.2174/1871527320666210927101257
  6. Valenzuela-Gutiérrez R, Lago-Lestón A, Vargas-Albores F and others. 2021. Exploring the garlic (Allium sativum) properties for fish aquacultureFish physiology and biochemistry. PMID 34164770 · doi:10.1007/s10695-021-00952-7
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Capasso A. 2013. Antioxidant action and therapeutic efficacy of Allium sativum LMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 23292331 · doi:10.3390/molecules18010690

Reference lists that include it

Quercetin, Saponins

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

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.