Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Rasona Garlic

Allium sativum L.

Rasona Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Amaryllidaceae (Alliaceae) family. WHO monograph published for Bulbus Allii Sativi (Garlic|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|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

This entry and lasuna describe the same drug, Allium sativum, under different names. Both pages are kept because both names are in use; the other is treated as the primary record for citation.

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?

  • Cardiovascular protection (Hridya) validated through extensive clinical evidence showing reduction of blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and platelet aggregation, confirming traditional Rasayana use
  • Antimicrobial activity validated against broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, supporting traditional use for Krimighna (antimicrobial) applications in Ayurveda
  • Immunostimulant properties confirmed through clinical and preclinical studies, supporting traditional use as Rasayana (rejuvenating/immune-boosting) herb

What do recent clinical trials 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

Bioavailability: Allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate) is unstable and rapidly converts to diallyl sulfides, ajoene, and vinyldithiins in GI tract. Alliin (stable precursor) is converted to allicin by alliinase enzyme upon crushing/chewing. Enteric-coated tablets protect alliinase from gastric acid inactivation, allowing intestinal allicin generation. Aged garlic extract (AGE) contains S-allylcysteine (SAC) with >95% oral bioavailability and excellent pharmacokinetic profile (Tmax 1 h, t1/2 6 h). Diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide from oil-macerated garlic have moderate bioavailability (40-60%).

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.

Standardized Extract: Dried garlic powder with allicin potential >1.3% (alliin >1%, verified alliinase activity). Aged garlic extract (AGE) with S-allylcysteine >1 mg/g. Garlic essential oil with diallyl disulfide >25%, diallyl trisulfide >15%.

Shelf Life: Fresh cloves: 3-6 months (whole bulb); Dried powder: 18-24 months; Enteric-coated tablets: 24-36 months; AGE capsules: 24-36 months; Essential oil: 24-36 months

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

Extraction Methods

  • Mechanical crushing and immediate stabilization for allicin products
  • Steam distillation for garlic essential oil (diallyl sulfides)
  • Aged garlic extract (AGE): aqueous-ethanol aging for 20+ months at room temperature
  • Oil maceration for garlic-in-oil preparations
  • Freeze-drying of crushed garlic for allicin-potential powder
  • Spray-drying with protective excipients

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

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