Rasona Patra
Allium sativum L. (leaves/greens)
Rasona Patra (Allium sativum L. (leaves/greens)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Amaryllidaceae (Alliaceae) family. WHO monograph for Bulbus Allii Sativi covers the bulb specifically; garlic leaves not separately monographed; traditional use of all aerial parts documented in Ayurvedic and Iranian traditional medicine.
| Botanical name | Allium sativum L. (leaves/greens) |
|---|---|
| Family | Amaryllidaceae (Alliaceae) · other entries in this family |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Also known as | Allium sativum L. (leaves/greens), Rasona Patra, RasonaPatra |
| Pharmacopoeia status | WHO monograph for Bulbus Allii Sativi covers the bulb specifically; garlic leaves not separately monographed; traditional use of all aerial parts documented in Ayurvedic and Iranian traditional medicine |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2856681 · Wikidata Q23400 · NCBI Taxonomy 4682 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Rasona Patra |
| Latin/Botanical | Allium sativum L. (leaves/greens) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Allicin (lower concentration than bulb)
- S-allylcysteine
- Diallyl sulfide
- Chlorophyll
- Beta-carotene
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Quercetin
- Kaempferol
- Selenium
How does it work?
- Organosulfur compounds in garlic leaves undergo enzymatic conversion (via alliinase) to bioactive thiosulfinates upon tissue damage, providing antimicrobial activity through sulfhydryl group oxidation in microbial enzymes
- Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol) in garlic leaves provide antioxidant protection through chelation of pro-oxidant transition metals and scavenging of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals
- Chlorophyll and beta-carotene in fresh garlic leaves contribute additional antioxidant and photoprotective effects not present in garlic bulb preparations
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Antimicrobial properties validated through demonstrated activity of organosulfur compounds against bacteria, fungi, and parasites, supporting traditional use of garlic leaf preparations for infections
- Antioxidant activity confirmed through phenolic and flavonoid content analysis, supporting traditional use of fresh garlic greens as a health-promoting food in Ayurvedic dietary recommendations
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Jain M, Patil N, Mohammed A and others 2025. Valorization of garlic (Allium sativum L.) byproducts: Bioactive compounds, biological properties, and applications. Journal of food science. PMID 40135462 · doi:10.1111/1750-3841.70152
Garlic leaves and stems contain significant bioactive sulfur compounds, flavonoids, and phenolic acids with demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, establishing their value as functional food ingredients. - El-Saber Batiha G, Magdy Beshbishy A, G Wasef L and others 2020. Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A Review. Nutrients. PMID 32213941 · doi:10.3390/nu12030872
All parts of garlic including leaves contain organosulfur compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, though bulb preparations have been more extensively studied. - Tesfaye A 2021. Revealing the Therapeutic Uses of Garlic (Allium sativum) and Its Potential for Drug Discovery. TheScientificWorldJournal. PMID 35002548 · doi:10.1155/2021/8817288
Garlic foliage, flowers, and cloves all contain active sulfur compounds utilized in traditional medicine systems globally for diverse therapeutic applications.
Recent safety updates
- Garlic leaves (green garlic/garlic scapes) are consumed as food worldwide with excellent safety profile; milder flavor and lower organosulfur content compared to bulb
- Similar precautions as garlic bulb apply but at lower intensity due to reduced allicin content: potential for mild GI irritation, garlic odor, and theoretical anticoagulant effects
- Contact dermatitis possible in sensitized individuals; cross-reactivity with other Allium species (onion, leek) documented
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Swarasa (fresh leaf juice), Churna (dried leaf powder), Capsule, Tablet, Lepa (paste), Topical preparation
Standard Dosage: 5-15 mL fresh leaf juice daily; 2-4 g dried leaf powder daily; 500 mg leaf extract twice daily; topical paste as needed
Bioavailability: Garlic leaf (green garlic/garlic scapes) contains allicin precursors at lower concentrations than bulb but has higher flavonoid and chlorophyll content. Allyl sulfides from leaf have similar bioavailability profile to bulb (~40-60%). Kaempferol and quercetin glycosides show moderate bioavailability (15-30%). Fresh leaf juice provides rapid absorption of water-soluble organosulfur compounds. Folate content is well absorbed (~60-70%).
Optimal Timing: Fresh juice: morning on empty stomach or with meals. Dried leaf powder: with meals. As culinary herb: add to dishes at end of cooking to preserve bioactives.
Standardized Extract: Rasona leaf extract (10:1 from fresh) standardized to total organosulfur compounds >0.5%, total flavonoids >3% (as kaempferol equivalents), chlorophyll >1%.
Shelf Life: Fresh leaves: 3-5 days refrigerated; Dried leaf powder: 12-18 months; Freeze-dried powder: 18-24 months; Extract: 18-24 months; Capsules: 24 months
Storage: Fresh leaves: 2-8 deg C in perforated bags. Dried powder: airtight, below 25 deg C, RH <40%, nitrogen-flushed, protected from light (chlorophyll oxidation). Extract: amber containers, below 25 deg C.
Marker Compounds: Alliin (lower than bulb), Diallyl sulfides, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Chlorophyll a and b, Folate, Beta-carotene, Ascorbic acid
Extraction Methods
- Fresh juice expression (mechanical pressing)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
- Shade-drying and powdering
- Aqueous extraction for polar organosulfur compounds
- Freeze-drying for maximum bioactive retention
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 2024. Health-promoting properties of bioactive proteins and peptides of garlic (Allium sativum)Food chemistry. PMID 37801762 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137632
- 2022. Pharmacotherapeutic Potential of Garlic in Age-Related Neurological DisordersCNS & neurological disorders drug targets. PMID 34579639 · doi:10.2174/1871527320666210927101257
- 2021. Revealing the Therapeutic Uses of Garlic (Allium sativum) and Its Potential for Drug DiscoveryTheScientificWorldJournal. PMID 35002548 · doi:10.1155/2021/8817288
- 2021. Exploring the garlic (Allium sativum) properties for fish aquacultureFish physiology and biochemistry. PMID 34164770 · doi:10.1007/s10695-021-00952-7
- 2020. Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A ReviewNutrients. PMID 32213941 · doi:10.3390/nu12030872
- 2019. Bioactive Compounds and Biological Functions of Garlic (Allium sativum L.)Foods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 31284512 · doi:10.3390/foods8070246
- 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
- 2017. Antileishmanial and Immunomodulatory Activity of Allium sativum (Garlic): A ReviewJournal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine. PMID 26721553 · doi:10.1177/2156587215623126
- 2013. Antioxidant action and therapeutic efficacy of Allium sativum LMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 23292331 · doi:10.3390/molecules18010690
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