Garlic

(S) Rashona, "lacking one taste"; as it contains all of the six tastes except sour. (Pungent resides in its root, bitter in its leaf, astringent in its stern, saline at the top of the stem and sweet taste in the seed.)

(C) Da suan

Part Used: rhizome

Energetics: all but sour, mainly pungent/heating/pungent VK- P+

Tissues: works on all tissue-elements

Systems: digestive, respiratory, nervous, reproductive, circulatory

Actions: stimulant, carminative, expectorant, alterative, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, disinfectant, anthelmintic, rejuvenative

Indications: colds, cough, asthma, heart disease, hypertension, cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, palpitation, skin diseases, parasitic infections, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, edema, impotence, hysteria

Precautions: hyperacidity, toxic heat in the blood, high Pitta

Preparation: infusion (do not boil), powder (100 to 500 mg), juice, medicated oil

GARLIC is a powerful rejuvenative herb. It is a rasayana for Vata, and also, to a lesser degree, for Kapha, for the bone and nerve tissue. It also is a powerful detoxifier and is good for chronic or periodic (Vata) fevers. It cleanses Ama and Kapha from the blood and lymphatics. Yet its heating attribute can aggravate the blood and cause or aggravate bleeding.

Its quality is tamasic. Garlic can increase dullness of mind while, on the other hand, may increase "groundedness". It increases semen but also has an irritant effect upon the reproductive organs. So while good as a medicine, garlic may not be a good common-usage herb for those practicing yoga.