Garlic (Allium sativum): what it is and how it is used
Garlic is the pungent bulb you probably already have in your kitchen, and it is one of the best-known traditional plants for circulation and vessel wellbeing. On Mzansi Hub it appears in Cordis, a heart and vascular supplement. This page explains what garlic is, where it comes from and how to use it sensibly.
Key takeaways
- Garlic is a bulb from the onion family, used in cooking and traditional wellness for many centuries.
- Its sulphur compounds, including allicin, give it the smell and its traditional reputation.
- It is traditionally linked with healthy circulation and vessel walls.
- It appears in Cordis alongside European cranberrybush.
- Talk to your GP or pharmacist first if you take blood thinners or have surgery planned.
What is garlic?
Garlic, Allium sativum, is a bulb vegetable closely related to onions, leeks and chives. Each bulb is made up of cloves wrapped in a papery skin. It grows well across many parts of the world and is a staple in kitchens from Durban curries to Cape Malay bredies and a Sunday braai marinade.
People have used garlic in food and traditional wellness for thousands of years. Its strong aroma comes from sulphur-containing compounds that form when a clove is crushed or chopped. The best known of these is allicin.
What is garlic traditionally used for?
Garlic is traditionally linked with healthy circulation and the wellbeing of blood vessel walls. That reputation is why it is a popular ingredient in supplements aimed at heart and vascular wellness.
In many food cultures, garlic is also valued for its flavour and as a daily kitchen ingredient. In capsule form, it offers a convenient way to include garlic in your routine without the smell on your breath at the next family gathering.
We describe garlic by its traditional use only. It is not a medicine, and a supplement containing it supports a healthy lifestyle rather than standing in for medical care.
Where is garlic found?
Fresh garlic is sold in every supermarket and market in South Africa, usually in whole bulbs or peeled cloves. You will also find it as garlic powder, flakes, paste and aged garlic extract.
It pairs naturally with tomatoes, onions, meat, vegetables, lentils and most stews. Many cooks add it at the end of cooking to keep more of its character.
- Fresh bulbs and cloves
- Garlic powder and flakes
- Garlic paste and garlic butter
- Capsule supplements containing garlic extract or powder
Which Mzansi Hub products contain garlic?
Garlic is one of the two named ingredients in Cordis, a 60-capsule pack of 500 mg capsules priced at R649. Cordis is labelled Natural supplements for cardiac and vascular wellness. The seller describes it as support for normal blood pressure, heart muscle and vessel walls, plus general immune support.
The other named ingredient is European cranberrybush, which is rich in antioxidant plant compounds such as catechins. Full amounts for both are printed on the pack.
You can read the Cordis product page for the order details, the FAQ and customer opinions.
How do I use garlic supplements with care?
Follow the directions on the pack and take capsules with a meal and water. If you notice stomach discomfort, taking garlic with food usually helps. Keep your usual healthy habits in place: balanced food, movement and regular blood-pressure checks.
Concentrated garlic can interact with some medicines. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before you start if you take blood thinners such as warfarin, if you take other medicines for blood pressure or HIV, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have an operation planned. Many doctors suggest pausing garlic supplements before surgery.
Never stop or change prescribed tablets because you started a supplement.
Frequently asked questions
What is garlic traditionally used for?
Garlic is traditionally linked with healthy circulation and vessel walls, and it has long been used in cooking and traditional wellness. In supplements, it is often paired with other heart-friendly ingredients.
What is allicin?
Allicin is a sulphur compound that forms when a garlic clove is crushed or chopped. It is responsible for much of garlic's strong smell and is the compound most often mentioned in connection with the plant.
Is garlic safe to take every day?
Garlic is a common food, and most adults eat it regularly. Concentrated supplements are different from kitchen amounts, so follow the pack directions and ask your GP or pharmacist if you take daily medicine.
Can I take garlic with blood thinners?
Speak to your GP or pharmacist first. Garlic can affect how blood clots, so people on blood thinners, or with an operation coming up, should get personal advice before using a garlic supplement.
Which product has garlic?
On Mzansi Hub, garlic appears in Cordis, a heart and vascular supplement priced at R649 for 60 capsules.
