Potion or Poison? Garlic

Abstract

SUMMARY MESSAGE: Garlic has consistently been shown to be superior to placebo in reducing blood pressure; however, the effect on lipids is conflicting and further studies are required. The large variation in garlic products commercially available makes it difficult to determine the true effect of garlic on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Garlic has been shown to significantly reduce the severity of symptoms associated with the common cold and the duration of illness, but further evidence is required to validate these findings.