|
Garlic, a common staple found in countless kitchens and recipes worldwide,
long has been considered a special food - not just for the unique flavor
it imparts, but also for its medicinal value. Botanically known as Allium
sativum, garlic is a bulb crop found in the family of onions, chives and
shallots. It is thought to have originated in Central Asia, and its use as
a condiment and for medicinal purposes predates written history. During
World War II, British physicians treated battle wounds with garlic
preparations when antibiotics were scarce.
Most of its therapeutic value, as well as its flavor and odor, can be
attributed to sulfur compounds contained within the garlic clove. One such
compound is the amino acid, alliin. Once a clove is cut or crushed, alliin
is converted to allicin, the main contributor to garlic's widespread
medicinal and antimicrobial benefits. Allicin is a very unstable compound;
once in the gastrointestinal tract, it is rapidly converted to other
compounds that can be used by the body.
In recent years, garlic has been widely studied for its role in preventing
heart disease and cancer, with somewhat mixed results. There is good
evidence, however, that garlic possesses antibacterial, antiviral,
antifungal, antiprotozoan and insect-repellent properties.
Given the recent surge of the West Nile virus spread by infected
mosquitoes, it's useful to explore the value of garlic as one more method
for avoiding mosquito bites. A number of studies have shown that the oil
fraction of garlic destroys certain species of mosquito larvae. Garlic
sprays (made primarily with garlic extract) are available on the market
for use on plants as an alternative botanical pesticide to chemical
pesticides. The sulfurs contained within the garlic extract have been
shown to be effective against a wide range of insects, including
mosquitoes, and the lingering odor can deter mosquitoes from the area for
weeks.
It is thought that garlic may be an alternative mosquito repellent for
humans as well. In a field study conducted in India, a preparation made of
1 percent garlic oil, petroleum jelly and beeswax that was rubbed on the
arms and legs of study subjects was found to be effective in preventing
mosquito bites for up to eight hours.
In addition, there is some evidence that heavy consumption of garlic
through supplements or well-flavored foods may help ward off mosquitoes.
When garlic is eaten and its components are metabolized, compounds are
released from the body through the skin and the breath. Although they may
not be detectable by others (or may, in the case of garlic breath!),
mosquitoes use smell to locate a host. For example, carbon dioxide and
lactic acid released from the breath of humans are two known mosquito
attractants that can be detected within 40 yards. While it has not been
proven through clinical studies, it is thought that the sulfur compounds
present on the skin and in the breath after eating garlic may help ward
off those pesky mosquitoes.
The bottom line: Mosquito repellents containing DEET are still your best
bet for avoiding mosquitoes - but a little garlic breath may also be a
good thing. Before deciding to use garlic supplements, it's important to
consider the potential side effects as well as possible benefits. Garlic
supplements are not for everyone. For example, they're not recommended for
pregnant or lactating women, for persons on blood thinning medications,
for those going into surgery or for those on certain medications such as
the anti-HIV drug Saquinavir.
As with any supplement regimen, it's best to consult with your health-care
provider about the efficacy of the supplement for your health care needs.
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
|
