Garlic essential oil

Garlic essential oil

Properties of garlic essential oil

The antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal properties of garlic essential oil are undeniable. They come from sulfur compounds, steroidal saponins and ajoenes. Other beneficial actions are nevertheless added in many areas, and in particular on the cardiovascular level.

For health

A powerful anti-infective (bacteria, virus, intestinal worms, fungus)

Garlic essential oil is one of the most powerful natural anti-infectives known because of its diallyl sulfide composition (about 40%). It also contains diallyl trisulfide (30%) and diallyl tetrasulfide (4%), two sulfur compounds that contribute to antimicrobial activity.

Like other essential oils, the hydrophobic character of the oil makes it possible to attack the phospholipid membrane of the bacterial cell and to increase its permeability: the contents of the cells are released leading to the death of the bacteria.

A fearsome antioxidant

The antioxidant activity of garlic essential oil is attributed in part to its sulfur compounds and the synergy of minor compounds.

An anti-carcinogen

Diallyl sulphide and ajoene could prevent certain cancer cells from multiplying and thus protect the body against potential carcinogens.

A purifier

Garlic essential oil whose diallyl sulfide has been converted to allyl bromide has been shown to have carminative effects.

An anticholesterolemic (= beneficial for cholesterol)

Ajoene would be a compound capable of preventing the synthesis (formation) of cholesterol in vitro and could play a role in the hypocholesterolemic effect attributed to garlic. Saponins, present in garlic, would also have the ability to reduce blood cholesterol in animals and blood coagulation in vitro.

Other properties:

For the well-being

Garlic essential oil, because of its specific and tenacious smell, cannot be used in a psycho-emotional context. Other essential oils, with a more pleasant smell, will be more appropriate.

Indications of garlic essential oil

Thanks to the many properties described above, garlic oil has multiple indications.

For health

Viral and bacterial infections (bronchitis, tuberculosis, flu, etc.)

The antibacterial properties of the oil allow them to be used in the treatment of all infections of microbial origin.

Garlic juice diluted 125,000 times has been shown to have inhibiting properties on the development of Staphylococci, 23 Streptococci, Vibrio, Bacillus and activity on certain zoopathogenic fungi and many yeasts.

The cardiovascular benefits

The beneficial effects of garlic essential oil on blood cholesterol and coagulation coupled with its antioxidant status make it interesting for preventing and treating heart rhythm disorders as well as hypertension.

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Garlic would act as a vasodilator of arterioles and capillaries which would produce hypotension (effect due to fructans and allyl disulphide). In addition, the oil has a fibrinolytic activity but this action is greater in a healthy subject than in a coronary patient.

Skin parasites and skin problems (warts, corns, calluses)

Thanks to the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, skin problems are among the indications of the oil.

Age-related diseases and cancer

The oil can help fight against free radicals, very reactive molecules that are thought to be involved in the development of certain cancers and other diseases linked to aging.

In addition, S-allylcysteine ​​(stable and odorless compound) would inhibit the process of carcinogenesis.

Worms or intestinal parasites (roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms, etc.)

The volatile and exciting principles that garlic spreads in the digestive tract seem to kill all the worms that are there and lead to their expulsion.

Hormonal imbalance (thyroid, etc.)

Garlic would also have an action on internal secretions: at low doses, it causes hyperactivity of the thyroid and at high doses, it would be the cause of hypoactivity of the latter.

Other indications:

Use of garlic essential oil

Garlic essential oil has many benefits. Unfortunately, its richness in allicin, the molecule responsible for the characteristic smell of garlic, prevents it from being among the most recommendable essential oils. If necessary, it is recommended to contact a professional in order to collect personalized and secure information, adapted to your medical situation, your profile and your age.

Cutaneous application, massage

Garlic is not recommended for use on the skin because it can be dermocaustic (which can cause burns to the skin and mucous membranes) and the smell is quite unpleasant. Anyway, garlic needs to be diluted: 1 or 2 drops in a little vegetable oil to treat skin problems.

Oral route

Taken orally, garlic should only be taken on the advice of a specialist as it can be irritating to the digestive and urinary mucous membranes.

Garlic essential oil can be used in a culinary preparation, respecting the dosages and processes. However, because of its smell, garlic essential oil is very difficult to use. It is much better to put fresh garlic in your diet or to consume garlic directly, rather than using the essential oil.

Garlic essential oil is very powerful: 1 drop is enough to flavor a dish.

Inhalation

To treat all respiratory infections, dilute a few drops of garlic essential oil in a bowl of simmering water placed flat on the table. Remember to remove glasses or contact lenses, then close your eyes, lean over the bowl, a towel over your head so as to breathe in as much steam as possible. Keep your head under the towel for ten minutes. Stop if it is too unpleasant.
Repeat the operation 3 times a day.

There is a possible variant: place a few drops of garlic essential oil on a handkerchief and inhale deeply for 2-3 minutes.

Diffusion

Garlic essential oil is one of the oils incompatible with diffusion due to its strong and tenacious smell.

Precautions for use

Garlic essential oil should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, as well as in children under 6 years old.

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Warning:  The properties and indications mentioned in this sheet are based on a body of research which presents a traditional use of the essential oil, recognized by experts in aromatherapy.Nevertheless it remains recommended for the use of essential oils to contact an aromatherapy professional in order to collect personalized and secure information, adapted to your medical situation, your profile and your age.

Choosing a Good Garlic Essential Oil

To choose a good essential oil of garlic, you must bear in mind its optimal biochemical composition, its physical and organoleptic characteristics as well as some notions on its geographical exploitation.

Biochemical composition

The biochemical composition is likely to change depending on the production conditions and the quality of the oil. Nevertheless, we can rely on this composition to assess the quality of an oil:

Physical characteristics

The most convenient form is probably capsules containing diluted essential oil, but bottled solutions are possible.

Organoleptic characteristics

Garlic essential oil is yellow, with a strong, unpleasant odor and a burning flavor. Its consumption leads to a strong smell of the breath and the skin, recognizable and persistent: it is due to the allyl sulphide, contained in the essential oil of garlic and the excess of which is eliminated by the pulmonary route.

The smell of garlic essential oil is always more powerful than we imagine: it is advisable to store it in its original glass bottle and then place it in an airtight plastic bag or a tightly closed jar. , possibly with an anti-odor ball (with activated carbon) inside.

History of garlic essential oil

shan, on the border of China and Kazakhstan, to the east. In this vast region, about 150 wild species belonging to the genus Allium have been found. Known to the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to protect themselves from infections, it spread to southern and eastern Europe, then to North America in the 19th century.

However, it did not always have good press because of its smell, which betrayed “a deplorable peasant origin” in the words of Cervantes. This is why it was long nicknamed “the stinking rose”.

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