Anticoagulation Effects
It has long been known that garlic and onion have an anti-aggregation effect on
platelets, and several mechanisms appear to be associated with this process, such
as modification of the platelet membrane properties, inhibition of calcium mobil-
ization, and inhibition steps of the arachidonic acid cascade in blood platelets [14,
15].
Our animal experiments also suggested a prolongation of blood coagulation
time in garlic powder-fed mice. In this experiment, 1 mL of 5% garlic powder in
water was administered orally once daily for three days by catheter and coagulation
time was measured. Garlic-fed mice clearly demonstrated a prolonged blood coag-
ulation time (Table 4.5, Fig. 4.3).
Administration of 800 mg of garlic powder to a human over a period of four
weeks made spontaneous platelet aggregation disappear [13]. Blood thinning as a
positive action of garlic sometimes leads to negative effect such as induction of
bleeding. Because of this care should be taken in ingesting garlic (pills) prior to
surgery or labor and delivery, due to the risk of excessive bleeding. Similarly, gar-
4.2 Garlic 85
Fig. 4.3 Prolongation of blood coagulation time in garlic powder-fed mice.
These pictures correspond to the results given in Table 4.5. The blood
coagulation time in three mice was prolonged after they were fed with garlic
powder.
Table 4.5 Prolongation of blood coagulation time in mice fed with garlic powder.
Mouse number (n = 3) Coagulation time (s) Average
Before feedingof garlic powder
Mouse 1 150 170±28.3
Mouse 2 150
Mouse 3 210
After feeding of 5% garlic powder
Mouse 1 240 390±106.8
Mouse 2 480
Mouse 3 450
lic should not be combined with blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin, heparin,
aspirin, or pentoxifylline [1].
Concerning safety issues of garlic, no negative effects were observed in rats fed
with high doses of garlic (200 mg kg–1 body weight) for six months [2, 16]. Howev-
er, care should be observed in taking excessive raw garlic as it produces numerous
symptoms as described above.
It has long been known that garlic and onion have an anti-aggregation effect on
platelets, and several mechanisms appear to be associated with this process, such
as modification of the platelet membrane properties, inhibition of calcium mobil-
ization, and inhibition steps of the arachidonic acid cascade in blood platelets [14,
15].
Our animal experiments also suggested a prolongation of blood coagulation
time in garlic powder-fed mice. In this experiment, 1 mL of 5% garlic powder in
water was administered orally once daily for three days by catheter and coagulation
time was measured. Garlic-fed mice clearly demonstrated a prolonged blood coag-
ulation time (Table 4.5, Fig. 4.3).
Administration of 800 mg of garlic powder to a human over a period of four
weeks made spontaneous platelet aggregation disappear [13]. Blood thinning as a
positive action of garlic sometimes leads to negative effect such as induction of
bleeding. Because of this care should be taken in ingesting garlic (pills) prior to
surgery or labor and delivery, due to the risk of excessive bleeding. Similarly, gar-
4.2 Garlic 85
Fig. 4.3 Prolongation of blood coagulation time in garlic powder-fed mice.
These pictures correspond to the results given in Table 4.5. The blood
coagulation time in three mice was prolonged after they were fed with garlic
powder.
Table 4.5 Prolongation of blood coagulation time in mice fed with garlic powder.
Mouse number (n = 3) Coagulation time (s) Average
Before feedingof garlic powder
Mouse 1 150 170±28.3
Mouse 2 150
Mouse 3 210
After feeding of 5% garlic powder
Mouse 1 240 390±106.8
Mouse 2 480
Mouse 3 450
lic should not be combined with blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin, heparin,
aspirin, or pentoxifylline [1].
Concerning safety issues of garlic, no negative effects were observed in rats fed
with high doses of garlic (200 mg kg–1 body weight) for six months [2, 16]. Howev-
er, care should be observed in taking excessive raw garlic as it produces numerous
symptoms as described above.
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