Da Suan (大蒜) is the garlic bulb, recorded as Bulbus Allii Sativi. It is acrid in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Lung, Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that kill parasites, and carries an unusually long list of cautions for it.

Pinyin

da suan

Chinese

大蒜

Latin Name

Bulbus Allii·Bulbus Allii Sativi

English Name

Garlic Bulb

Japanese

taisan

Korean

taesan

Actions and indications

Kills parasites

Hookworm and pinworm, and other intestinal worms when combined with suitable herbs
Tinea of the scalp

Disperses abscesses and reduces swelling

Abscesses, boils and sores at the early stage before pus forms, as a paste on the skin or taken internally
Nodules, scrofula or early sores treated with moxa burned on a slice of garlic

Resolves toxicity

Tinea and other itchy rashes, mostly applied to the skin
Toxic Heat presentations, taken by mouth

Warms the Spleen and Stomach, moves Qi, reduces stagnation and resolves toxicity

Diarrhea and dysentery from epidemic toxin or food stagnation; garlic alone can treat mild food stagnation
Cold invading the digestive tract, with distension and cold pain in the epigastrium or abdomen
Bacterial-type dysentery and diarrhea, raw or decocted

Prevents epidemic infection and treats shellfish poisoning

Bacterial and viral epidemics, including influenza
Respiratory infections and whooping cough
Pulmonary tuberculosis as a supporting herb, paired with Bai Ji when the cough brings up blood-streaked sputum
Shellfish poisoning

Combinations

bing lang + he shi + ku lian pi

Expels roundworm, hookworm and other intestinal parasites

huang lian

Damp-Heat dysentery; consumption; sudden cough

vinegar soaked

Cold Qi lodged in the Stomach and Intestines, with a cold, painful abdomen

sesame oil

Topically for toxic swellings

rice gruel

Consumption

mang xiao + da huang

Intestinal abscess

geng mi + bai ji

Tuberculosis, taken as a porridge over an extended course

zi su ye + sheng jiang

Food poisoning of various kinds

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 4.5-15g; Acute infection: 8-20g eaten immediately; Tincture: 0.5-2ml

4.5-15 g

—

0.5-2 ml

—

Cautions

contraindication Heat signs from Yin deficiency

contraindication Liver or Kidney Fire

contraindication Deficiency of Qi and Blood

contraindication Leg Qi

contraindication Wind disorders

contraindication Recovery from a seasonal epidemic illness

pregnancy Do not use in pregnancy

lactation Do not use while breastfeeding

pregnancy Pregnancy: never apply it around the anus

contraindication Pox, rashes or sores

contraindication Malarial disorders

contraindication Bleeding

contraindication Eye disorders

contraindication Premature ejaculation or spermatorrhea

contraindication Disorders of the mouth, gums, teeth, throat or tongue, for internal use

contraindication Excess Heat or Fire, or marked Stomach Heat, which this pungent warm herb aggravates

caution Keep topical use brief: crushed garlic on the skin, especially under a dressing, can cause chemical burns, blistering, irritant dermatitis and lasting dark marks; dilute it and remove it as soon as it burns

caution Raw garlic or large amounts irritate the mouth and gut, with burning, heartburn, wind, nausea or diarrhea, worse on an empty stomach; take care with stomach irritation or ulcers

Interactions

Drug interactions

Insulin and oral antidiabetics (tolbutamide, glipizide, glyburide): the combined effect may drive blood sugar too low
Vancomycin: in laboratory tests fresh garlic lowered the amount of vancomycin needed to inhibit resistant enterococci
Warfarin and other anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines: garlic inhibits platelets, and a raised INR with bruising or bleeding has been reported after heavy intake
HIV protease inhibitors such as saquinavir: in a controlled study garlic supplements cut saquinavir blood levels by about half, likely by inducing gut drug-metabolising enzymes, so other CYP450-metabolised medicines may also be affected