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Herbs and plants

Garlic—a natural antibiotic in our kitchen?

Sources: 8 · Article: 10 243 characters

Henryk Różański points out that garlic kills bacteria and fungi only at concentrations that cannot be reached by swallowing it, though they may be possible when applied to the skin or mucous membranes.

  • When garlic is crushed, an enzyme converts alliin, which has no antibacterial effect on its own, into allicin.
  • Garlic oil inhibits the growth of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, but garlic’s effects should not be overstated.

What the authors write

Henryk Różański

Garlic’s effects against bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses have been demonstrated many times, but they should not be overstated.

„Its antibacterial, antiprotozoal, fungistatic, and antiviral effects have been demonstrated many times, but these properties should not be overstated. Garlic is fungicidal and bactericidal at high concentrations that cannot be achieved with oral doses (which would cause signs of poisoning, vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea), but which can be used topically (on mucous membranes or skin).”Działanie antybakteryjne, pierwotniakobójcze, fungistatyczne i antywirusowe zostało wielokrotnie dowiedzione, jednakże nie należy przeceniać tych właściwości. Czosnek działa grzybobójczo i bakteriobójczo w wysokich stężeniach niemożliwych do uzyskania w dawkach doustnych (objawy zatrucia, wymioty, ból brzucha, nudności), jednakże realnych do użycia miejscowego (błony śluzowe, skóra).
Czy czosnek (Garlic, Knoblauch) działa immunostymulująco?
Henryk Różański

Garlic kills bacteria and fungi only at concentrations that cannot be reached by swallowing it, though they may be possible when applied to the skin or mucous membranes.

„Garlic is fungicidal and bactericidal at high concentrations that cannot be achieved with oral doses (which would cause signs of poisoning, vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea), but which can be used topically (on mucous membranes or skin). In my own research, I have shown that some bacteria, for example,”Czosnek działa grzybobójczo i bakteriobójczo w wysokich stężeniach niemożliwych do uzyskania w dawkach doustnych (objawy zatrucia, wymioty, ból brzucha, nudności), jednakże realnych do użycia miejscowego (błony śluzowe, skóra). Osobiście w badaniach wykazałem, że niektóre bakterie, np.
Czy czosnek (Garlic, Knoblauch) działa immunostymulująco?
Henryk Różański

Some bacteria tolerate high concentrations of garlic, and Candida fungi are not very sensitive even to high medicinal doses.

„In my own research, I have shown that some bacteria, such as Enterococcus faecalis, tolerate high concentrations (1:2000) of garlic. Similarly, fungi of the genus Candida are not very sensitive to garlic consumed in high medicinal doses. Nevertheless, garlic belongs to the group of phytoncide plants, but in my opinion its phytoncides can be “overcome” by bacteria and fungi through deactivation, and we will increasingly encounter bacteria and fungi resistant to phytoncides from the glucosinolate group (sulfur glycosides).”Osobiście w badaniach wykazałem, że niektóre bakterie, np. Enterococcus faecalis tolerują wysokie stężenia (1:2000) czosnku. Podobnie grzyby z rodzaju Candida są mało wrażliwe na czosnek spożywany w wysokich dawkach leczniczych. Nie mniej jednak czosnek należy do roślin fitoncydowych, ale moim zdaniem są to fitoncydy “naruszalne” przez bakterie i grzyby w kierunku dezaktywacji i coraz częściej będziemy się spotykać z opornością bakterii i grzybów na fitoncydy z grupy glukozynolatów (glikozydów siarkowych).
Czy czosnek (Garlic, Knoblauch) działa immunostymulująco?
Henryk Różański

Intact garlic contains alliin, which has no antibacterial effect; when garlic is crushed, an enzyme converts it into allicin.

„Alliin has no antibacterial properties. When the raw material is crushed, the enzyme alliinase converts alliin into allicin. One mg of alliin produces 0.45 mg of allicin. Allicin then breaks down into fragrant sulfur compounds (ajoenes, oligosulfides, vinyl disulfides).”Alliina nie posiada właściwości przeciwbakteryjnych. Podczas rozdrabniania surowca, alliina pod wpływem enzymu allinazy zostaje przekształcona do allicyny. Z 1 mg alliiny powstaje 0,45 mg allicyny. Allicyna ulega następnie rozpadowi do wonnych związków siarki (ajoeny, oligosiarczki, winylodisiarczki.
Czosnek jako surowiec farmakopealny. Sproszkowana cebula czosnku – Allii sativi bulbi pulvis.
Henryk Różański

Garlic oil inhibits the growth of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

„Garlic oil inhibits the growth of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Fresh garlic bulbs contain 0.1 to 0.36% volatile oil, which contains alliin (S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide), S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, enzymes (alliinase, peroxidase, myrosinase), ajoenes (E,Z-ajoene, E,Z-methylajoene, dimethylajone), proteins (16.8%), mineral salts (sulfur, selenium), vitamins (B1, B2, PP), amino acids (cysteine), and steroidal saponins.”Olejek czosnkowy hamuje rozwój bakterii, wirusów, grzybów i pierwotniaków. Świeża cebula czosnku zawiera od 0,1 do 0,36% olejku lotnego, a w nim alliinę (S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide), S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, enzymy (allinaza, peroksydaza, mirozynaza), ajoeany (E,Z-ajoene, E,Z-methylajoene, dimethylajone), białka (16,8%), sole mineralne (siarka, selen), witaminy (B1, B2, PP), aminokwasy (cysteina), saponiny sterydowe.
Czosnek – Allium jako antiscleroticum i hypotonicum.
Andrzej Frydrychowski

Crushing garlic and waiting 10 minutes before eating it releases allicin through the action of alliin and alliinase.

„It is enough to consume 1 g per day. The condition is that it must be crushed 10 minutes before consumption. This releases allicin after the garlic’s cell membranes are broken (a reaction takes place between alliin and alliinase, producing allicin).”Wystarczy spożywać go w ilości 1 g dziennie. Warunkiem jest zmiażdżenie go 10 minut przed spożyciem. Powoduje to uwolnienie się allicyny po przerwaniu błon komórkowych czosnku (zachodzi reakcja między alliiną i allnazą, w wyniku której powstaje allicyna).
Zaburzenia gospodarki lipidowej (cholesterolu) w świetle medycyny dalekiego wschodu – medycyna chińska Część 2

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 4 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 1 923.

A review of nine clinical trials found that garlic-based mouthwashes reduced cavity-causing bacteria, although their effectiveness depended on the substance they were compared with and the duration of use.

Aim of the study: This systematic review and meta-analysis (SRM) investigated the potential of garlic (Allium sativum) against cariogenic oral microorganisms.

Results: Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria, most of which assessed S. mutans, followed by Lactobacillus spp. and C. albicans. All included trials used garlic-based mouthwashes as the intervention and consistently showed significant antimicrobial activity. In the meta-analysis, compared with chlorhexidine, garlic reduced S. mutans at 1 week (SMD = -0.73, 95 % CI = -1.39 to -0.07, I² = 73 %; p = 0.03), had a slightly lower effect at 2 weeks (SMD = 1.27, 95 % CI = 0.09-2.44, I² = 90 %; p = 0.03), and showed no difference at 1 month (SMD = -0.54, 95 % CI = -2.78-1.70, I² = 96 %; p = 0.64). Compared with sodium fluoride, it showed greater activity at 2 weeks (SMD = -0.79, 95 % CI = -1.22 to -0.36, I² = 0 %; p = 0.0003). Most studies had a low risk of bias, and the certainty of the evidence was rated as low. Garlic-based mouthwashes show significant antimicrobial activity against cariogenic microorganisms, supporting their potential as a phytotherapeutic strategy for biofilm control.

Antimicrobial effect of garlic-based mouthwash on dental caries-related oral microorganisms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. · Arch Oral Biol 2026
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In a laboratory study, garlic extract strongly inhibited the growth of Streptococcus mutans.

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lemon, ginger, garlic, and honey extracts on Streptococcus mutans.

Results: When the extracts were compared individually, garlic showed the greatest antimicrobial activity, with a mean zone of inhibition of 34.9 ± 0.58 mm, while honey showed the least activity (0.5 ± 0.6 mm). When combinations of extracts were tested against S. mutans, the lemon and garlic combination showed the greatest zone of inhibition (27.6 ± 0.43 mm) compared with the other combinations, while the ginger and lemon combination showed the smallest zone of inhibition (12.6 ± 0.43 mm). The study concluded that garlic had the greatest antimicrobial effect against S. mutans when compared with the other preparations individually, and that garlic and lemon together produced the greatest zone of inhibition among the combinations.

Antimicrobial Effect of Ginger, Garlic, Honey, and Lemon Extracts on Streptococcus mutans. · J Contemp Dent Pract 2017
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In rabbits infected with E. coli, garlic treatment improved several health indicators and reduced bacterial shedding in feces and tissue damage.

Aim of the study: Florfenicol (FFC) is a synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic, and garlic has a bactericidal effect against coliform bacteria. This study compared the antimicrobial, immunological, and biochemical effects of florfenicol and garlic in treating enteropathogenic Escherichia coli serotype O55: H7 infection in rabbits.

Results: Hepatic and intestinal gene expression, as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were significantly higher in G2 than in the other groups, and their levels were higher in G3 than in G4. Serum interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and phagocytic activity were significantly higher in G4 than in G3. G3 showed macrocytic hypochromic anemia, confirmed histopathologically by moderate bone marrow hematopoiesis. In conclusion, garlic powder can reduce rabbit colibacillosis, as can FFC, and can improve the immune status of rabbits.

Antimicrobial, immunological and biochemical effects of florfenicol and garlic (Allium sativum) on rabbits infected with Escherichia coli serotype O55: H7. · Vet Res Commun 2022
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In a laboratory study, peptides isolated from garlic effectively killed Staphylococcus aureus.

Aim of the study: Garlic has long been used as an antimicrobial spice and herbal remedy. The aim of this study was to isolate the antimicrobial agent in garlic water extract that acts against Staphylococcus aureus (S.

Results: A study of the mechanism showed that treatment with GLDPs caused cell membrane depolarization in a dose-dependent manner, and electron microscopy showed disruption of cell wall and membrane integrity. Molecular docking analysis showed that GLDPs could bind successfully to the cell wall component lipoteichoic acid (LTA) through van der Waals forces and conventional bonds. These results suggest that GLDPs are responsible for activity targeting S. aureus and may be promising candidates for antibiotic development against bacterial infections.

Structural Characterization of the Staphylococcus aureus Targeting Lectin Peptides from Garlic (Allium sativum L) by Liquid Nitrogen Grinding Coupled with the Proteomic and Antimicrobial Mechanism Analysis. · Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Key Research and Development Program of China
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

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