Medicinal Plants

Allium sativum L.

Bawang Putih

Amaryllidaceae

Location in the garden Vegetable
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Allium sativum (Bawang Putih) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Allium sativum (Bawang Putih) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Allium sativum (Bawang Putih)

Summary

Garlic (Allium sativum) is an annual upright herb 30-60 cm tall of the Amaryllidaceae family, originating from Central Asia including China and Japan, brought to Indonesia by Chinese and Arab traders. Its bulb has been a basic seasoning in nearly every cuisine in the world for thousands of years. Garlic is traditionally believed to maintain heart health, lower blood pressure, and act as a natural antibiotic.

Agroecology

Grows optimally at elevations of 600-1,200 m above sea level with air temperature 15-20 °C. Prefers light, loose soil (sandy or loamy), porous, with soil pH ranging 6.5-7.5.

Morphology

  • Roots fibrous and not long.
  • Bulb layered, compound, nearly round shape, consisting of 8-20 cloves, covered by 3-5 thin paper-like membranes, somewhat white.
  • Stem pseudostem, small (corpus).
  • Leaves flat, somewhat folded inward, base of the sheath forms the bulb, the upper sheath forms the pseudostem.
  • Flowers compound simple umbel, emerging at each bulblet, has 1-3 membrane-like bracts.

Cultivation

  • Reproduces asexually through bulbs (shoots growing between bulb layers).
  • The right planting time is May-July.

Chemical Content

Essential oils, scordinin, salvitine, organosulfur compounds (diallyl thiosulfonate (allicin), diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), E/Z-ajoene, S-allyl-cysteine (SAC), S-allyl-cysteine sulfoxide (alliin), saponins, phenolic compounds.

Benefits

Maintains stamina, prevents heart disease, lowers high blood pressure, addresses migraine, treats bronchitis, sore throat, gum infection, digestive disorders, canker sores, boils, ringworm, hemorrhoids, acute respiratory infections, colds, reduces fat buildup. Has anticancer and antibiotic activity.

Simplisia

Information not yet available.

Local Names

Lasuna (Batak), Bacong handak (Lampung), Bawang bodas (Sunda), Bawang (Java), Dasun (Minangkabau), Bawang kasihong (Dayak), Lasuna kebo (Makassar), Pia moputi (Gorontalo), Incuna (Nusa Tenggara).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Lowering High Blood Pressure from Bawang Putih

1. Lowering High Blood Pressure

  • Finely slice 1 clove of garlic and 16 stalks of celery then mix, crush and add 100 ml water. Strain.
  • Drink for 3 days in the morning after eating.
Traditional recipe Reducing Migraine from Bawang Putih

2. Reducing Migraine

  • Crush 1 clove of garlic. Boil with 1 pinch of gotu kola and 1 1/2 glasses of water until it boils for 10-15 minutes over low heat.
  • Drink 3 x 1/3 glass per day.
Traditional recipe Reducing Fat Buildup from Bawang Putih

3. Reducing Fat Buildup

  • Peel 1 clove of garlic.
  • Consume twice a day.
Traditional recipe Treating Ringworm from Bawang Putih

4. Treating Ringworm

  • Cut 1 clove of garlic into 2 parts.
  • Rub on the affected area, do this once a day.

Reference Sources

  1. Chevallier, A.( 2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. DK Publishing, New York. Third edition page 59.
  2. Fern, Ken. (2019). Useful Tropical Plants Database. Garlic. Allium sativum. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Allium+sativum. 22-01-2021.
  3. Go Botany. (2021). Allium sativum L. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/allium/sativum/. 22-01-2021.
  4. Lim, T.K. (2016). Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants. New York. Springer, v.9 p.210.
  5. Bordia A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC. 1998. Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) on blood lipids, blood sugar, fibrinogen and fibrinolytic activity in patients with coronary artery disease. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 58(4): 257-263.
  6. Damayanti M. 2014. Uji Efektivitas Larutan Bawang Putih (Allium sativum) Terhadap Pertumbuhan Bakteri Propionibacterium acnes Secara In Vitro - Laporan Penelitian UIN.
  7. Kendler BS. 1987. Garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa): A review of their relationship to cardiovascular disease. Preventive Med. 16(5): 670-685.
  8. Untari I. 2010. Bawang Putih Sebagai Obat Paling Mujarab Bagi Kesehatan – GASTER 7.