Bawang

 Family iliaceae

 Scientitfic name:  Allium sativum L.

 Local names:

                        Ajos (Bis)

                        Garlic (Engl)

                        Bawang (Tag)

Traditional Uses

             A.            Bulb

1.      crushed and applied on swelling joints for rheumatism and sprains and also for headache.

2.      crushed and rubbed over ringworm, scabies, wound, insect bite and dog bite.

3.      juice applied to the nose in case of fainting.

4.      juice used as drop for earache.

5.      inserted in the tooth to relieve toothache.

6.      mild decoction used as wash for a disease of the vagina characterized by heavy discharge.

7.      eaten to expel gas and worms from the intestines.

8.      eaten fresh or burned for cough.

9.      eaten to increase the amount of urine.

10.  eaten to lower blood pressure.

11.  eaten to prevent tuberculosis and to build resistance against other diseases.

12.  eaten to increase sexual desire.

13.  syrup taken in for cough, hoarseness and asthma.

14.  oil extract taken in to lower fever, for cough and to increase the amount of urine.

           B.            Leaves

            Eaten to lower blood pressure.

Reasearch findings

            The bulb contains allicin, volatile oil, sulfides, protein, fat, carbohydrates, choline, and myrosinase.

            The leaves contain protein, fat and sulfides.

            Allicin has been found to inhibit a broad variety of bacteria, fungi and protozoa.

            Foreign reasearchers have reported garlic to have hypoglycemic action (lowers blood sugar), hypolipemic and fibrinolytic (prevents accumulation of fats in the blood vessels), and diuretic action (increases the amount of urine).

Food values

            Garlic is very widely used as flavoring for dishes.  The fresh leaves are also eaten as vegetable.

 Recommended Medicinal Uses

             For mild hypertension: Eat 2 cooked medium-sized cloves with meals 3 times a day.  Use should be consistent.  (Avoid prolonged use for patients with peptic ulcer.)

             For Headache and rheumatism: Crush enough fresh cloves and rub on affected areas.

             For skin fungal infection: Crush enough fresh gloves and rub on affected areas.  Do this 2 or 3 times daily.

             For toothache: insert a small piece of fresh cloves into the aching tooth.

             For cough (to expel phlegm):  Put a punded clove of garlic in a glass of honey or thick sugar water.

 Botanical and Agricultural Characteristics                    

            Habit:  Herb

            Habitat:  Widely cultivated areas in the Philippines

            Propagation:  Clove