BEAR'S GARLIC: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Bear's garlic is an herb. It grows throughout most parts of Europe and Asia. The leaf and bulb are used to make medicine.

People use bear's garlic for indigestion, intestinal gas, high blood pressure, skin rash, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Bear's garlic has chemicals that might help protect against heart disease, by reducing blood platelet activity and lowering blood pressure.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Indigestion.
Intestinal gas.
High blood pressure.
"Hardening of the arteries" (arteriosclerosis).
Skin rashes, when applied to the skin.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of bear's garlic for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bear's garlic is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bear's garlic is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bear's garlic is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: Bear's garlic might slow blood clotting. This might make bleeding disorders worse.

Surgery: Bear's garlic might slow blood clotting. This might interfere with blood clotting during and after surgery. Stop taking bear's garlic at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with BEAR'S GARLIC
Bear's garlic might slow blood clotting. Taking bear's garlic along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of bear's garlic depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for bear's garlic. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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