Properties: Pungent, warm

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Large Intestine

1. Kills Parasites and Expels Demons
   Hookworms and pinworms and, with appropriate herbs for other types of intestinal parasites
   Tinea of the scalp
   Single-clove purple garlic from Sichuan, is often recommended as the most effective single remedy for Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998) as the Gu-snakes greatly fear garlic Qi
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
2. Disperses abscesses and reduces swellings
   Primarily for early stages of abscesses and sores (internally and topically)
3. Resolves toxicity
   Tinea and other pruritic rashes (primarily topically)
4. Warms the Stomach, strengthens the Spleen, promotes the movement of Qi, reduces Stagnation and resolves toxicity
   Diarrhoea and dysenteric disorders due to epidemic toxins or Food Stagnation (can be used as a stand-alone herb for mild cases of Food Stagnation)
5. Prevents influenza and treats shellfish poisoning
   Bacterial and viral epidemics Shellfish poisoning

Suggested Daily Dosage: 5-10g eaten raw or made into syrup.

Cautions: It is contraindicated for oral taking in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire and people with eye disease or tooth disease or tongue disease or throat disease.

Its potential to increase antiplatelet activity means it can enhance the effects of anticoagulants, NSAIDs and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

Interactions:

• Chlorzoxazone: Increases plasma concentration of chlorzoxazone.
• Paracetamol: Changes in paracetamol pharmacokinetics.
• Saquinavir: Decreases saquinavir blood concentration.
• Anticoagulants: Antiplatelet potential may enhance anticoagulants, NSAIDS & aspirin.
• Should be stopped 7 days before surgery due to anticoagulant effect (Ang-Lee, Moss & Yuan, 2001; Yilmaz & Çifci, 2018).

Notes:

Shen Yuan (1786) recorded in his Collections of Strange Conditions a case of a man who had severe epigastric pain, especially when hungry or in cold weather. To cure Hua Tuo pounded the juice from 3 liang (approx. 150 g) of garlic and poured it down his throat, upon which he vomited out a snake that was 3 chi long (almost 1 m) and then recovered (Wilcox, 2024). This may be a reference to Da Suan for Gu disorders. These often present as strange diseases which are unresponsive to normal treatments and stories around them often involve snakes with many of the herbs used to treat them are described as "snake killing herbs". This account describes how "snakes strongly fear garlic qi."