Historical, Chemical and Cardiovascular Perspectives on Garlic: A Review

The objective of this review is to highlight the historical background, constituents, chemistry and use of Garlic in Cardiovascular Disease. Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used medicinally since antiquity. In virtually every early civilization known, such as ancient India, Egypt, Rome, China, and Japan, garlic was part of the therapeutic regimen for a variety of maladies. Therefore, the ancient medicinal tradition of garlic use would qualify it as a folk medicine or as an alternative or complementary medicine. Many derivatives of dithiines, allyl sulfides, and ajoenes are in use or being evaluated for use.