Evidence supporting the use of: Garlic
For the health condition: Glands (swollen lymph)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Garlic (Allium sativum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for a variety of conditions, including infections and inflammation. In traditional herbal practices, garlic was sometimes recommended to help with “swollen glands,” a term most commonly referring to swollen lymph nodes, based on its perceived abilities to fight infection and “purify the blood.” These uses are primarily rooted in historical and folkloric practices, particularly in European, Indian, and Chinese herbalism.
However, scientific evidence specifically supporting garlic for the treatment of swollen lymph glands is very limited. Garlic has demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory and some clinical studies, and it may help support immune function in general. Yet, there are no robust clinical trials or direct evidence showing that garlic can treat or reduce swollen lymph nodes. Swelling of lymph nodes is typically a symptom of underlying infection, inflammation, or other medical conditions, and while garlic’s immune-supportive effects may be beneficial for general health, its specific impact on lymphatic swelling remains unproven.
Therefore, the use of garlic for swollen lymph glands is justified primarily by tradition rather than scientific validation, and the evidence supporting its use for this specific indication is weak.
Other ingredients used for Glands (swollen lymph)
AbrusAbuta
Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Ajuga
Allicin
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
Angelica
Aralia
Ardisia
Arisaema
avens
Baikal Skullcap
Baliospermum
banyan
Barleria
bee propolis
betel
betony
bitter grass
black nightshade
black root
blackthorn
blue flag
Bombax
borneol
bovine
Broussonetia
Bupleurum
burdock
Butea monosperma
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
castor oil
Celosia
Centipeda
chickweed
Chinese silkvine
cinquefoil
cleavers
Collinsonia
commiphora
Coptis chinensis
costus
Cyathula
Cynodon dactylon
Cynomorium
cypress
devil\'s club
Dianthus
Dichrostachys glomerata
Didymocarpus
Dipsacus
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
elephant\'s head
Erodium cicutarium
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
European Elder
fang-feng
fern
ferula assafoetida
Ficus simplicissima
fu ling
Fuchsia
Galangal
Galium
garlic
geranium
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
goldenrod
goldenseal
goldthread
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heartsease
Herb Robert
Homalomena
honeysuckle
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
Isatis
Japanese sophora
joe-pye
Kachnar
Kokilaksha
Large-leaved linden
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
little ironweed
luffa
Lycopodium
Lysimachia
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Mountain mahogany
Mustard
Myrrh
onion
Onosma bracteatum
oregon grape
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
pagoda tree
Patrinia
paw paw
Pentatropis capensis
peony
Petiveria
Peucedanum
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Physalis angulata
Platycodon
platycodon root
Plumbago zeylanica
Polygonatum
Potentilla
Premna
prepared aconite tuber
Psacalium peltatum
Pulsatilla
punarnava
Quisqualis
reishi mushroom
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Sandy Everlasting
Sanguisorba
Sanicle
Scabrous Gentian
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
Sensitive Plant
serratiopeptidase
sheep's sorrel
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
Spanish Needle
Speedwell
Spilanthes
spruce
Stereospermum
Stone Root
sweet flag
Swertia
Taraxacin
Taxillus chinensis
Thuja
Trichosanthes
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Umckalin
Vervain
Violet
Water Pepper
White oak
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
Yellow Dock
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Other health conditions supported by garlic
AbscessesAntibiotics (alternatives to)
Arteriosclerosis
Asthma
Athlete's Foot
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Cough (general)
Cuts
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Ear Infection or Earache
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gangrene
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gonorrhea
