Evidence supporting the use of: Garlic bulb
For the health condition: Pertussis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Garlic bulb (Allium sativum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems for a variety of respiratory ailments, including pertussis (whooping cough). Historical texts from various cultures, including traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and European folk medicine, reference garlic as an expectorant, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting agent. In the context of pertussis, garlic was often used in the form of syrups, teas, or poultices to help ease cough, reduce the severity of symptoms, and potentially prevent secondary infections. The rationale for its traditional use lies in garlic’s pungent volatile oils (notably allicin), which were believed to have germicidal properties, and its general reputation for supporting respiratory health.

However, scientific evidence supporting the use of garlic specifically for pertussis is minimal. Few clinical trials have assessed garlic’s efficacy against Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium that causes whooping cough. Some laboratory studies demonstrate garlic’s broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including against some respiratory pathogens, but these findings have not been directly translated to clinical efficacy in pertussis. Modern guidelines for pertussis management do not include garlic. Thus, garlic’s use in pertussis is primarily justified by tradition, with only weak indirect evidence (hence an evidence rating of 1) supporting its potential benefit for this specific condition.

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