Evidence supporting the use of: Garlic bulb
For the body system: Spleen

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Garlic bulb (Allium sativum) is traditionally used in various systems of medicine, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is sometimes utilized to support digestive health and, by association, the Spleen system. In TCM, the Spleen is considered vital for digestion and the transformation of food into energy ("Qi"). Garlic is thought to have warming and dispersing properties, helping to resolve dampness and improve digestive function, which TCM associates with a healthy Spleen.

However, in the context of Western scientific research, the concept of the "Spleen system" as understood in TCM does not directly map onto the anatomical spleen or its immune functions. Most scientific studies on garlic focus on its cardiovascular, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, rather than direct effects on the spleen or digestive system per se. While garlic has some evidence supporting its use for gastrointestinal health (e.g., as a prebiotic or to reduce certain infections), there is limited or indirect evidence that it specifically supports the spleen in the Western biomedical sense.

In summary, garlic's use for the Spleen system is primarily rooted in traditional medicine frameworks, especially TCM, rather than scientific validation specific to spleen support. The strength of evidence for this traditional use is moderate within its historical context but weak from a modern biomedical perspective.

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