What is it used for?
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve the symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections and catarrhal conditions (such as nasal congestion/buildup of excess mucus) [Source note 3].
Used in Herbal Medicine to help reduce elevated blood lipid levels (hyperlipidemia) in adults [Source note 4].
Used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain cardiovascular health in adults [Source note 5].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Used in Herbal Medicine to help reduce elevated blood lipid levels and to help maintain cardiovascular health in adults).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Garlic is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve the symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections and catarrhal conditions).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
Who does this guide cover?
As specified below
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Acceptable dosage forms by age group:
Children 2 years: The acceptable dosage forms are limited to emulsion/suspension and solution/ liquid preparations (Giacoia et al. 2008; EMA/CHMP 2006).
Children 3-5 years: The acceptable dosage forms are limited to chewables, emulsion/ suspension, powders and solution/liquid preparations (Giacoia et al. 2008; EMA/CHMP 2006).
Children 6-11 years, Adolescents 12-17 years, and Adults 18 years and older: The Although delayed release dosage forms are usually not supported by the source authority's references, this reference includes the following dosage forms commonly used for garlic products: Capsule, enteric-coated; Capsule, soft, enteric-coated; Capsule, enteric-coated pellets; Granule enteric-coated; Tablet, enteric-coated; Tablets, enteric-coated granules.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
| Subpopulation(s)¹,² | Subpopulation(s)¹,² | Garlic dried bulb (g/day) / Minimum | Garlic dried bulb (g/day) / Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children | |||
| Children | 2-4 years | 0.08 g | 2 g |
| Children | 5-9 years | 0.1 g | 3 g |
| Children | 10-11 years | 0.2 g | 6 g |
| Adolescents | |||
| Adolescents | 12-14 years | 0.2 g | 6 g |
| Adolescents | 15-17 years | 0.5 g | 12 g |
| Adults | 18 years and older | 0.5 g | 12 g |
¹Children and adolescent doses were calculated as a proportion of the adult dose [Source note 6]. The use of garlic in children is supported by the following references: McIntyre 2005; Bove 2001; Schilcher 1997. ²Adult dose supported by the following references: Kojuri et al. 2007; Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003; Kannar et al. 2001; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Bradley 1992.
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation “Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract)” as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
Methods of preparation: Standardized extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
| Subpopulation(s)¹,² | Subpopulation(s)¹,² | Minimum (mg/day) / Allicin | Minimum (mg/day) / Alliin | Maximum (mg/day) / Allicin | Maximum (mg/day) / Alliin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children | |||||
| Children | 2-4 years | 0.17 mg | 0.3 mg | 2 mg | 4.5 mg |
| Children | 5-9 years | 0.25 mg | 0.5 mg | 3 mg | 7 mg |
| Children | 10-11 years | 0.5 mg | 1 mg | 6 mg | 14 mg |
| Adolescents | |||||
| Adolescents | 12-14 years | 0.5 mg | 1 mg | 6 mg | 14 mg |
| Adolescents | 15-17 years | 1 mg | 2 mg | 12 mg | 27 mg |
| Adults | 18 years and older | 1 mg | 2 mg | 12 mg | 27 mg |
¹Children and adolescent doses were calculated as a proportion of the adult dose [Source note 7]. The use of garlic in children is supported by the following references: McIntyre 2005; Bove 2001; Schilcher 1997. ²Adult dose for allicin supported by the following references: Kojuri et al. 2007; Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003; Kannar et al. 2001; Bradley 1992. Adult dose for alliin calculated based on the conversion ratio of 0.45 mg allicin: 1 mg alliin [Source note 8].
Method of preparation: Oil, Essential (water steam distillation)
| Subpopulation(s) | Subpopulation(s) | Garlic essential oil (mg/day) / Minimum | Garlic essential oil (mg/day) / Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults¹ | 18 years and older | 2 mg | 5 mg |
¹Adult dose supported by the following reference: Bradley 1992.
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Warnings and precautions
Relief of upper respiratory tract infections and catarrhal (nasal congestion) conditions
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
All uses
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking blood thinners or protease inhibitors [Source note 9].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant [Source note 10].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have diabetes [Source note 11].
When should it be avoided?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Possible side effects
Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs [Source note 12].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Conditions for combined preparations
No permitted combinations between the two active ingredients listed in Tables 1 and 2.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
Garlic dried bulb
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allium sativum | Garlic | Allium sativum | Bulb | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Common name: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: ESCOP 2003; Bradley 1992.
Garlic essential oil
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allium sativum | Garlic essential oil | Allium sativum | Bulb |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Source information: ESCOP 2003; Bradley 1992.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- January 30, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.