INDIVIDUAL HERBS

NAME: DA SUAN - 大蒜 - BULBUS ALLII SATIVI - GARLIC BULB

Pharmaceutical Latin: Bulbus Allii Sativi
Common English: Garlic Bulb

CATEGORY

Herbs that Expel Parasites (Anthelmintics)

PROPERTIES

Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Acrid
Warm
Stomach
Large Intestine
Spleen
Lung
4.5-15g
Acute infection: 8-20g eaten immediately
Tincture: 0.5-2ml

ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS

Actions Indications/Syndromes

Kills parasites

Hookworms and pinworms and, with appropriate herbs for other types of intestinal parasites

Tinea of the scalp

Disperses abscesses and reduces swellings

Primarily for early stages of abscesses and sores (internally and topically)

Resolves toxicity

Tinea and other pruritic rashes (primarily topically)

Warms the Stomach, strengthens the Spleen, promotes the movement of Qi, reduces Stagnation and resolves toxicity

Diarrhea and dysenteric disorders due to epidemic toxins or Food Stagnation (can be used as a stand-alone herb for mild cases of Food Stagnation)

Prevents influenza and treats shellfish poisoning

Bacterial and viral epidemics

Shellfish poisoning

CONTRAINDICATIONS, INCOMPATIBILITIES AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with Yin Deficiency with Heat signs.
  • Contraindicated for those with Liver and Kidney Fire.
  • Contraindicated for those with Qi and Blood Deficiency.
  • Contraindicated for those with leg Qi.
  • Contraindicated for those with Wind disorder.
  • Contraindicated in the aftermath of a seasonal contagious disorder
  • Contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.
  • Contraindicated for those with pox, rash or sores.
  • Contraindicated for those with malarial disorders
  • Contraindicated for those with bleeding.
  • Contraindicated for those with eye disorders.
  • Do not apply topically for long.
  • Contraindicated for those with premature ejaculation or spermatorrhea.
  • Contraindicated internally for those with mouth, gums, throat, teeth. or tongue problems.
  • Contraindicated topically to the perianal area during pregnancy.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • This herb should be used with caution when used in conjunction with antidiabetics such as: insulin, tolbutamide (Orinase), glipizide (Glucotrol), and glyburide (DiaBeta/Micronase) as there may be a synergistic effect leading to hypoglycemia.
  • Fresh Da Suan, reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin for vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

MAJOR COMBINATIONS

Sm. Arecae
Bing Lang
Fr. Carpesi
He Shi
Cx. Meliae
Ku Lian Pi

Rz. Coptidis
Huang Lian

Vinegar Soaked

Dislodges and expels roundworms and hookworms and other intestinal parasites

Damp-Heat dysenteric disorders, consumption and sudden coughing

Abdominal Cold and pain from Cold Qi lodged in the Intestines and Stomach

Sesame Oil

Rice Gruel

Natrii Sulfas
Mang Xiao
Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang

Topically for toxic swellings

Consumption

Intestinal abscess

Sm. Oryzae (30g)
Geng Mi
Rz. Bletillae (3g)
Bai Ji

Fol. Perillae
Zi Su Ye
Rz. Zingiberis Recens
Sheng Jiang

 

With 30g Da Suan, made into a porridge and taken twice daily for ninety days to treat tuberculosis

Various types of food poisoning

 

NOTES

  1. This herb reaches all five Yin organs and all of the orifices.
  2. It has a wide variety of actions. It treats accumulation of thin mucus or Food Stagnation, particularly meat, Cold pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, distention and fullness associated with Fluid Retention, diarrhea, malarial disorders, whooping cough, toxic swollen sores and snakebite.
  3. Ground into a paste and applied to the umbilicus, it eliminates edema and facilitates the movement of stool and urine.
  4. Bandaged to the middle of the sole of the foot, it guides Heat downward to treat diarrhea, sudden turmoil dysenteric disorder and stops nosebleeds.
  5. Decoct and take once a day for six days to treat diarrhea and dysentery. It can also be used as an enema.
  6. Take 5g to 10g daily with meals or use a 10% solution as nasal drops to prevent viral infection.
  7. Do not use on the head.
  8. It can be used as a preventative against pinworms by mashing it and applying it around the anus or rubbing it as a paste on areas which may be exposed to hookworms.
  9. Some sources say that this herb induces diaphoresis and can treat febrile diseases, arteriosclerosis, and hypertension.
  10. One source says not to decoct.
  11. It is commonly used as a food and is considered to be good for the cardiovascular system and has certain cancer-fighting attributes. It can be taken daily to promote health, but excessive use is sometimes associated with eye deterioration.
  12. It helps to neutralize toxins and relieve pain caused by centipede bites.
  13. Grind and mix with sesame oil and salt into a paste to apply topically for itching, rashes and swelling of the skin.
  14. Crush 30g into a paste and soak it in twice as much water for 12 hours, filter and mix with a small portion of sugar to treat whooping cough. Administer three times daily for ten to fifteen days.
  15. Apply topically as a paste for vaginitis due to amoebae or trichomonas.
  16. Apply as a 10% solution into the nostrils and take 5g to 10g with every meal to prevent influenza, encephalitis and other infectious diseases.