Bawang

Also known as: Garlic · Allium sativum (binomial name) · Ajo (Spanish name) · Bawang Tagalog (native garlic)

Definition

Bawang (Allium sativum L.), commonly known as garlic, is a bulbous herbaceous perennial plant native to Central Asia. It is officially recognized as one of the ten medicinal plants clinically validated and approved by the Department of Health (DOH) through the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC). In the Philippines, bawang is widely used as an herbal medicine for its anti-cholesterol, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial properties, and is manufactured as standardized dietary capsules and culinary preparations. (Official Gazette)

Identities

Source Type	Identity
Wikipedia	Garlic
Wikidata	Q23858
DBpedia	Garlic
ProductOntology	N/A
Wiktionary	bawang
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)	Garlic — Therapeutic use — Philippines
MeSH	Garlic
NCBI Taxonomy	Allium sativum (taxid: 4682)
AGROVOC	Allium sativum
Google Scholar	Bawang Allium sativum cholesterol hypertension Philippines DOH
ConceptNet	garlic
OpenCyc	N/A

Also Known As

Garlic
Allium sativum (binomial name)
Ajo (Spanish name)
Bawang Tagalog (native garlic)

Examples and Analogies

Standardized Garlic Pills: Commercial dietary supplements containing dried garlic powder or aged garlic extract, registered with the FDA for blood pressure and cholesterol support.
Contrast with Synthetic Statins: While synthetic statins (such as atorvastatin) chemically inhibit HMG-CoA reductase in the liver to lower cholesterol, garlic contains organosulfur compounds (such as allicin) that act as moderate, natural inhibitors of lipid synthesis with fewer systemic side effects.

Usage Scenarios

1. Managing Mild Hypertension

A patient diagnosed with borderline high blood pressure consumes aged garlic extract capsules daily to complement dietary adjustments. (Inquirer)

2. Traditional Expectorant Preparation

A mother prepares crushed raw garlic steeped in warm honey as a home remedy to ease a family member’s sore throat. (Official Gazette)

Strategies

Consume garlic raw or lightly crushed to preserve allicin, the active organosulfur compound that degrades with excessive heat.
Opt for standardized, odor-controlled commercial garlic supplements if you experience gastrointestinal discomfort from raw garlic.
Verify that any commercial garlic capsule is registered under the FDA’s dietary supplement registry.

Security and Safety Measures

Do not use garlic supplements as a replacement for prescribed antihypertensive or cholesterol-lowering medications without medical advice.
Consult a physician before consuming high doses of garlic if you are taking blood thinners (e.g., warfarin or aspirin), as garlic has mild antiplatelet effects.
Discontinue high-dose garlic supplementation at least two weeks before scheduled surgery to minimize bleeding risks.

Historical Context

Garlic has been utilized for culinary and medicinal purposes in the Philippines for centuries, imported via trade routes and cultivated extensively in regions like Ilocos. In the late 20th century, the National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP) conducted clinical studies confirming garlic’s ability to lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. The Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997 subsequently formalized its status, recommending garlic as a key preventive dietary supplement. (Official Gazette)

Challenges and Controversies

Gastrointestinal Irritation

Excessive consumption of raw garlic can lead to heartburn, stomach upset, and damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa, highlighting the need for controlled dosing.

Misleading “Cure” Claims

Online markets often sell unregistered garlic supplements claiming to cure cardiovascular disease, violating FDA labeling guidelines and misleading consumers.