PlainPill

Garlic

People mainly take Garlic for heart & lipids, immunity, libido. Based on 55 first-hand reports and 142 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #290 of 1,974 overall.

35
User score
Mostly positive
27% positive7% mixed0% negative65% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 79% are positive.

Clinical research
AStrong research base
142
meta-analyses
194
RCTs
8,859
papers

What Garlic does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

AStrong research base

3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Medicina (Kaunas) · 2021 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Ayurvedic Herbal Preparations for Hypercholesterolemia

Conclusion: Conclusion: There is moderate to high level of evidence from randomized controlled trials that the Ayurvedic herbs guggulu, garlic, and black cumin are moderately effective for reducing hypercholesterolemia. In addition, minimal evidence was found for any side effects associated with these herbs, positioning them as safe adjuvants to conventional treatments.

PubMed 34071454 ↗
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr · 2023 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Garlic: A systematic review of the effects on cardiovascular diseases

Conclusion: It also can increase the levels of HDL-c and can improve cardiovascular parameters such as coronary artery calcium, microcirculation, epicardial and periaortic adipose tissue, post occlusive reactive hyperemia, low attenuation plaque, carotid intima-media thickness; and carotid intima-media thickness. Due to these reasons, garlic can be considered in the prevention and treatment of CVD risk factors.

PubMed 35193446 ↗
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr · 2023 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Use of food and food-derived products in the treatment of gastritis: A systematic review

Conclusion: We found 28 clinical studies evaluating garlic, turmeric, red peppers, broccoli sprouts, cranberry juice, honey, oils, and probiotics contained in different foods, such as juices, yogurt, and cheese. The existing literature presents a high risk of bias, and results of the same should be evaluated and replicated with precaution; more rigorous clinical studies are lacking.

PubMed 34989280 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

1-2 clovesdaily
dailyas reported
capsuleat first sign of cold
3 bulbsas reported
2000 mgas reported
2 pillsdaily

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

nausea ×1headache ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“I also take D3, garlic and zinc that have proven effect in boosting immune system”
Source discussion ↗
“Allicin (Garlic) (antimicrobial”
Source discussion ↗
“I second the garlic recommendation. I started taking it recently and my chronic pain has diminished.”
Source discussion ↗
“the only things i've tried that shrinks them are lysine, melatonin, erythritol, lycopene, b-vitamins, and garlic.”
Source discussion ↗
“Ever since taking Garlic everyday I have never had cold 4 years and counting”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

Other options for heart & lipids

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate