---
title: "Black Garlic: Benefits, Uses & Side Effects | Herbadex"
description: "In one small trial, black garlic extract slightly lowered diastolic blood pressure; cholesterol results are inconsistent. Take care with blood thinners."
language: en
url: https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-garlic/
source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com)
---

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

# Black Garlic

Allium sativum

B Limited clinical evidence

In one small trial, black garlic extract slightly lowered diastolic blood pressure; cholesterol results are inconsistent. Take care with blood thinners.

[Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/)

 

![](/illustrations/diger.svg)B Black Garlic

Pregnancy **Caution**

Breastfeeding **Caution**

Children **Unknown**

Drug interactions **Interaction reported**

## At a glance

Black garlic is made by keeping fresh garlic at controlled heat and humidity for weeks; the cloves turn black, soft and sweetish. In a study of 67 people with moderately high cholesterol, its extract slightly lowered diastolic blood pressure but did not significantly change cholesterol. The evidence is limited.

**Parts used:** bulb (cloves)

**Key constituents:** S-allyl cysteine (SAC), Polyphenols, Melanoidins

Updated: October 24, 2026

Sources and research limitations appear below. The existence of a source does not mean every use has been clinically verified.

## What is it used for?

-   B Limited clinical evidence
    
    In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 67 adults with moderately high cholesterol, 250 mg of aged black garlic extract daily lowered diastolic blood pressure by about 3.7 mmHg after 6 weeks; systolic pressure and cholesterol values did not change significantly. In an uncontrolled 12-week study where people ate 12 g of black garlic a day, lipid values also did not change in the high-cholesterol group. \[2\] \[3\]
    

## How is it used?

### Food

Black garlic is eaten as food; one study used about 4 cloves (12 g) a day. There is no verified dose for extract supplements.

\[3\] \[2\]

## Safety & interactions

-   If you take blood thinners or aspirin, ask your doctor before using a black garlic supplement; garlic supplements may increase bleeding risk.
-   Tell your doctor before surgery if you take garlic supplements.
-   Garlic in amounts above food may not be safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding; do not use supplements.
-   People allergic to garlic should also avoid black garlic.
-   Black garlic studies are small and mostly industry-funded; do not stop blood pressure or cholesterol medicine on your own.

\[1\] \[2\]

### Drug interactions

| Medicine / substance | Effect | Severity |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Blood thinners and aspirin | Garlic supplements may increase bleeding risk. There are no separate data for black garlic; use the same caution and ask your doctor. [1] | Moderate |

### Side effects

-   Breath and body odour, abdominal pain, flatulence and nausea (reported for garlic)
-   Allergic reactions
-   No serious side effects were reported in studies

#### ⚕ When to see a doctor

-   If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
-   If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
-   If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs

## Frequently asked questions

Does black garlic lower blood pressure?

In a randomized trial of 67 people, its extract lowered diastolic blood pressure by about 3.7 mmHg after 6 weeks, without changing systolic pressure. It is a single small study and does not replace blood pressure medicine.

Does black garlic lower cholesterol?

In studies, LDL and total cholesterol did not fall significantly in people with high cholesterol. It has not been shown to work for this purpose.

What is the difference between black garlic and regular garlic?

Black garlic is made by keeping fresh garlic in a warm, humid environment for weeks; it tastes sweeter and smells milder. Studies on regular garlic cannot be applied directly to black garlic.

Does black garlic thin the blood?

There are no separate data for black garlic, but garlic supplements are known to possibly increase bleeding risk. Ask your doctor if you take blood thinners.

Can I eat black garlic while pregnant?

Apart from small amounts in food, garlic above food amounts may not be safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Do not use supplements or extracts.

## Sources

Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval.

1.  [Garlic: Usefulness and Safety](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic) NIH NCCIH · 2025 · Official agency information Source accessed: October 20, 2026
2.  [Effects of an Optimized Aged Garlic Extract on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Moderate Hypercholesterolemic Subjects: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, Sustained and Controlled Study](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030405) Nutrients · 2022 · Randomized controlled trial Source accessed: October 24, 2026
3.  [Effect of Black Garlic Consumption on Endothelial Function and Lipid Profile: A Before-and-After Study in Hypercholesterolemic and Non-Hypercholesterolemic Subjects](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15143138) Nutrients · 2023 · Observational study / case series Source accessed: October 24, 2026

### Cite This Page

Black Garlic (Allium sativum). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-garlic/

## Related guides and comparisons

-   [Herbal Products and Drug Interactions](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/herb-drug-interactions/)

## Related plant and preparations

[Garlic](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/garlic/)

## On this page

At a glance What is it used for? How is it used? Safety & interactions Frequently asked questions Sources Related herbs

## Related herbs

### [Psyllium Husk](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/psyllium-husk/)

A Strong clinical evidence

Plantago ovata

Taken with plenty of water, psyllium husk helps soften stools in constipation; keep a gap between it and other medicines.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Horse Chestnut](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/horse-chestnut/)

A Strong clinical evidence

Aesculus hippocastanum

Standardised horse chestnut seed extract may help chronic venous insufficiency with swollen, heavy, aching legs; never eat raw conkers.

[Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

### [Black Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-tea/)

A Strong clinical evidence

Camellia sinensis

Its caffeine can increase attention and alertness. Observational studies link regular tea drinking to lower cardiovascular risk.

[Energy & Focus](https://herbadex.com/en/for/energy-focus/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

### [Black Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-seed/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Nigella sativa

A spice seed for which small studies saw modest falls in blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. Kitchen amounts are safe.

[Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) +1

[Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/)

![](/illustrations/tohum.svg)C Chia Seed

### [Chia Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/chia-seed/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Salvia hispanica

Chia seed has been linked to small drops in systolic blood pressure and waist size in overweight adults; do not swallow it dry, soak it in liquid first.

[Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/)

[Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/)

 

### [Garlic](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/garlic/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Allium sativum

Garlic powder is traditionally used to help prevent hardening of the arteries, and garlic extract to relieve symptoms of the common cold.

[Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Immunity](https://herbadex.com/en/for/immunity/)

[Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/)

## Other herbs in the same preparation form (Clay, Soap & Other)

[Clay, Soap & Other →](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

 

### [Aloe Vera](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/aloe-vera/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

Aloe vera inner-leaf gel may shorten healing time in some burn studies. This entry covers topical use; swallowing yellow aloe latex carries notable risks.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

 

### [Ashwagandha](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ashwagandha/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Ashwagandha root extracts have limited evidence for stress and sleep. Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding and liver disease; drug interactions are possible.

[Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Men’s Health](https://herbadex.com/en/for/mens-health/)

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

![](/illustrations/diger.svg)C Cranberry

### [Cranberry](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cranberry/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Cranberry products may lower the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections; they do not clear an existing infection. People on warfarin should ask first.

[Liver, Kidney & Urinary](https://herbadex.com/en/for/liver-kidney/)

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

![](/illustrations/diger.svg)P Pomegranate

### [Pomegranate](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/pomegranate/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Punica granatum

Pomegranate and its juice are linked to small blood pressure drops in studies; people on warfarin or statins should take care. Avoid eating peel in quantity.

[Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/)

[Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/)

This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.
