A. ursinum

Garlic has a long history as a healthful plant, having been used for medicinal purposes from as early as 3,000 b.c. Garlic is made up of sulfur compounds; amino acids; minerals, such as germanium, selenium, and zinc; and vitamins A, B, and C. Allicin, a sulfur-containing compound in garlic, is traditionally believed to be primarily responsible for most of the suggested benefits of garlic. Allicin is also responsible for garlic's unique odor.

A. ursinum and A. sativum share these constituents as well as a number of benefits. Both types of garlic help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, have antioxidant properties, and have antifungal and antibacterial properties. However, A. ursinum has a number of advantages over A. sativum. 

A. ursinum contains allicin and its related forms, as well as more ajoene (a degraded form of allicin) and its related forms, more y-glutamyl peptides (GLUT), and more than 20 times as much adenosine.

Current opinion states that the y-glutamyl peptides and ajoene result in an increase in the difference across the membrane of the vascular smooth muscle. This, in turn, results in a widening of blood vessels, which maintains healthy blood pressure.

y-glutamyl peptides have also been demonstrated to inhibit the actions of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), an enzyme released from the kidneys which regulates blood pressure.

Adenosine helps increase blood vessel width and can also reduce platelet aggregation (blood stickiness). It also acts as a muscle relaxant and as a protectant against poisons, such as caffeine.

A. ursinum is also ordorless; although, when you first open Bear Paw Garlic ™, the garlic odor is unmistakable. However, upon digestion the garlic odor is not as noticeable. This is because the leaves of A. ursinum contain substantial amounts of chlorophyll, which binds nitrogen compounds during digestion and thus prevents the development of the smell associated with the breakdown products of garlic. As well, allicin is found in lower concentrations in the leaves of A. ursinum. However, the lesser amounts of allicin are replaced by other related sulfur-containing constituents, so none of the benefits of allicin are lost.

In summary, A. ursinum has all the benefits of the A. sativum products that are found on the market. However, A. ursinum has three advantages over this domesticated garlic: 1) It has more of the active substances; 2) It has active substances not found in cultivated garlic, or found only when large quantities are taken; 3) It is odorless.

What do European publications have to say about A. ursinum?

"Accordingly Allium ursinum contains much more ajoene and an about twentyfold higher content of adenosine than its 'cultivated cousin.' Just these substances are the ones to which, according to recent studies, an essential part of the known allium effects such as reduction of cholesterine, inhibition of thrombocyte-aggregation, drop in blood pressure, improvement of blood-rheology and fibrinolysis are attributed."

Therapiewoch (November 1990)

". Allium ursinum is superior to Allium sativum, since the latter . has been overcultivated through several thousand years to a one-sided form."

Allgemeine Hom”opathische Zeitung 211 (1966)

"It is known of Allium ursinum that it possesses cholesterol and blood pressure regulating characteristics."

Natur Heilpraxis mit Naturmedizin (November 1995)

"The water and ethanol extracts of wild garlic were able to reduce the intensity of generated radicals. Thus, it can be assumed that . Allium ursinum has significant antioxidant properties."

Torek, et al. Central Research Laboratory, Pecs, Hungary