Croton membranaceus seedlings

An erect, hardy and bulbous perennial herb up to 60 cm in height, with a central bulb covered in scales in the axil. Several scientific studies have shown that garlic has antihyperlipidaemic, antihypertensive and anticoagulant properties (Auer et al., 1990; Broche et al., 1990; Barrie et al., 1987). The herb’s many therapeutic actions are attributed to the compound allicin and its metabolites. For example allicin and its corresponding sulphide inhibit the proliferation of several human nonleukaemia malignant cells in vitro. In vitro studies have shown that ajoene possesses antithrombotic, anti-microbial and cholesterol lowering properties; ajoene exhibited inhibitory effects on platelet activation (Apitz-Castro et al., 1986),