Is Garlic a tamasic vajikarana?

[Guest guest]

There was recently a very good debate about garlic and hypertension.

 

I have read that among some practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine,

garlic is held in high regard as an aphrodisiac and for its ability to

increase semen...

 

The following is an excerpt from Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr David Frawley's

book "Yoga of Herbs":

 

GARLIC is a powerful rejuvenative herb. It is a rasayana for vata,

and also, to a lesser degree, for Kapha, for the bone and nerve

tissue. It also is a powerful detoxifier and is good for chronic or

periodic (Vata) fevers. It cleanses Ama and Kapha from the blood and

lymphatics. Yet its heating attribute can aggravate the blood and

cause or aggravate bleeding.

 

Its quality is tamasic. Garlic can increase dullness of mind while,

on the other hand, may increase "groundedness." It increases semen

but also has an irritant effect upon the reproductive organs. So

while good as a medicine, garlic may not be a good common-usage herb

for those practicing yoga.

 

I would like to know if there is any mention of garlic in the main

ayurvedic texts on this subject of it being tamasic and increase semen

while stimulating the reproductive organs to release semen?

 

My own experience with garlic (especially raw) is that it has this

sedative effect which is strongly perceived as dullness of the mind

while it readily increase shukra dhatu but also increase desire for

having sex.

 

I would be most interested in any ayurvedic references, also I would

like the opinion of ayurvedic vaidyas present here.

 

Thanks,

 

Ole