Allium
Allium, commonly known as garlic, onion, or leek, is a versatile genus of flowering plants prized for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Rich in organosulfur compounds like allicin, these plants offer potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making them essential staples in traditional wellness and modern nutritional science.
- Scientific name: Allium
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Amaryllidaceae. Finally, the medicinal specimen is identified by its specific genus, Allium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Amaryllidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Allium | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several specific regions within Northern Europe. In the coastal and mainland areas of Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Denmark. Its presence extends further north to the rugged landscapes of Finland. Additionally, the species is established within the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range reaches the unique environments of Iceland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
Chemicals
Allium has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include allicin, (Z)-ajoene, Diallyl sulfide, S-allyl mercaptocysteine, S-allyl-l-cysteine.
- Total chemicals
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| allicin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (Z)-ajoene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diallyl sulfide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| S-allyl mercaptocysteine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| S-allyl-l-cysteine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ajoene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allylmercaptan | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allylmethylsulfide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allylsulfide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Allium has 14 reported activities identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antitumor, Antioxidant, Antithrombotic, Hypoglycemic.
- Total activities
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 25
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antithrombotic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiatherosclerotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticoagulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Allium has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, Cardiovascular diseases, acantholysis, cancers, cardiovascular diseases.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acantholysis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pemphigus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhinitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |