Garlic has been known to help keeping cholesterol under control. A new study is now suggesting supplements of the pungent herb may be useful in reducing high blood pressure as well. The study, which itself was a review of 11 pervious studies, found regular intake of garlic supplements to be useful in reducing high blood pressure levels. The researchers from The University of Adelaide in South Australia analyzed 11 studies where patients were assigned to either take garlic supplements or a placebo.

大蒜以降低膽固醇而出名。一項新的研究表明，刺激性草本植物的補充對降低高血壓也是有用的。這項研究是對以前11項研究的回顧，研究發現經常補充大蒜的攝入有利于降低高血壓水平。來自位于南澳大利亞的阿德萊德大學的研究人員對這十一項研究進行了分析，研究中患者被分為兩組：一組服用大蒜，一組服用安慰劑。

In a majority of the 11 studies, the doses of garlic supplementation were 600 mg to 900 mg daily. Most participants also took it on powdered form.

十一項研究中，大多數的進補量為每日600－900毫克。多數參與者還服用粉劑。

Overall garlic supplements were responsible for reducing systolic blood pressure by 4.6 mm Hg, on average. When the researchers examined patients with high blood pressure only, they found garlic supplements reduced systolic blood pressure by 8.4 mm Hg, on average, and diastolic blood pressure by 7.3 mm Hg.

全部進補大蒜者收縮壓平均降低 4.6 mm Hg。當研究人員對只患有高血壓的病人進行檢查時，他們發現進補大蒜平均降低收縮壓 8.4 mm Hg，舒張壓7.3 mm Hg。

Systolic blood pressure denotes the upper reading, while diastolic blood pressure denotes lower reading. Normal blood pressure levels are usually considered to be 120/80 mm of Hg (Mercury).

收縮壓表示為上面的讀數；而舒張壓表示為下面的讀數。人們認為正常的血壓水平為120/80 mm汞柱。

In the current study researchers found the higher a person's blood pressure levels, the more significant effect garlic supplements had.

在當前的研究中，研究人員發現，一個人的血壓水平越高，進補大蒜的作用越顯著。

Reporting in the journal BMC Cardiovascular disorders, lead researcher Dr Karin Ried, of Adelaide University in South Australia, and colleagues said the effects of garlic were similar to widely used anti0hypertensive medicines like beta blockers.

報告發表在《英國醫學委員會心血管疾病雜志》上，研究小組組長--來自位于南澳大利亞的阿德萊德大學的卡林*里德博士及其同事們在報告中說，大蒜的作用與廣泛應用的象β受體阻滯劑那樣的降壓藥相似。

Called Allium sativum, garlic is one of the most studied herbs in relation to heart benefits. Since times immemorial its potential heart benefits have been touted, but no conclusive evidence has emerged.

大蒜是被研究得最多的有利于心臟的草本植物之一。自遠古時代起，其可能利于心臟的作用就受到吹捧，但結論性的證據尚未出現。

According to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, garlic is also used to prevent certain types of cancer, including stomach and colon cancers, but there is no scientific evidence to support this theory. Garlic might also be used in preventing the development of atherosclerosis, which hardens arteries and is the first step in the development of heart disease.

據美國國家補充替代醫學中心報告，大蒜還用于預防包括胃癌和結腸癌在內的某種類型的癌癥，但沒有科學依據支持這一理論。大蒜可能還被用于防止動脈硬化癥的發展，該病使動脈變硬，也是心臟病發展的第一步。

Garlic must be used with caution in people who have a bleeding disorder, because it is a powerful blood thinner. Other side effects include bad breath, body odor, heartburn, upset stomach, and allergic reactions.

大蒜必須謹慎用于患有出血性疾病的人，因為它是一種強有力的血液稀釋劑。其它副作用為：口臭、體臭、胃灼燒、肚子痛、以及過敏反應。

If results of the above study are duplicated in larger trials, then people with high blood pressure may have a natural vegetable/herb for reducing their hypertension status.

如果以上研究在大規模試驗中得到證實，那么高血壓患者則會有一種天然的蔬菜（或草本植物）來改善高血壓狀況。