USE OF GARLIC AND ITS THERAPEUTIC EFFECT IN THE TREATMENT OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN THE ELDERLY IN BRAZIL

Abstract

This article sought to describe the mechanism of action of garlic and its therapeutic effect in the treatment of hypertension in the elderly, making a comparison with conventional antihypertensive drugs. This study was performed from a bibliographic review of the integrative type about the proposed theme. The information was searched in Google Scholar, Lilacs and SciELO databases. The terms used for the search of the articles were: "Garlic", "Hypertension", "Elderly", "Medicinal Plants", using Boolean descriptors and exclusion and selection criteria. Scientific studies show that garlic is widely used by elderly people affected by arterial hypertension, because they traditionally use medicinal plants for preventive and curative purposes, for its low cost and greater adherence to treatment. Its mechanism of action is due to the presence of allicin and other components responsible for the hypotensive action, since in comparison with conventional antihypertensive drugs garlic has equal or similar effect, and the concomitant use can increase the effect of the drug, bringing the need for a qualified professional for proper guidance of use. Since hypertension is a disease that has no cure, garlic can be used as an alternative or complementary therapy in the treatment, resulting in the hypotensive effect.