Amaryllidaceae
Bear’s Garlic
Allium ursinum
✓ Generally Safe
Safe in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, Northern Asia
Also known as: Wild Garlic, Ramsons, Buckrams, Wood Garlic
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
LeafFlowerBulb
Therapeutic Uses
Hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, cardiovascular protection, digestive complaints, respiratory infections, detoxification. Wild garlic spring tonic.
Herbal Actions
Antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antioxidant, cardiovascular protective, hypolipidemic, digestive, detoxifying
Active Constituents
Allicin (fresh — high), adenosine, flavonoids, vitamins C and B, minerals, organosulfides (similar to garlic but different compounds)
Preparation Methods
Food🏺 TinctureJuice
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | Fresh leaves: handful daily as food (pesto, soup, salad) |
| Tincture | Fresh leaf juice: 30ml 2–3x daily. Tincture (1:3, 25% ethanol): 3–5 ml 3x daily. |
| Notes | Fresh spring herb — season short (March–May). Best eaten raw (crush releases allicin). Traditional European spring blood-cleansing herb. Superior to cultivated garlic for some conditions. Identify carefully (toxic lookalikes: lily of valley, lords and ladies). |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Safe in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Anticoagulants. CONFIRM CORRECT IDENTIFICATION — toxic lookalikes. Otherwise very safe.
Side Effects: Body odour. GI irritation (excess). Blood thinning. Very safe when correctly identified.