Are garlic supplements safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about garlic supplements during pregnancy?

1. Garlic may not be safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding when taken by mouth in amounts greater than those found in foods, which is the line between cooking with it and supplementing with it. 1
2. Garlic supplements may increase the risk of bleeding, which matters especially before surgery or alongside anticoagulants and aspirin, so providers need to know you are taking them. 1
3. High levels of garlic in pregnancy are advised against because garlic contains alliin, which acts as a blood thinner, and even topical garlic on the skin can cause dermatitis and burns. 2
4. There is not enough evidence to show whether garlic helps people avoid catching colds, and a 2022 review found only two small studies suggesting possible benefit, both with weaknesses in their design. 3
5. Garlic is recognized as safe as a food flavoring, but supplements do not require extensive premarketing approval and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. 4

Is garlic supplements safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. Garlic capsules are a common addition to early-pregnancy immune routines, and they are the part worth dropping. Garlic in food stays fine. If the smell has become intolerable, that is a normal first-trimester aversion, not a safety signal.
• Second trimester. If you take garlic supplements for cholesterol or blood pressure, that is a conversation to have rather than a decision to make alone, since stopping and continuing both have implications. Bring the product to your visit so the dose is visible.
• Third trimester. The bleeding question matters most here. Garlic has anti-platelet effects, so tell whoever is managing your delivery about any garlic supplement well before a scheduled cesarean or induction, and before any procedure requiring anesthesia.