Summary:

Bear's garlic, so named because brown bears in Europe tend to feast upon it, is a wild relative of the chive that is popularly used as a flavoring or dietary vegetable in the Central European cuisine. Bear's garlic has been confused with lily of the valley and autumn crocus, especially in the spring before flowering. Several cases of colchicine poisoning due to consumption of autumn crocus mistaken for bear's garlic have been reported in recent years.

Uses:

No available studies qualify for inclusion in the grading table.

Safety:

Avoid if allergic or hypersensitive to bear's garlic or other members of the Alliaceae family. Although there are no known toxicities associated with consumption of bear's garlic, several reports of colchicine poisoning, resulting in gastroenterocolitis and sometimes fatal organ dysfunction, have been reported in people who consumed autumn crocus that was mistaken for bear's garlic. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Possible side effects:

Bear's garlic is not listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) generally recommended as safe (GRAS) list. Although there are no known toxicities associated with consumption of bear's garlic, several reports of colchicine poisoning, resulting in gastroenterocolitis and sometimes fatal organ dysfunction, have been reported in people who consumed autumn crocus that was mistaken for bear's garlic.

Possible interactions:

Anti-inflammatory agents, antiplatelet agents (blood thinners), and herbs and supplements with similar effects.

Dosing:

Adults (18 years and older):

Not enough scientific data available.

Children (younger than 18 years):

Not enough scientific data available.