the Captivating History of Garlic (and Its Medicinal Qualities)

Garlic has been valued for thousands of years, not only for its distinctive and strong flavor, but also for its medicinal properties. Famous for its antiviral and antimicrobial properties, garlic has long been an indispensable ingredient in kitchens and traditional medicine. Garlic originated in Central Asia, and it was through migrant communities that it spread to Europe and the United States. The cultural and spiritual interpretation of garlic spans millennia. The ancient Greeks used to leave garlic at crossroads to honor Hecate, the goddess of spells and guardian of homes. Garlic was found in the tomb of the famous Pharaoh Tutankhamun in Egypt, as it was believed to protect him in the afterlife. There are legends in Chinese and Philippine folklore that tell of how people used garlic to ward off vampires. The potent antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties of garlic were corroborated by a 2014 study conducted at the University of Sydney, Australia. Garlic has high concentrations of sulfur, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc, and intermediate levels of manganese, iron, and magnesium. "It's like a miracle vegetable," says Bahee Van de Bor, a pediatric dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association. "It has lovely sulfur compounds called allicins. It's rich in prebiotic fibers, which are very beneficial for the gut, so it's excellent for digestive health. It also has antimicrobial properties," she adds, explaining that the fiber in garlic helps feed gut bacteria and can be useful in combating bloating and constipation.