History of Garlic and Garlic Facts

The history of garlic is a long and illustrious one. Garlic is derived from the old English term garleac, which means "spear leek". Garlic has been used for over 60 centuries, especially in Asia, as a medicinal and culinary ingredient.

Many ancient civilizations, including the Romans, Greeks as well as Egyptians, used garlic to boost strength and prevent diseases. It was said garlic made Egyptian builders stronger and Roman legions more courageous.

Share YOUR Knowledge and Experiences
or Read Others' Contributions

Click here for more pages and articles on Garlic.

A note about the History of Garlic and Garlic Facts

Herbs are God and nature's gifts to us. While the use of herbs and herb remedies has brought excellent results for many people, do note that their health benefits may be limited when they are used in isolation. However, when combined with some basic dietary and lifestyle good health habits, such as a full body detox and a proper understanding and application of nutrition, the impact on one's health will be greatly magnified.

In natural health and healing, we believe that the body has the ability to heal itself of any disease, even supposedly incurable diseases. We also believe in holistic health and healing, as we realize that different parts of the human body are highly interlinked, often beyond Man’s understanding. It is thus a good idea to apply these fundamental health steps no matter how remote or unrelated a health condition may seem.

History has documented a lot of interesting garlic facts and details about the uses of the herb. Some of this garlic information is as stated below:

  • As mentioned earlier, the history of garlic involved a lot of the ancient cultures. For example, garlic was worshipped by ancient Egyptians, although they were also said to have had a strong aversion towards cooking and eating it.

  • Recorded history of garlic in Korea indicates that the traditional six-clove black garlic was given to women to bless them with supernatural powers and immortality!

  • According to Christian mythology, after Satan vanished from the Garden of Eden, garlic grew from his left footprint and onion grew from his right.

  • Taoists believe that garlic enhances the vital life energy or chi energy.

  • Mythology also indicates garlic was used as an evil repellent, especially of the vampire variety. Yes, legend has it that garlic can ward off vampires like Count Dracula!

  • The ancient Indian healing system of Ayurveda describes garlic as a medicinal plant which was used to warm the body, improve blood circulation, and cure digestive problems, etc.

  • Hippocrates, who is regarded by many as being the father of modern medicine, was said to have used garlic to treat cancerous tumors.

  • During the years of plague in Europe, many people ate garlic daily in an attempt to protect themselves from the deadly illness.

  • The world wars also played a part in the history of garlic. During the war years, when the supply of sulfur drugs ran out, the British used garlic for effectively treating wounds. It was also used to deal with many other diseases.

  • Garlic is a strong antiseptic - Louis Pasteur verified its antiseptic properties in 1858. Garlic is also a strong antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-parasitic herb - throughout the history of garlic, the herb has been used for such purposes and these properties have been verified in countless studies.

  • Because of its pungent odor, garlic is sometimes called the 'stinking rose'.

    Garlic Info about its Names and Species

    The botanical name of garlic is Allium sativum, and it belongs to the Allium genus of the Alliaceae family.

    Throughout the history of garlic, the herb has been popular across the world for various reasons. It is also known by a lot of names, some of which are alho, knoblauch, toi, bawang, poondoo, ail, aglio, katiem, thum, knoflook, lasun, chesnok, gratiem, sarmisak, and lehsun; garlic is also referred to as Bronx vanilla and Italian perfume.

    Constituent Information about Garlic - Garlic Facts about what it contains

    The chemical composition of garlic includes enzymes, vitamin Bs, flavonoids and certain minerals. Overall, it is a good source of protein; minerals like calcium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and selenium; as well as vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Garlic also contains good levels of antioxidants.

    An important bit of garlic information is that it contains many powerful sulfur-containing compounds - some sources state that there are more than 80 of such compounds in garlic. One particular type of such substances is thiosulfinates, of which allicin is probably the most well-known and best studied.

    Note that the compounds which give raw garlic its pungent smell and taste are also responsible for the many health benefits of garlic. Now, this "pungent" property of garlic is destroyed when it is cooked. It thereby follows that cooked garlic, which loses most of its pungent quality, also loses a lot of its healthful and medicinal properties. To obtain the best garlic health benefits, raw garlic is the best.

    Garlic Mosquito Repellent and Garlic Flea Control

    Another interesting garlic fact is that its powerful odor has proven beneficial in repelling and keeping away insects like mosquitoes, fleas, etc.

    An effective method of using a garlic mosquito repellant or a garlic flea control is to create a garlic barrier. Concentrated garlic juice or extracts are diluted in water and sprayed in gardens, farms, ranches, etc, to ward off the pests that frequent these areas.

    Conclusion on Garlic Info and History

    For thousands of years throughout the history of garlic, it has been used for a variety of purposes. The health benefits of garlic for boosting strength, healing and medicinal purposes are well known, well documented and well utilized. It is possibly the number one healing plant known to Man.

    More information regarding the numerous garlic health benefits is discussed in the other related garlic articles.

    Garlic Pages | Summary Article | Health Benefits of Garlic | Information | History and Facts of Garlic | Planting, Harvesting, Storing and Preserving Garlic | Eating Garlic | How to Make Garlic Butter - a simple garlic butter recipe | An Easy Garlic Bread Recipe - Making Homemade Garlic Bread | Consuming the Garlic Plant - various ways to do so | Benefits | An Overview of Health Medicinal Benefits of Garlic | Garlic Health Benefits - Some Research and Studies | Garlic for Acne Treatment | Garlic and Blood Pressure | Garlic and Cancer - Is Garlic Anti Cancer? | Garlic to Lower Cholesterol | Garlic for Heart Health | Medicinal Properties of Garlic against Microbes, Harmful Organisms, Bacteria, Fungi, Parasites and Viruses | Side Effects | Possible Garlic Side Effects, Caution and Contraindications

    Read More: Information on some Herbs | Natural Healing Herbs, Herbals Formulas and Foods - My Favorites | Herbal Remedies for Various Health Conditions and Ailments | Home Page | Site Search



    To find an online source of good quality herbs and herbal products at reasonable prices, click here.








    Get Quality Natural Health Supplements at Reasonable Prices. $5 or $10 discount for new customers


    Get natural, herbal and
    homeopathic remedies     for hundreds of
    health conditions and ailments. GO.

    New! Comments

    Have your say about what you just read. Leave a comment in the box below.






    Return from this page History of Garlic and Garlic Facts to List of Herbs - Information on some Herbs

    Return from this page Garlic Information and Garlic Info to All 4 Natural Health... attaining good health naturally... Home Page



    • Get Quality Natural Health Supplements at Affordable Prices. $5 or $10 discount for new customers

    [?] Subscribe To This Site

    XML RSS
    follow us in feedly
    Add to My Yahoo!
    Add to My MSN
    Subscribe with Bloglines



    Quality Natural Health Supplements at a Reasonable Price - iHerb Coupon and Referral Code







    Follow this site






    Site Search



    Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

    This website's content must not be reproduced or republished without express permission.



    Site Search



    The information provided on this website is not meant to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any disease.
    It is to be taken as suggestions or educational material and not to be considered professional advice.


    Copyright© 2007-2014 All4NaturalHealth.com. All Rights Reserved.
    Home | Links & Resources | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Subscribe to E-zine | Site Search | Contact Us
    Return to top