Garlic (allium sativum), also known as the 'stinking rose' due to its strong odor, is a famous herb used in both the field of medicines and cookeries. Many people consume garlics without knowing much about the background stories of garlics. It all started in the ancient times long long ago...
ANCIENT TIMES
In ancient China, the Chinese believed that garlic provides more energy, alleviate depression and as an aphrodisiac (sexual stimulant).
Ancient Egyptians were very into garlic. They used it as currency, swore oaths on it and fed it to their slaves to increase their endurance and ward off illness.
Ancient Greeks serves most of their food along with garlic and wine. The Greeks also used garlic as an aphrodisiac. Surprisingly, the name is derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.
In some ancient cultures, it was considered holy as there are legends saying that the blood-sucking vampires and werewolves are afraid of garlic's odor. Is it true? Of course they're not. In the ancient times, mosquitoes were symbolized vampirism because these creatures extract blood from the host. Since garlics are natural mosquito repellent, thus garlics are then referred as vampire's enemy.
MODERN TIMES
In general, due to the sulphur content presence in garlic, it gives garlic the weird smell and hence its medicinal value. Some people have suggested that organically grown garlic will have a higher sulphur level and hence greater benefit to health. In my experience it definitely tastes better so I prefer to have organic garlic whenever possible whether or not it's best for my health.
Raw garlic is believed to help preventing cold and flu when is taken raw. Some ingest garlic to treat acne inflammation. Other than that, garlic is also used in lowering blood cholesterol. The bad thing about raw garlic is that, it is rather 'strong' to be ingested in a large amount as it causes irritation to your gastro-intestinal tract (botulism). I've seen people allergic to garlic (most probably due to allicin). Raw garlic when is taken in huge quantity may disrupt blood coagulation. So it is best to avoid taking garlic before any surgical procedures.
Garlic extracts or garlic supplements are most welcomed by many modern people firstly because it has no strong odor, secondly and most importantly, it is easy to ingest. There is some scientific evidence that garlic can lower high cholesterol although it is not nearly as effective as regular prescription medicines used to lower cholesterol. Garlic seems to also lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure and possibly via slowing down the process of hardening of the arteries.
There is also some evidence that eating garlic might reduce the chance of developing some cancers such as cancer of the colon, and possibly stomach cancer and prostate cancer. But there is no reliable evidence that garlic is helpful for people who already have cancer. Some people with diabetes try garlic to help lower blood sugar. But garlic does not seem to be effective for this use.
MY POINT OF VIEW
Garlic stinks, and isn't it obvious? Do not eat garlic if you plan to kiss your love ones or else they will immediately reject you. Here are a few clues how you gonna remove garlic odor from your mouth: Firstly, brush your teeth a few times using toothpaste and remember to include your tongue as well. Secondly, drink something high in alkaline such as vinegar or lemon juice. It helps wash-off the garlic odor. If you love to eat garlic so much, another way of reducing garlic odor is to swallow it whole instead of the crushed one because crushed garlics give more smell.
2010 CRISIS
Due to the great floods in China, there's a shortage of garlic globally and it seems that garlic price is shooting up. Apparently China is the largest of producer of garlic and it accounts for over 77% of the world's output.
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