Garlic

GARLIC | AJO

Garlic is the pungent, fiery bulb that’s been medicine, magic, and mealtime staple for over 5,000 years. We all know it for flavor, but its real legacy is in healing. Garlic has been crushed into poultices, steeped into tonics, and eaten raw for strength across cultures from Ancient Egypt to China to the Americas. This is the original “food as medicine” plant, and its track record is legendary.

Garlic likely originated in Central Asia, with wild ancestors still growing in parts of modern-day Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It was cultivated early in Mesopotamia, India, and China, and quickly became a staple in both diet and medicine. In Ayurveda, garlic (lasuna) is seen as a rajasic herb- stimulating, energizing, heating. It’s used to balance vata and kapha, cleanse the digestive tract, promote circulation, and even as an aphrodisiac and tonic for longevity.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, garlic is classified as hot and pungent, used to move qi, dispel cold, and clear toxins and parasites. It was also used in zhong feng (stroke) protocols, digestive formulas, and even spiritual protections.

Over in Ancient Egypt, garlic was so valuable it was used as currency and fed to pyramid workers to boost strength and prevent illness. The Greeks and Romans gave it to soldiers and athletes for stamina, and early physicians like Hippocrates prescribed it for everything from respiratory issues to wound infections. In medieval Europe, it was hung in homes and worn around the neck to ward off plague, evil spirits, and vampires- a blend of medical and magical thinking that reflects garlic’s wide reputation as a protector herb.

As garlic traveled via Silk Road and spice routes, it became integral to Middle Eastern, African, and Indigenous American medicine. Across the globe, folk traditions have used garlic to break fevers, fight colds, stimulate appetite, detoxify the blood, and repel parasites. And in Latin American herbalism, it’s still used in limpias, rubbed on the soles of the feet for fevers, or eaten raw with lemon and cayenne to bust up illness.

According to modern science, garlic contains allicin- a powerful compound with antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Studies have confirmed garlic’s ability to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, support immunity, prevent infections, and even fight certain cancers. It’s also a natural blood thinner, making it a heart-healthy powerhouse when used regularly in food or as a supplement.

So no, garlic isn’t just a seasoning. It’s an ancient pantry pharmacy, a spiritual shield, a warrior plant with deep roots and a bold bite. Whether you're eating it, steeping it, or burning it to clear a space, garlic reminds us that protection, strength, and healing can come from the humblest of roots.

Medicinal Uses of Garlic

Boosts Immune System Function

• Stimulates immune activity to help the body fight infections

• Used preventatively and during colds, flus, and other viral illnesses

Natural Antibiotic and Antiviral

• Contains allicin, a sulfur compound with potent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects

• Effective against respiratory infections, wound infections, and some drug-resistant bacteria

Lowers Blood Pressure

• Acts as a natural vasodilator, helping to relax blood vessels and reduce hypertension

• Especially effective in raw or aged extract forms

Reduces Cholesterol and Supports Heart Health

• Helps lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol)

• Reduces plaque buildup in arteries and supports overall cardiovascular function

Thins the Blood and Prevents Clotting

• Acts as a mild anticoagulant, reducing risk of stroke and heart attack

• Should be used with caution alongside blood-thinning medications

Fights Fungal Infections

• Effective against candida, athlete’s foot, and other yeast/fungal conditions

• Can be used internally or applied topically in diluted oil or salves

Antiparasitic and Antimicrobial

• Traditionally used to expel intestinal worms and prevent gastrointestinal infections

• Has a long history in folk medicine as a cleansing and protective agent

Supports Respiratory Health

• Loosens mucus, relieves congestion, and soothes coughs

• Used for bronchitis, sinus infections, and sore throats (often with honey and lemon)

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant

• Reduces chronic inflammation linked to cardiovascular disease and arthritis

• Neutralizes free radicals, slowing cellular aging and reducing oxidative stress

Supports Blood Sugar Regulation

• May improve insulin sensitivity and help lower blood glucose levels

• Sometimes used alongside dietary changes in type 2 diabetes management

Enhances Digestion and Gut Health

• Stimulates appetite and bile production

• Balances gut microbiota and reduces harmful bacteria without damaging beneficial flora

May Support Cancer Prevention

• Studies suggest garlic’s sulfur compounds may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells, especially in the colon and stomach

• Used in many traditional anti-cancer diets

Improves Skin and Wound Healing (Topically)

• Crushed garlic applied to minor cuts and infections to fight bacteria and speed healing

• Must be used cautiously to avoid skin irritation or burns

Repels Insects and Parasites (Traditional Use)

• Used historically to repel lice, mosquitoes, and even spiritual negativity

• Eaten or worn for protective purposes in many folk traditions

Common Preparations

• Raw cloves: Crushed and eaten for maximum allicin activity

• Aged garlic extract: Gentler on digestion, used for cardiovascular health

• Garlic oil: Used topically or in capsules

• Infusions or decoctions: For colds and respiratory support

• Garlic honey: Immune tonic used for coughs and sore throats

• Tinctures or capsules: For consistent dosing