Today is All Hallows’ Eve, a day for the ghoulies and the ghosties, and one more chance to talk about a plant with a long spooky history with human kind: garlic. We know it today for both its health properties (discussed later), and its use to keep the Lost Boys lost (if you do not get the reference, Google it).
Allium sativum is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family along with onions, leeks, chives, amaryllis, and daffodils, to name a few. It is native to Asia; the Yunnan province specifically. China is the largest producer of this long cultivated bulb. However, with such a long history with many ancient cultures from China to the Mediterranean, it is possible the native range of this bulb stretches across the globe. Not surprising, considering many members of the Allium genus adapt to a wide variety of soils and climates. It is an adaptive advantage of the bulb, actually its leaves, that functions as a storehouse against harsh times. A. sativum comes in two types: soft- and hardneck. Softneck varieties are most commonly found in the grocery store due to their longer shelf life.
Garlic has been known to human civilizations beyond the Great Wall for many millennia, generating many stories. Bloodsucking slavic aristocrats notwithstanding, garlic has been used as an almost universal ward against evil, however it is being defined. The ancient Greeks offered garlic to Hecate, goddess of the underworld. Do not bring up the topic of garlic to a native of the Indian subcontinent. It is considered a member of one of the untouchable food groups and was known as a slayer of monsters. When garlic was introduced to South America, the Inca thought it could ward off a bull. Braided garlic was worn by those living amongst the plague as a means of warding off disease. With potent smells perhaps one would not have needed to mask up then as everyone would remain very socially distant from you, and maybe that was the point.
There is no doubt of garlic’s pungent, odiferous productions, as witnessed by the universal use to expel the undesirable in your environment, but are there any pluses to garlic? Many cultures used garlic to inculcate strength and courage. Today, garlic is known to have some upsides. Garlic is thought to improve several aspects of the cardiovascular system by increasing blood flow, easing hypertension, lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and showing anti-inflammatory and antioxidative results among others.
To me, garlic is just a great addition to pretty much any culinary dish I whip up, but my celebrity endorsement is not worth much, since I stink at the kitchen stove duty – and that has nothing to do with garlic.
Josh Steffen, Horticulture and Facilities Manager
Miss any of Josh’s latest posts? Click below to read more!
- What Horticulture means to me
- A beacon of Autumn: Red Maple, October’s Native of the Month
- September’s Native Plant of the Month: Pawpaw Tree
- Native Plant of the Month (August) – Swamp Rose Mallow
- The Tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa)
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- September 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- October 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- August 2014
- March 2014
- November 2013
Want to get our posts emailed? Subscribe here: