Garlic, called the stinking rose by Russians, is an onion-like bulb from the lily family. It is believed that garlic originated in Central Asia. It is thought to have covered an area from China to India to Egypt to the Ukraine. Garlic still grows wild throughout Central Asia.

It isnt known exactly when it was first discovered, however researchers believe that the Ancient Egyptians and Indians were using it for cooking and medicinal purposes as long as 5000 years ago. The Babylonians were believed to be using it around 4500 years ago, and the Chinese as recently as 2000 years ago. Archeologists have discovered clay sculptures of garlic bulbs and paintings of garlic dating about 3200 B.C. in Egyptian tombs in El Mahasna. A recently discovered Egyptian papyrus dating from 1,500 B.C. recommends garlic as a cure all for over 22 common ailments, including lack of stamina, heart disease and tumors, and its been said the Egyptians fed garlic to the slaves building the pyramids to increase their strength. Garlic proved itself worthy to peasant and royalty alike as Tutankhamen (Egypts youngest pharaoh) was sent into the afterlife with garlic at his side.

In ancient Greece and Rome, garlic enjoyed a variety of uses, from repelling scorpions to treating dog bites and bladder infections to curing leprosy and asthma. It was even left out as an offering to the Greek goddess Hectate. Early Greek military leaders fed garlic to their troops before battles to give them courage and promise victory (and perhaps in an attempt to fell the opposing army with one good whiff.) Even Greek Olympic athletes counted on garlic to stimulate performance. Ancient Transylvania, home of the vampire legend, found garlic to be an effective mosquito repellent as well as a way to ward off toothsome visitors. In the Middle Ages garlic was thought to combat the plague and was hung in braided strands across the entrances of houses to prevent evil spirits from entering. While modern day experience cannot confirm garlics effect on evil spirits, it has been proven that garlic, at the least, will prevent a goodnight kiss at the end of a date.

For many years, garlic was shunned by Western cultures such as Britain and America because of the stench it left behind. In seventeenth century England, garlic was considered unfit for ladies and anyone who wished to court them, and it was avoided in America even early into the 20th century, when famous chefs would substitute onion for it in recipes. As America experienced a huge increase in immigration during the 19th century, however, garlic slowly gained popularity in the American palette.

In 1858, Louis Pasteur documented that garlic kills bacteria, with one millimeter or raw garlic juice proving as effective as 60 milligrams of penicillin. During World War II, when penicillin and sulfa drugs were scarce, the British and Russian armies used diluted garlic solutions as an antiseptic to disinfect open wounds and prevent gangrene. Though not completely understood at the time, todays research has confirmed that garlics healing powers stem from hundreds of volatile sulfur compounds found in the vegetable, including allicin, (which gives garlic its offensive odor), alliin, cycroalliin, and diallyldisulphide. The allicin in raw, crushed garlic has been shown to kill 23 types of bacteria, including salmonella and staphylococcus. Heated garlic gives off another compound, diallyldisulphide-oxide, which has been shown to lower serum cholesterol by preventing clotting in the arteries.

Vitamins in garlic, such as A, B, and C, stimulate the body to fight carcinogens and get rid of toxins, and may even aid in preventing certain types of cancer, such as stomach cancer. Garlic's sulfur compounds can regulate blood sugar metabolism, stimulate and detoxify the liver, and stimulate the blood circulation and the nervous system. Garlic has also been proven to reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure. It also wards off colds, flu and diarrhea. (On the flip-side, it can also reverse constipation.)
In many cultures, garlic is also considered a powerful aphrodisiac and a vegetarian alternative to Viagra. Some say its even able to raise a mans sperm count. In Palestinian tradition, a groom who wears a clove of garlic in his buttonhole is guaranteed a happy wedding night.

While experts vary in opinion regarding the recommended daily amount of dietary garlic, most of them agree that fresh garlic is better than supplements. To negate the aromatic after effects of fresh garlic, herbalists recommend munching on fresh parsley (its more than just a garnish, folks) or fennel seed. There are two main forms of garlic--softneck and hardneck--and a number of different varieties including Rocambole, Purple Stripe, Porcelain, Artichoke, Silverskin, Asiatic/Turban, and Creole. Silverskin and other softneck garlic are what one usually finds in grocery stores because of their storage keeping ability. Rocamboles are the most widely known hardneck variety and tend to have a deeper, stronger flavor than softnecks, but do not store as well. Rocamboles stand out for their brightness and Purple Stripes for their ability to caramelize into sweet cloves when roasted.

Green garlic is garlic that is cultivated before its bulb has matured. Green garlic is sweeter and less aggressive than mature garlic and is often substituted for leeks.

In recent years, garlic has gained a great deal of popularity due to popular cooking shows. It is used in a wide variety of ways for cooking. It is used in meats, sauces, seafood dishes, and the ever-popular garlic bread, so if you havent already, start including garlic into your diet or vitamin regimen.