Garlic is one of the most popular herbs used in cooking today. It's hot, pungent flavor adds sparkle to sauces, meats, and soups. It is a wonderful addition to mashed potatoes, chicken soup, or even in a savory cream of garlic soup.

Did you know that this herb has also been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb? Egyptians valued it so much that they created clay models and paintings of garlic and placed them in the tombs. There was a period of time when the Egyptians used it as currency. In Greece and Rome soldiers ate garlic before going into battle to give them courage. In ancient India garlic was used for heart problems and colds.

Christian monks believed that garlic guarded against the plague and so civilization after civilization used garlic for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Garlic was not a popular culinary herb in the United States, however, until after World War II.

The part of the garlic plant that is most commonly used it the bulb. The bulb is made up of sections which are called cloves. The stems and flowers are edible with a faint, garlic flavor, and can be used in salads and as garnish.

Garlic grows easily almost anywhere and can be found growing wild along roadsides and in fields.

It is easy for the home gardener to grow. Homegrown garlic has a different flavor than that which is commercially grown. With the numerous heirloom varieties available the gardener can have many different flavors and intensities of garlic.

Some of the heirloom types of garlic are:

• Inchelium Red- a native American variety that has an almost delicate, buttery flavor.
  
• Spanish Roja- has an intense, spicy flavor and a brown to tan color.
  
• Tuscan-has pink and white striped cloves. It is one of the more mild garlics.
  
• Beijing Pink- has a sweet and hot flavor that goes well in oriental dishes.
  
• Red Toch-large bulbs with a mellow flavor.

Garlic grows best in rich, sandy soil. It should be kept moist but not wet. To plant garlic divide the bulbs into cloves and plant them separately two inches deep. Leave six inches of space between each plant. Most garlic is planted in the fall or early spring.

Over the years there have been many health claims about garlic. Some of the things is has been used for are:

• Heart disease
  
• Helps prevent some complications of diabetes
  
• High cholesterol High blood pressure
  
• Coughs
  
• Cancer
  
• Fungal infections
  
• Colds Infections
  
• Yeast infections, candida
  
• Regulate blood sugar
  
• Intestinal parasites
  
• Fungal infections

There have been several animal studies that have concluded that garlic significantly decreases plaque in the aorta as well as a reduction of cholesterol accumulated on the vascular walls. In fact, garlic extract was shown to inhibit the calcification of blood vessels in people.

The antibacterial qualities of garlic were first recorded by Louis Pasteur in 1858. It was used to prevent gangrene in wound patients until World War II.

Allicin is the substance that is responsible for the health benefits of garlic. It is deactivated during cooking, which is one reason cooked garlic becomes much less pungent as it is cooked or roasted. Because of this garlic that is being used medicinally should be taken raw, in tinctures, or in a capsule form.

While the amount of garlic that should be taken for best results will vary from individual to individual and from illness to illness the following is a general dose for an adult.

Whole garlic clove: 2 - 4 fresh garlic cloves per day.

Garlic extract: 600 - 1,200 mg taken three times daily.

Capsules or tablets of freeze-dried garlic: 200 mg, 2 tablets 3 times daily

Tincture: 20 mL, daily

Oil: 0.03 - 0.12 mL, 3 times daily

Garlic can cause drug interactions when taken in medicinal quantities. Always talk to your doctor before taking garlic if you are taking other medications.

Garlic may interact with:

• Warfarin
• Calcium channel blockers
• Drugs for Hypoglycemia
• Reacts negatively with commonly prescribed HIV medications.

Garlic will also cause thinning of the blood and therefore should be avoided before surgery. It has been reported to cause bleeding in pregnancy. SOme people may find that they have a garlic allergy.

Symptoms of allergy include:

• Headache
  
• Rash
  
• Fever
  

• 1 head of garlic = ten cloves.
  
•  1 small garlic clove = 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon garlic juice 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  
• 1 medium garlic clove =1 teaspoon minced garlic
  
• 1 large garlic clove =2 teaspoons minced garlic
  
• 1 extra-large garlic clove =1 tablespoon minced garlic
  

Adding garlic to the diet may be a great way to increase circulation and boost the immune system. Consider eating more garlic during flu season.

Here are some garlic recipes to try:

• Artichoke, Portabella, and Potato Gratin
• Bennigan's Baked Potato Soup
• Numerous Garlic Recipes
• How to Roast Garlic
• Garlic Knot Rolls
• Garlic Lime Chicken Breasts
• Pickled Garlic
• Chicken Garlic Pizza
  

Utilizing garlic is a great way to spice up your meals as well as add a boost to your immune system.  Always choose the freshest cloves possible and use them quickly.

By using garlic in your cooking you may be able to get through flu season in good health.  At the very least it will keep any roaming vampires away!