19 April: Garlic Day

Today is Garlic Day, and also today's plant of the day is Ursine garlic, Allium ursinum, dedicated to St Leo IX.

1. Garlic belongs to the genus allium, making it a close relative of Onions, Leeks and chives.
2. Garlic is grown all over the world, including in every US state. Gilroy, California calls itself the "garlic capital of the world", but it isn't - China is the largest producer accounting for 81% of the world supply. The biggest consumers are thought to be the Koreans who get through 10 kilos (22 pounds) per person per year.
3. It is well known that garlic is supposed to repel Vampires. This is thought to have originated with the idea that garlic has healing properties and can ward off disease, as well as being a folk remedy for repelling Mosquitoes, another Blood-sucking pest. This extended to warding off evil of all kinds - demons, witches and Werewolves as well. St Andrew is said to have given the gift of garlic to mankind for this purpose. Wearing it, hanging it in the window or rubbing it on the chimney were thought to be effective. Stuffing garlic in the nose and mouth of a recently deceased person was supposed to prevent them from becoming a vampire; and doing the same to the head of a decapitated vampire would prevent it from returning. Another more modern take on the reason is that vampires have a highly sensitised sense of smell and it's the pong they can't stand.
4. Garlic breath is caused by allyl methyl sulfide (AMS), a volatile liquid which is absorbed into the blood during the metabolism of garlic-derived sulfur compounds; from the blood it travels to the lungs and from there to the mouth, causing bad breath; and to the skin, where it is exuded through the pores. Taking a swig of Milk while the garlic is still in your mouth has been found to reduce the odour significantly. Drinking milk after your meal or eating Mushrooms and Basil or drinking Water has also been found to help a little. An old English law forbids people from going to the cinema, the theatre or using public transport if they have eaten garlic less than four hours previously.
5. The prophet Muhammed disliked garlic, and Muslims are not allowed to pray in a mosque when they have been eating it because the smell could put other people off their prayers. In some Buddhist traditions, garlic is thought to stimulate sexual and aggressive drives and is forbidden, especially to monks and nuns, for that reason. In England, there is an old law which forbids priests and vicars from eating garlic before a sermon.
6. The medicinal properties of garlic have been known since time immemorial, quite possibly since before The Pyramids were built. Hippocrates, Galen, Pliny the Elder, and Dioscorides all mention the use of garlic for parasites, respiratory problems, poor digestion, and low energy. Smallpox, dropsy TB and plague have also been treated with it. Garlic was used as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene during both World Wars. In the 12th century, it was seen as a palliative for the heat of the Sun and so was consumed by farm labourers, soldiers and sailors.
7. Most parts of the garlic plant can be eaten, not just the bulbs, including the leaves and flowers. Even the skin, which we in the west usually discard, is sometimes left on in Korea. Only the roots are not palatable.
8. The juice of garlic cloves is sticky and can be used as an adhesive to mend glass and porcelain.
9. According to a Korean legend, a Tiger and a bear prayed to the deity Hwanung that they may become human. Hearing their prayers, Hwanung gave them 20 cloves of garlic and a bundle of mugwort, ordering them to eat only this sacred food and remain out of the sun for 100 days. The tiger gave up after about twenty days and left the cave. However, the bear remained and was transformed into a woman.
10. The ancient Greeks would leave garlic at crossroads as food for Hecate, and in ancient Egypt, people would swear on garlic or onions when taking oaths.