National Garlic Day is observed annually on April 19.
This stinking rose is a member of the lily family. This family also includes onions, leeks and shallots. While garlic originated in Asia over 7,000 years ago, it is used in a variety of cuisines, but it is also used for medicinal purposes.
It is considered an herbal remedy for colds, and it has been suggested to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Modern science has proven garlic’s antibiotic properties.
Myth and superstition reek of garlic. The most familiar one is garlic wards off vampires. This same theory seemed to work on witches, werewolves, demons and other such evils one could come across. Folklore tells us garlic grew from satan’s left footprint when he left the Garden of Eden; Greek midwives kept evils spirits away with it, and courage filled Roman soldiers who consumed the bulb.
Our dreams often have meaning. Dreaming of garlic is no different. To dream about garlic in the house is supposed to mean good luck and if the dream includes eating garlic (perhaps in a pesto sauce), there might be hidden secrets. There are over 300 varieties of garlic in the world to dream about as well!
- Gilroy, California is known as the Garlic Capital of the World. Will Rogers was once quoted as saying it is “…the only place in America where you can marinate a steak just by hanging it out on a clothesline.”
- Gilroy, California is the site of the world famous Gilroy Garlic Festival. Held each year at the end of July, it’s one of the biggest food festivals in the US and features delicies such as garlic fries and garlic ice cream. If you, don’t forget your toothbrush!
- Gilroy is also home to an amusement park, Gilroy Gardens, which includes a spinning-garlic ride.
- Garlic bulbs are full of Vitamin C, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc and more. It also has 17 amino acids.
- Average consumption of garlic is believed to weigh in at around two pounds per person.
- You can use garlic to make glue.
- The psychological term for fear of garlic is Alliumphobia.
- The city of Chicago is named after garlic. ‘Chicagaoua’ was the Indian word for wild garlic.
- Garlic applied on wounds can heal them faster. During World War I, this healing quality of garlic was used extensively by British soldiers.
- Garlic can clear up skin troubles. You can battle both acne and cold sores with garlic, simply by slicing cloves in half and applying them directly to the skin.
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