[Author’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
Essay on The History of Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a perennial plant in the family Alliaceae and genus Allium, closely related to the onion, shallot, and leek. It does not grow in the wild, and is thought to have arisen in cultivation, probably descended from the species Allium longicuspis, which grows wild in south-western Asia. Garlic has been used throughout all of recorded history for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants, and thought to have originated in Southwest Asia.
The English name comes from the Anglo-Saxon "gar-leac" or spear plant, which refers to its spear-shaped leaves and its relation to the leek. Although known to be rich in vitamins and minerals, the trick is in eating enough to gain a measurable amount, but some always try. Even in ancient times, garlic was a popular medicinal plant and soothing herb. Herbalists in China, Greece, and Egypt, as well as the ancient kingdoms of Babylon, Sumeria, and Mesopotamia all record such uses. Until recently, scientists and researchers were skeptical; but garlic is still proving to be the healer it always was, especially where arterial disease and infections are concerned.
Clay models from 5000 BCE show that garlic bulbs were buried with the Egyptians in their tombs. They also gave it to their slaves to ward off infections. Hippocrates prescribed it for uterine tumors. In medieval times, garlic was hung outside doors to deter witches and vampires. For all of this folklore, garlic really does have some valuable medicinal properties which modern science is finally endorsing.
Garlic contains volatile oils, alliin (the major odour producer which is decomposed by heat and alkali), enzymes, ajoenes, proteins, minerals, vitamins, lipids, amino acids, and other substances not yet identified. Garlic has hypoglycemic effects, as well as those that lower blood cholesterol. It is an expectorant, antibacterial, antifungal,antiviral, antiparasitic, amebicidal, insecticidal, larvicidal, antitumor, antithrombotic, and antihepatotoxic helps the liver detoxify.....
