Herbs

Garlic (Allium sativum)
Folk names:
Gender:	Masculine
Planet:	Mars
Element:	Fire
Powers:	protection, healing, exorcisim, lust, anti- theft
Parts Used:	bulb, (fresh juice most effective)
Properties:	Contains volatile oil which is composed of allicin and sulphur related  compounds plus citral, geraniol, etc.  Allicin is the major odour  principle and taste of garlic, It is generated by action of the enzyme  alliinase on alliin. Under normal conditions alliinase and alliin are  separated from each other inside the garlic bulb. However when the bulb is cut or crushed, the two are brought together and allinase turns  alliin (a non volatile odorless sulfur amino acid) into allicin( a  pungent volatile sulphur compound.) Garlic purifies the blood, helps control acne and reduces blood pressure, cholesterol, and clotting.  Tests confirm antibiotic activity against samples of candida, cholera, staphylococcus, salmonella, dysentery, and typhus; ands a mild anti fugal action.  garlic clears  phlegm, thus providing treatment for colds, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and whooping cough.  New tests suggest it has a role in treating lead poisoning, some carcinomas and diabetes. Possible prevention and elimination of heavy metal poisoning from the body on a daily basis-due to sulphur content. Commonly used in formulas to help strengthen immunity to disease.Onions are similar but not as strong.
Magickal uses:	Garlic was eaten on festival days to Hecate, and was left  at a crossroads as a sacrifice in her name. Garlic was once worn to guard against the plague. It is  still used to absorb disease. Simply rub fresh, peeled cloves of garlic onto the afflicted  part of the body and then throw it into running water. An old spell utilized  garlic in protecting against hepatitis. To  do this, simply wear 13 cloves of garlic at the end of a cord round the neck for 13 days. On the last day, in the middle of an interesctiion of   two streets, remove the necklace, throw it behind you and run home  without looking back . ( sounds like a timid sacrifice to Hecate if you ask me !!! <g>) Garlic is also extemely protective. Sailors carry some while on board ship to protect against it's wreckage. Soldiers wore garlic as a defense in the middle ages, while Roman soldiers ate it to give them courage. It  is placed in the home to guard against intrusion of evil, to keep out   robbers and theives, and is  hung over the door to repel envious people. Garlic is especially protective in new homes. Worn, garlic guards against foul weather ( mountaneeres wear it) as well  as monsters, and it also sheilds you from the blows of your enemys. When evil spirits are about, bite into garlic to send them away, or  sprinkle powdedered garlic onto the floor ( if you don't mind smelling  it for a  time) Garlic is also placed beneath childrens pillows to protect them while asleep, and brides carried one clove of garlic in the pocket for good  luck and to keep evil away on her big day. Rubbed on pots and pans  before cooking in them garlic removes negative vibarations which might  otherwise contaminate the food. When eaten, garlic acts as a lust inducer, and when a magnet or  lodestone is rubbed with garlic it loses its magical powers.
Habitat:	well drained soils, temperate zones; C Asia
Notes:	Recent studies have shown garlic to be antiviral as well, and may prove to be a safeguard agains food borne illnesses such  as E coli and salmonella. Garlic will reduce bad cholesterol in the  body, and has been clinically proven to lower blood pressure.  When garlic is roasted, it loses it's unpleasantness..as does removing the green parts of the cloves before chopping. It is a very potent ingredient in witch bottles as well.
submitted by:	Diane