Garlic, also known as alliums sativum, is related to the lily family, which includes onions, shallots, chives and leaks.

For over 4,000 years, garlic has had many important roles in human life. It is considered by most that Central Asia to be its place of origin. It was believed to be used as food flavoring and seasoning. Garlic was being used in Egypt by 3,000 B.C. Later it was used in Pakistan and Western India and spread to China. The Spanish, Portuguese and French introduced it to the New World. Today, garlic is grown all over the world.

Ancient Indians valued the medicinal properties of garlic and thought it to be an aphrodisiac. It was believed to cure several illnesses and promote a long life. During World War II, garlic was used as an antiseptic to disinfect open wounds and prevent gangrene. The Egyptians fed garlic to slaves, who were building the pyramids, to increase their stamina. Ancient Greeks and Romans claimed that garlic was used to repel scorpions, treat bladder infections and dog bites, cure leprosy and asthma. It was thought that hanging garlic bulbs on doors would stop the spread of smallpox.

When garlic is cut or crushed, an enzyme in the garlic combines with an amino acid, which then creates a new compound called allicin. This compound is known to kill 23 types of bacteria, including salmonella and staphylococcus.