Garlic

Allicin is the most powerful medicinal compound derived from garlic and provides the greatest reputed health benefits.

Garlic health benefits have long been claimed and has been used extensively in herbal medicine for centuries.

It has been considered by many to be a herbal wonder drug, with a reputation in folklore for preventing or treating everything from common colds to fatal diseases.


Allicin is produced when garlic is finely chopped or crushed. The finer the chopping and the more intensive the crushing, the more allicin is generated and the stronger the medicinal effect.

We have a cat, originally named Alison, but considering that her nocturnal wanderings down the alleyways near us, and aware of her sometimes evil exploits, we've rechristened her Alley Sin, which give her a strong connection to one of our favourite flavouring food, garlic.


'gâr'lic n. (Plant of genus Allium with) bulbous strong-smelling pungent-tasting root used as flavouring in cookery; hence ~ky a. (esp. of smell). [OE gārleac (gār spear; see LEEK)]' ...

so says my 1980 Concise Oxford Dictionary (New Edition) on page 437, strong smelling and pungent tasting, yes, my word, so it is, in a raw state but fried in butter, hmmm, what a lovely aroma, 

although my good also Oxford Concise says on page 51, 'arō'ma n. Fragrance, sweet smell; subtle pervasive quality. [f. L f. Gk arōma -atmos spice]', 

well, sweet and subtle, not sure, but at least it says 'spice' ...