Materia: Garlic – Allium Sativum

Overview

Magically, garlic carries this purifying fire into the unseen world. It has long been a talisman of protection, a Martial shield against hexes and hostile spirits (most classically, vampires). But garlic’s magic is not merely one of brute force. It burns away the unclean and restores vitality, wielding its fiery spirit with purpose and precision. Its power can be harnessed in charms to repel spiritual harm, baths to cleanse psychic debris, or rituals to break curses. In every instance, garlic’s energy cuts through the darkness, leaving clarity, vitality, and strength in its wake.

To work with garlic is to call on the principle of purification through fire – a force that battles not for destruction, but for renewal. In this post, we will delve deeper into garlic’s medicinal and magical virtues, exploring how this fierce warrior-herb can become an ally in our quest for healing, protection, and transformation.

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Botany

Common Name: Garlic
Botanical Name: Allium Sativum
Family: Amaryllidaceae

Native Region: South and central Asia.
Geographic Distribution: Widely cultivated as a garden herb.
Botanical Description: Allium sativum is a perennial flowering plant growing from a bulb. It has a tall, erect flowering stem that grows up to 3 ft (1 m). The leaf blade is flat, linear, solid, and approximately 0.5 – 1.0 in (1.25 – 2.5 cm) wide, with an acute apex. The plant may produce pink to purple flowers from July to September in the Northern Hemisphere. The bulb is odoriferous and contains outer layers of thin sheathing leaves surrounding an inner sheath that encloses the clove. Often the bulb contains 10 to 20 cloves that are asymmetric in shape, except for those closest to the center. It produces hermaphrodite flowers, which are pollinated by bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects.

Harvesting and Safety

Parts Used: Bulb
Harvesting Guidelines: Bulb can be harvested when approximately ⅔ of the leaves have dried and turned brittle (early summer for fall plantings, fall for spring plantings). Greater bulb development is encouraged by snipping off the flower heads before flowering. For best storage, bulbs should be brushed free of dirt and cured for several days in a warm, sunny place.

Safety Issues: The most common complaint when using garlic is halitosis. Reflux and gastric upset can occur among sensitive individuals. Usage while breastfeeding may cause or intensify infant colic. There have been cases of poisoning in other mammals, notably dogs, when large amounts are consumed. Use only culinary amounts in combination with blood thinners, or for two weeks before and after surgical procedures.

Raw garlic bulbs macerated in oil can become a habitat for botulism (C. botulinum). To prevent this, lightly pickle the bulbs in vinegar before submerging in oil.

Medical Usage

Energetics: Warming and drying
Actions: Anthelmintic (anti-parasitic), antibacterial, anticoagulant (blood thinner), antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cholagogue, circulatory stimulant, decongestant, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, hypolipidemic, hypotensive
Uses: Garlic is strongly antimicrobial, with an affinity for the digestive and respiratory systems (Herbal Academy 2021). It can be taken to ease colds and flu, respiratory, and digestive infections – and as a blood thinner and general venous tonic (Chevallier 2016). Applied topically it can be used to treat bacterial and fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot (Chevallier 2016) and ear infections (Gladstar 2017).
Pharmacology: The antimicrobial action of garlic comes from the potent sulfur compounds, particularly allicin. The active components in garlic degrade quickly with heat, making it best for cold preparations. If garlic is included in a hot preparation, it should be crushed and added in the last few minutes of steeping.

Specific Indications:

• A clove of minced garlic can be eaten raw daily for general immune support, or 3 times a day during acute infections. If taste is objectionable it can be mixed with an equal amount of honey (Easley 2016).
• A strong infused oil (1 Tbsp oil per clove of garlic, infused 10-15 minutes), finely strained and warmed to body temperature, can be dripped into the ears to treat ear infections. Always treat both ears at once. Repeat every 30 minutes until pain subsides (Gladstar 2017).
• A garlic syrup can be taken for sore throats (Chevallier 2016).

Preparation and Dosage:

• Raw clove, minced, 1-3x daily for infections.
• Infused oil, warmed and applied topically, for ear infections, 1 dropperful in each ear every 30 minutes until pain subsides.
• Syrup for sore throats, 1 tsp every every 3 hours

Magical Usage

Temperature: Fiery – warm and dry
Astrology: Mars in Aries
Folklore: Like most members of the onion family, garlic has been used for protection against hostile magic and malevolent spirits since ancient times. It has also been used as an aphrodisiac since the days of ancient Egypt. The associations with Mars make it a strong ally for issues of drive and virility (Greer 2000).

The ancient Greeks would place piles of garlic cloves at crossroads, as an offering to Hecate (Heliophilus 2017).

Garlic, along with black pepper and vinegar, can be steeped into a wash for exorcizing hostile spirits (Miller 2006).

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References

• Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Penguin Random House.
• Cunningham, S. (2000). Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Publications.
• Easley, T. (2016). The Modern Herbal Dispensatory. North Atlantic Books.
• Gladstar, R. (2017). Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs. Storey Publishing.
• Greer, J. (2005). Encyclopedia of Natural Magic. Llewellyn Publications.
• Heliophilus. (2017). Alchemy Rising: The Green Book. Scarlett Imprint.
• Herbal Academy. (2021). Introductory Herbal Course – Recipes and Monographs. Herbal Academy.
• Miller, J. (2006). Protection & Reversal Magick. Weiser Books.