The garlic plant (Allium sativum) is an onion variety and therefore is a distant 'relative' of the lily family. Originating in central Asia, the herbal and culinary properties of the garlic plant were known to both the Egyptians and the Romans. Garlic was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, chewed by Greek Olympian athletes and thought to be essential for keeping vampires at bay! It was the colonisation of northern Europe by the Romans which established garlic's centres of cultivation (Spain, France, and Italy) as well as its adoption as an essential ingredient of so many traditional Mediterranean dishes. Garlic is also good for zapping bacteria, keeping your heart healthy, warding off coughs and colds - and don't worry it needn't give you bad breath! There are many benefits associated with taking garlic regularly and more information is available from The Garlic Information Centre at
www.mistral.co.uk/garlic
( This is a really informative site on the benifits of garlic )