Stinking Roses for The New Year

Drop by drop to taste add any of the following genuine eo's - from a trusted source, to some garlic crushed with salt, lemon juice (or vinegar) and olive oil for some amazing vegetable and meat marinades!

Cinnamon, fresh ginger root, oregano, rosemary, thyme ..

I feel it is safe to say that we all have heard and know of garlic (allium sativum), but not enough folks are familiar with its far more idiosyncratic and descriptive character - the stinking rose. This gift from the flora fellowship is one of the most widespread, well known and valuable members of the lily (Liliaceae) family. It has played an important role in the lives of human beings for well over 5000 years, and counting.

The stinking rose is incredibly diverse. Traditional uses are wide, encompassing much, from food preservation and flavoring, to internal and topical medicinal applications, to being an important ingredient in spiritual preparations - including being revered as one of the most powerful portions in ritual protection preparations - from the power to repel mythical vampires, to the legend being true (and finding its roots) on a more practical level as it repels the all too real bloodsuckers, mosquitoes! It even is said to be an aphrodisiac (probably due to its properties in helping circulation).

Garlic generally and efficiently stimulates the immune system. It is a helpful adjunct in all cancer treatments as well as any elimination and detoxification diets being that it stimulates the purging of toxins, combats carcinogens and also assists the liver in metabolizing fat substances in the blood.

An amino acid called Allacin is created by crushing garlic, and it functions to kill salmonella, staphylococcus, and about 20 other nasty bacteria and various disease spreading micro-organisms.

Heating garlic produces different compounds which are helpful in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. Garlic is also a light blood thinner, which means it can easily be added to the diet to help prevent heart attacks and strokes.

For more info see: Steven Foster's Garlic Monograph

I've planted garlic in my garden for the new year. Now you know why (and it makes pretty edible flowers too!).