Garlic has been used for centuries for its culinary and medicinal properties, but there are many surprising and lesser-known facts about this potent ingredient. Here are 11 secrets about garlic that you might not know:
1. Garlic Was Used as Currency
In ancient times, garlic was so highly valued that it was used as a form of currency. Ancient Egyptians, for example, used garlic to pay workers who built the pyramids. The Greeks and Romans also recognized its value and used it as a form of trade.
2. Garlic Can Help Detoxify Heavy Metals
Garlic is known for its ability to detoxify the body, and it’s particularly effective in removing heavy metals like lead and mercury. The sulfur compounds in garlic bind to these toxic metals, helping to flush them out of the body. This detoxifying property has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
3. Garlic Has Been Used as an Aphrodisiac
Throughout history, garlic has been touted as a natural aphrodisiac. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that garlic could boost libido and enhance sexual performance. While modern science has yet to fully prove this claim, garlic’s ability to improve circulation might play a role.