History of Garlic in Ancient Indian and Mesopotamian Civilizations

Garlic has a pretty interesting history. It is quite evident from the ancient records, that garlic is considered as the best remedy even about 5000 years ago. It was the same time when Mesopotamian civilization existed.

Even in some ancient Indian records and documents written in Sanskrit language, uses of garlic are mentioned. All these records and documents suggest a lot of facts and importance of garlic. Read: History of Garlic in North America: Used in America as Food and Medicine for Hundreds of Years

The fact that garlic has many medicinal properties is not a recent one. Even more than 5000 years ago, in India as well as in Mesopotamia, garlic was used as a prime medicine. It is quite interesting to know the history of garlic and how it was used back then. So, to know more about the history of garlic in ancient Indian and Mesopotamian civilizations, read on.

History Of Garlic In Ancient India

It has been proven from the ancient Indian documents that garlic was one of the prime ingredient for making medicines. There is an older document around 350 A.D that suggests garlic can cure many health conditions. The list of those health conditions easily curable by garlic, as mentioned in the document, are:

• Weak digestion
• underweight
• fatigue
• skin problems
• head colds
• cough
• abdominal swelling
• hemorrhoid
• abdominal pain
• tuberculosis
• constipation
• epilepsy

The list provided in that document is quite excessive. But even in today’s time, it is quite clear that garlic can be the best remedy for many health problems.

It is used throughout the world for treating many conditions like heart diseases, blood pressure, blood sugar, lowering cholesterol level and also skin conditions. Even, modern science has proved and verified that some of these uses of garlic are completely factual. In fact, historically garlic has been used as food and medicine all around the world.

Garlic in Ancient Mesopotamian Civilization

The land around the Euphrate and Tigris (now known as Iran and Iraq) was previously called as Mesopotamia. There were many early written records found where garlic has been mentioned as one of the best medicines. The first mention of garlic was found in a document written around 3000 B.C. It was a recipe written by the Sumerians.

Next mention of garlic was as a food where it can be brewed as tea or even can be mixed in wine for various medicinal purposes. According to those ancient Mesopotamian documents, it is quite evident that they used to eat garlic as well as drink it as a tonic with tea or wine. Based on the records, it is clear that garlic was their medicine during infectious fevers as well as during diarrhea. Even garlic teas were poured externally to treat sprains, strains and any painful swellings.

Also Read: Garlic as Ayurvedic Tonic: Builds Strength and Stamina, and Enhances General Wellbeing

Conclusion

So, from the history of garlic in ancient Indian and Mesopotamian civilizations, it is evident that it is an ancient herbal medicine. Though it all started in Mesopotamia and India, it spread out to many parts of the world.

Now, garlic is considered as one of the best natural remedies for many skin conditions and health problems throughout the world. Even the doctors and health specialists recommend having at least 4 to 5 cloves of garlic every day in the morning before eating any meal. It can be really great for keeping your stomach and heart condition perfectly well. Read: Garlic was Used in Ancient Greece and Rome as Food and Medicine