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The big, long slog" is what Sally King, Director of RavenCroft Garden, calls the transition from winter to spring — it's getting lighter, but it's still cold and damp. Our immune systems have taken a hit during the season-of-sugar, and many friends, family and co-workers are sick. It's a prime time to build immune strength and prevent or heal infections by adding herbs to our diets. "Food is medicine," Sally says, thankful that a herbal health giant such as garlic should happen to already grace so many kitchen counters.

Garlic bruschetta: Chef Julie Wuesthoff graciously allowed us to share her bruschetta recipe. (See Bruschetta with fresh from the Garden Tomatoes & Garlic.) Pre-dinner garlic cocktail: Blend pressed garlic and tomatoes, add herbs such as parsley, oregano, thyme and basil. Add a rosemary sprig to each glass. Infusions: Garlic honey: Press or chop about 6 small cloves of garlic and place in an 8-ounce jar. Fill the jar with honey. Use after a day or let it sit for a couple of weeks. When ready, leave garlic in or strain it off. Add the honey to your salad dressing or drizzle over any cooked foods. Keep it on the counter through any challenging period and take a teaspoon from time to time. Garlic vinegar: (Follow steps above using vinegar instead of honey.) It makes a great base for salad dressings or other sauces. More garlic greats: Garlic vinaigrette: see "Spring Greens Vinaigrette" in issue #1. Final seasoning: Add crushed garlic to cooked dishes such as spaghetti sauce or mashed potatoes right before serving. Or slice it thin and layer it on a sandwich.

Garlic, Allium sativum of the family Liliaceae, is one of the most extensively studied and common herbs. Herbalist Juliette de Bairacli Levy proclaims it "one of the few herbs found useful for all disorders of the human body." Stephen Harrod Buhner, author and educator on medicinal herbs, relays an impressive body of research on the benefits of herbs in his book Herbal Antibiotics. As a broad spectrum antibacterial, Stephen calls garlic "the most powerful herb for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant disease (followed by grapefruit seed extract)." (See "GSE," in issue #3.) In addition, garlic has strong antiviral qualities. An effective antifungal and antiseptic, it acts swiftly on candida, thrush, all kinds of worms, and skin infections such as athlete's foot, both when taken internally and applied directly to the affected area. It is also used to prevent and treat heart disease, influenza, HIV, arthritic inflammation and high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Anti-cancer queen: In Breast Cancer? Breast Health!, herbalist Susun S. Weed dubs garlic the queen of all the foods that prevent and inhibit cancer. It is high in selenium (considered the anti-cancer mineral), germanium, sulfur and isoflavonoids, all of which contribute to garlic's ability to counter the initiation, growth and recurrence of many kinds of cancers, including breast cancer.

Garlic foot wrap: As an alternative to antibiotics for bacterial infections such as pneumonia, Sally's family has used this remedy from their friend Dr. Steven M. Hall: Mince 4 cloves of garlic. Make a thick paste adding olive oil or unpetroleum jelly. Spread the mixture carefully on the soles of both feet. Then cover with a cotton sock and send your loved one to bed. Note: For a child or an adult with sensitive skin, spread mixture on a cloth and put the cloth between garlic and foot. Child's dose: 1 clove per foot.

Raw and ready: Garlic is an incredible healing agent for the immune system. Add garlic liberally to your cooking in raw, dried powder or granule form. It is also available as a tincture or in capsules. When you get that feeling that some little bug is coming on — or to treat an infection or illness that already has you firmly in its grip — raw garlic is best, taken in fresh or juiced cloves. Some of garlic's tremendous antibacterial and antiviral benefits derive from a chain reaction of compounds produced by bruising or crushing the clove.

Raw garlic is extremely pungent and powerful, so introduce it slowly. If you are sensitive to strong-tasting foods, start with small quantities and see how it feels before adding more. (See tasty raw-garlic recipes above.) And for that glorious garlic breath, Juliette de Bairacli Levy suggests chewing on fresh parsley, mint, basil or thyme.

For a year-round supply, Sally plants garlic around March and again on Halloween. "I plant my wishes for the next year, to be held in the ground through the winter." It's been a while since our family has planted garlic. What a lovely way to invite good health...

Resources:
Herbal Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating
Drug-Resistant Bacteria by Stephen Harrod Buhner
Common Herbs for Natural Health by Juliette de Bairacli Levy
Breast Cancer? Breast Health! by Susun S. Weed
Steven M. Hall, M.D. in Bellevue, Washington: 425-455-1222, extension 3
Chef Julie Wuesthoff: jw@speakeasy.net

Located near Monroe, WA, RavenCroft Garden is an educational center connecting people, plants and the earth. It is home to founder EagleSong, Community Centered Herbalist (CCH) and Director Sally King, CCH, who work with herbs as a foundation for creating health: 360-794-2938 or www.ravencroftgarden.com.

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