Garlic

Garlic is my favorite go-to remedy for many things, and it always has been! When I was growing up, it was a staple in my mother's kitchen. She added it to nearly everything she made, much like many people use salt and pepper. Her response to coughs, sniffles, and sore throats was always an immediate dosage of garlic-- for everyone in the house!

My mom wasn't a witch, but she was raised in a Native American family who believed in the medicinal properties of plants. I thought she was just crazy back then, but now that I'm grown up (and a bit of an herbalist, myself!), I know that her beliefs actually had merit.

Now I'm just as enthusiastic about it as she was! Although my fiancee hates the taste of it and won't often tolerate food that contains any detectable amount, I still use it regularly in other ways!

• Protection spells. Most of my protection spells contain garlic in one form or another, whether it be whole, minced, or powdered. It has significant protective properties, and is wonderful for warding!
• Pest control. I always plant garlic in my garden right along with all of my veggies and herbs. It is a natural repellent for pests that I don't want on my plants, particularly aphids! I also rub garlic juice on my dogs (little bits in strategic places where I know they can't lick it off or get it in their eyes) to repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
• Medicine. Just like when I was a kid, I always ingest garlic at the first sign of a cold. It is a natural antibiotic and helps keep common colds at bay. It's also wonderful for sore throats! I mince it into hot water and gargle with it to help fight the infection during a cold.

I like it so much is because it's so easily accessible. It's usually about half a dollar for one bulb at the grocery store, and there is always an abundance. It's easy to store and keeps for long periods of time as long as it's kept dry. It's also very easy to grow at home in the garden or in pots!

Do you use garlic for any of your own magical endeavors?  How does it work for you?