To Garlic or not to Garlic

On the Question about Garlic and Onions and why to avoid them?

The mention to not eat garlic and onions is found in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (I.59) and a few other texts. Breastfeeding mothers avoid garlic and onions because it causes a lot of issues in the infants digestive system: meaning it is hard to digest. The standard yogic (yaugika) diet for a practitioner is basically similar to what is good for a breastfeeding mother and/or baby to eat. It is simple and easy to digest. Literally, according to modern medicine, if you look at what a breastfeeding mother should and can't eat, or what foods are good and not good for a young child to eat, you will see it matches up with the yogic texts recommendations for a practitioner.

The Bhagavad Gita (XVII.7-9) says to eat food that promotes longevity (āyu), clarity (sattva),  strength (bala), health (ārogya), happiness (sukha), joy (prīti), and growth/well-being (vivardhana). Then it lists the qualities of such beneficial food and the qualities of food that has the nature ignorance (tamas). It does not directly state garlic, but it’s general qualities are listed as those to be avoided.

Everything you eat has a direct impact on the consciousness: what thoughts arise in the mind. For one focused on controlling or purifying or calming the mind, diet is a very important element. Basil is opening to the third eye and clarifying to the mind. Mints are great for the third eye and throat chakra. Hot peppers are great for the third chakra and the heart. Garlic and onions act on the first three chakras which is great if you have cancer, HIV or any type of debilitating or immune system issue. But it is very strong and directs the energy  from the other chakras to the first three. 

Ginger is one of my favorite herbs as it is a channel clearer and makes the energy equally balanced between all chakras. Often formulas with garlic or other intense herbs include ginger for this reason. So the Āyurvedic/yogic view is about eating what is needed for your personal situation.

 

Some people have tried to imply that Āyurveda doesn’t promote garlic (or even demonizes it), which is not the case. Garlic is considered alterative, anthelmintic, antiparasitic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, disinfectant, rejuvenative, and stimulant. Formulas containing garlic are used for parasites, flatulence, edema, heart disease, hysteria, sciatica, facial paralysis, tremors, tumors and fevers caused by vāyu. The oil of garlic is used for ringworm and to drop in the ear for an ear ache. Āyurveda also notes that it gives one bad breath and foul body odor. So it is used as a medicine when needed.

Different cultures have had positive or negative relationships to garlic. Jewish slaves in Egypt were given a daily ration of garlic and garlic was found in King Tut’s tomb. While the Greek upper class detested garlic and it was not offered to their gods. It’s worth reading a little more on some history of garlic in different cultures. 

In my own experience, I used to eat a clove of garlic a day till I met my first yoga guru. After a cleanse and meditation retreat with some Kundalini experiences, I started getting bad cramps in the morning (which I hadn't had previously) and when I asked one of the assistants he blamed it on the garlic. I stopped the garlic and my digestion has been so much better since, as well as my skin became clear of a particular type of acne. These days, if I am out to eat and something contains garlic (I don't get religious), but I can feel it after eating (cramps and gas) and it shows up on my skin the next day. I recommend my students not to eat garlic, but that is because they are on a path of insight. For the average individual, it is up to their own body-mind to choose.

In India the restaurants that don't serve meat, eggs, garlic or onions are called Shuddha (pure) vegetarian. And they are always right next to a meat eating restaurant so you have a choice. I won't call anyone silly for eating meat if they so choose and I hope not to be called silly for not eating garlic.