Chinese scholars were praising the bulb as early as 3000 B.C., and slaves who built the pyramids ate a diet heavy in garlic to help with their stamina. The Vikings and Phoenicians packed garlic for their long voyages, and explorer Marco Polo noted that garlic had many uses around the world. From ancient times through World War I, garlic poultices were used to prevent wound infections. Louis Pasteur showed that garlic could kill bacteria. Today, the love of garlic continues, but for different reasons.
Some studies claim garlic can attack cancer cells.
But it seems its real role may be to reduce the odds of getting cancer. Garlic contains selenium, which is needed for heart muscle health and may decrease the risk for cancer. If a person has a selenium deficiency, the risk of developing cancer increases. Garlic in your diet may reduce this risk. It protects against cancer by detoxifying potent carcinogens.