According to widespread folk belief across multiple cultural traditions, cultivated garlic (Allium sativum)—particularly when hung or placed in specific home locations—acts as a potent defense against witchcraft and other malevolent supernatural forces. Its efficacy is attributed to several interrelated mechanisms: the plant’s strong, penetrating odor is believed to repel evil entities; its purifying nature neutralizes spiritual contamination; and its chemical constituents such as allicin are thought to disrupt magical currents. Additionally, garlic’s well-documented antimicrobial effects lent it a reputation for physical and spiritual cleanliness, reinforcing its role in protective systems.
Various deployment methods exist across cultures. In many European traditions, garlic is braided and hung above doorways or near hearths. Slavic customs emphasize placing individual cloves on windowsills or thresholds to block the entry of witches and harmful spirits. Mediterranean and Middle Eastern practices may include growing garlic in garden borders to shield the home from magical intrusion. Some systems also incorporate garlic into protective foods or ritual bundles to extend its defense internally and externally.
