By: Will Hastings
The Chinese have used garlic in their cooking and remedies for centuries. Known for its ability to boost the immune system, increase the appetite, and help clear up acne. But its not because of its exfoliating abilities that a high school in China’s eastern city of Hangzhou bought over 400 pounds of garlic to feed its student for lunch, reported the China Daily. No its to battle the swine flu epidemic which has nations biting nails world wide. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, with China being the worlds largest producer of garlic, about three fourths of the total; but with the global rescission farmers planted nearly half the amount than normal. This situation has some investors jumping for joy; one young man with no high school education had the foresight to buy enough garlic to fill a warehouse, now he has resold it for 15 times the wholesale price making him a millionaire. Gangs who had procured cash by other ill gotten means are now sinking their money into these bulbous goldmines. Economists worldwide expect this bubble to eventually burst, and someone is going to be left with more garlic then you could ever want. But for now whether you are looking for the H1N1 cure, a tasty additive to your meals, or just warding off unwanted sparkling vampires, garlic is the plant for you.
