FOOD AS MEDICINE
Amid H1N1 Flu Fears Garlic Prices Surge in China
Rumors that garlic helps defend against the H1N1 virus have sent prices of garlic rocketing in recent months
Garden of Healing®
BEIJING
Garlic prices have jumped so high in China recently that the crop has outperformed gold and stocks to be the country's best performing asset this year.
As H1N1 swine flu continues to worry China's leaders, its people seek a more traditional remedy. Just as some Chinese turned to turnips to prevent the SARS virus in 2003, garlic has emerged as a swine flu fighter in 2009.
"Garlic kills bacteria, and I eat at least half a bulb each day," says Liu Zhan, 43, whose prices have leapt from just five cents a pound in February to almost 55 cents today.
Although Chinese government experts have cautioned consumers about the lack of scientific proof for garlic's flu-killing powers, its supporters remain adamant. "Garlic can definitely help prevent swine flu," claims Li Jingfeng, chairman of the Jinxiang Garlic Association in eastern China's Shandong province.
Self-promoted as China's "hometown of garlic," Jinxiang county grows a quarter of all garlic in China, which in turn provides more than a quarter of global output, says Wang Hao, marketing manager for the China Garlic website. Jinxiang, whose name means Gold Village, has enjoyed its best sales year, says Li.
"Next year, the price will be even higher, but our American and European buyers still think it's cheap, as garlic sells for $6.60 for a pound in their countries," he says.
© 2009 The Garden of Healing® Company. The Star Raconteur™. All Rights Reserved.
Amid H1N1 Flu Fears Garlic Prices Surge in China
Rumors that garlic helps defend against the H1N1 virus have sent prices of garlic rocketing in recent months
Garden of Healing®
BEIJING
Garlic prices have jumped so high in China recently that the crop has outperformed gold and stocks to be the country's best performing asset this year.
As H1N1 swine flu continues to worry China's leaders, its people seek a more traditional remedy. Just as some Chinese turned to turnips to prevent the SARS virus in 2003, garlic has emerged as a swine flu fighter in 2009.
"Garlic kills bacteria, and I eat at least half a bulb each day," says Liu Zhan, 43, whose prices have leapt from just five cents a pound in February to almost 55 cents today.
Although Chinese government experts have cautioned consumers about the lack of scientific proof for garlic's flu-killing powers, its supporters remain adamant. "Garlic can definitely help prevent swine flu," claims Li Jingfeng, chairman of the Jinxiang Garlic Association in eastern China's Shandong province.
Self-promoted as China's "hometown of garlic," Jinxiang county grows a quarter of all garlic in China, which in turn provides more than a quarter of global output, says Wang Hao, marketing manager for the China Garlic website. Jinxiang, whose name means Gold Village, has enjoyed its best sales year, says Li.
"Next year, the price will be even higher, but our American and European buyers still think it's cheap, as garlic sells for $6.60 for a pound in their countries," he says.
© 2009 The Garden of Healing® Company. The Star Raconteur™. All Rights Reserved.
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