**2. Origin and distribution**

Garlic is native to India (Central Asia), where was considered a spice with mystical implications due to its medicinal attributes. Egyptian hieroglyphs and Roman texts refer to garlic as a source for health and strength required for physical work. During the Middle Ages was used to prevent cholera. Nowadays, it is known for its antiseptic, diuretic, vermifuge and vasodilator activities. It also stimulates bile and stomach secretions, and acts against atherosclerosis and thrombosis.

Spaniard conquerors carried with them garlic; first to Cuba and, later, to the rest of the American colonies. Early reports of garlic fields in Mexico appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century, and fifty years later, the central region of Mexico (Bajío) was the main area for garlic production. The time of harvest in that region made possible to start exporting surplus, since at that time of the year the world production is low.

Garlic species are widely distributed on boreal areas having temperate climates and mountainous areas from tropical regions. Most of the species diversity is found from Mediterranean countries to Central Asia. USA is considered as diversification center for *Allium* (Lagunes, 2009).
