Aversion to Garlic

Vampires are also mystically repulsed by garlic plants.

In some parts of old Romania, windows and thresholds were smeared with garlic juice or decked with garlic flowers to ward off witches, vampires (strigoi/moroi), and other supernatural beings on such nights as the Eve of St. George (April 22) and St. Andrew's Eve (Nov. 29) when such creatures were believed to be especially active. Garlic was also used in other countries for the same purpose. These countries include Bulgaria and Bavaria.

Garlic could also be stuffed into the nostrils, eyes, and ears of a corpse to prevent vampirism. (Barber, 1988, 48). Although it does not cause them any actual harm, the wearing of at least one clove around one's neck is sufficient to ward off a vampire. Additionally, the vampire cannot use its shape-changing abilities while within about 20 feet of a garlic clove.

Origin

Like many superstitions which have been held over to modern day, tradition gave garlic its power against evil spirits, rather than a specific belief or reason. What is known about garlic is that it contains an antibacterial substance, which might very well have afforded some protection.  But the garlic was probably elected for its very special odour.

A vampire reputedly has the ability to spread death and disease through his very strong smell. Substances with even stronger smells negate that ability. (Barber, 1988, 131) In Romania, the nostrils, eyes, and ears of a corpse are stuffed with incense.  (Barber, 1988, 48)  Human feces (shit) spread on a cloth and then laid on the chest will repulse vampires (as well as humans), as will green nutshells or cow dung rubbed on the body. (Barber, 1988, 63)

During the early 1500 as the plague ravaged Europe, people turned to a concoction of vinegar and garlic called "Four Thieves' Vinegar." The name supposedly originated with four thieves who confessed that wearing a mask saturated with garlic vinegar protected them against catching the plague when they plundered dead bodies. 

Bram Stoker  was aware of Romanian folk belief concerning both garlic and vampires from, at least, the article by Emily Gerard, "Transylvanian Superstitions" published in the July, 1885 issue of the magazine The XIX Century.

"In very obstinate cases it is further recommended to cut of the head and replace it in the coffin with the mouth filled with garlic, or to extract the heart and burn it, strewing the ashes over the grave."

Emily Gerard also mentions the practice of putting square cut blocks of green turf in doors and windows on the Feast Day of St. George, April 23, to keep witches from entering houses, barns, and stables.

According to the Encyclopedia of Superstitions by Edwin and Mona Radford (Philosophical Library, 1949), garlic was hung about houses in Scotland on All Hollow's Evil to keep out evil spirits.

Almost thirty years after the publication of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Agnes Murgoci wrote in her article "The Vampire in Roumania" (Folk-Lore, December, 1926):

"Garlic keeps off vampires, wolves, and evil spirits, and millet has a similar action. On St. Andrew's Eve [Nov. 29] and St. George's Eve [April 22], and before Easter and the New Year, windows should be anointed with garlic in the form of a cross, garlic put on the door and everything in the house, and all the cows in the cow shed should be rubbed with garlic.

When vampires do enter, they do by the chimney or the keyhole, so these orifices require special attention when garlic is rubbed in. Even although the window is anointed with garlic, it is wisest to keep it shut."