Garlic (Allium sativum) has had an important dietary and medicinal role for centuries. It is a large
annual plant of the Liliaceae family, which grows in most of Africa and in Ethiopia. Ethiopian garlic is
used in traditional medicine for infectious disease and some other cases. The present study tested the
aqueous extract of garlic in vitro for its antibacterial activity. The extract showed concentration
dependent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The traditional use of Ethiopian garlic
for infectious diseases and for controlling fever appears to be justified.