Herby Tip: De-Ice with Garlic

Reader Contribution by Gina Souders
Published on December 19, 2008
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<p>Last night, I was surprised to hear on the news what Ankeny, Iowa recently used to de-ice their roads: <a title=”garlic salt” href=”http://www.abc15.com/content/news/webxtra/story/Iowa-city-uses-garlic-salt-to-melt-snow-and-ice/BE3BM8aC_kON7g-EUAovKQ.cspx” target=”_blank”>garlic salt</a>.</p>
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<p>Photo by <a title=”dogfaceboy” href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogfaceboy/” target=”_blank”>dogfaceboy</a>/ Courtesy flickr</p>
<p>The garlic, which was mixed with regular road salt, was donated by spice producer <a title=”Tone Brothers, Inc.” href=”http://www.tones.com/” target=”_blank”>Tone Brothers, Inc.</a> The nine tons of garlic salt would have ended up in a landfill if it hadn’t have been for this donation.</p>
<p>It’s great to see how people continue to discover new ways herbs can be used in this modern day in age, but I have to wonder how this new use really works. Why did they have to mix the garlic salt with regular road salt? Was the use of less road salt the main benefit, saving road salt for future icy days? Or was the benefit a sustainable solution for using landfill-destined waste. Does garlic salt actually work best for ensuring safety on the roads? And wouldn’t the roads smell like a pizza joint? Tell me what you think!</p>
<p>I’ll leave you with these <em>Herb Companion</em> garlic articles:<br />
• <a title=”The Goodness of Garlic” href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/cooking-methods/the-goodness-of-garlic.aspx”>The Goodness of Garlic</a>
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• <a title=”Garlic: Nature’s Gift for Life” href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/garlic-natures-gift-for-life.aspx”>Garlic: Nature’s Gift for Life</a>
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• <a title=”Garlic Makes it Good” href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/cooking-methods/garlic-makes-it-good.aspx”>Garlic Makes it Good</a>
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