Yes there is an element of truth in this old remedy.

Here is the outline of the research project that proves it -- at least as far as annelid vampires go.

OBJECTIVE — To evaluate the effect of ale, garlic, and soured cream on the feeding behaviour of leeches.
DESIGN — Controlled experimental setting. Leeches were randomized to different pretreatments (beer) or different preparations of the application site (soured cream or garlic).
SETTING — Division for General Practice, University of Bergen, Norway.
SUBJECTS — Two batches of six leeches each.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE — Time from application to biting one of the authors.
RESULTS — Leeches dipped in Guinness Stout bit after 187s, those dipped in Norwegian Hansa Bock bit after 136s, and the controls bit after 92s. Leeches exposed to soured cream bit after 25s (controls 34s). Two leeches briefly placed on a forearm smeared with garlic died after 2 ½ hours.
CONCLUSIONS — Beer disorganized the leeches' behaviour, skin contact with garlic proved lethal, while the effect of soured cream was uncertain.

Moral: Don't bathe in beer.
here.

Awesome! No wonder all the drunk dummies end up vampire food, yet I remain blissfully vampire-free. More garlic for everyone! Garlic bread! Garlic salt! Garlic garnishes! Garlic everywhere! Muah-ah-ah-ah-ah!

Is there no S.P.C.A, P.E.T.A, or Humane Society in Norway ?? Feeding leeches garlic after getting them intoxicated, scandalous!

Some modern scholars have argued that vampire stories may have been influenced by a rare illness called porphyria. The disease is a blood disorder that disrupts the production of haem. Porphyria was thought to be more common than elsewhere in small Transylvanian villages (roughly 1000 years ago) where inbreeding probably occurred. The haem group, found in every blood cell in the human body, is excited by electrons, but in a controlled fashion. However, the haem groups in porphyria sufferers causes uncontrollable tissue, bone and skin damage, made worse when the person comes into contact with sunlight.[clarify] This would have given the porphyria sufferer a very pallid skin colour, with teeth that appear larger than normal, due to the porphyria damaging the gum tissue and causing it to recede. These people would have been very anemic, and drinking (animal) blood was a traditional treatment for anemia. - Wikipedia, Vampirism

Attacks of the disease can be triggered by drugs (e.g. barbiturates, alcohol, sulfa drugs, hormonal contraception, sedatives and certain antibiotics), other chemicals and certain foods. Fasting can also trigger attacks.

In some forms of porphyria, accumulated heme precursors excreted in the urine may cause various changes in color, after exposure to sunlight, to a dark reddish or dark brown color. Even a purple hue or pink urine may be seen. Heme precursors may also accumulate in the teeth and fingernails, giving them a reddish appearance. - Wikipedia, Porphyria

Another study I read years ago indicated an aversion to strong smells. So, not only does that explain the garlic/vampire story, but also the persistent story that roses repel vampires. (If you've even been to Bulgaria, a hotbed of vampire lore, you'll notice that everything in the villages smells like roses. In Hungary, they smell like peppers. In both places, you'll see windows and doorways decorated with one or the other, or garlic.)

So my Hungarian grandmother was right!

i'm not sure how true vampires are, but i never have doubted the supernatural.
When I visited the Philippines, I used to spend time with a few relatives. It was in the province where there was no lights no indoor bathroom.
I went outside and heard aswangs. I hated it, they were loud, i heard wing like things..I didn't like it..I knew they were aswangs...
I don't like to talk abou waht I saw..

What are aswangs? Is an aswang kind of like a wendigo? (One artist's vision of a wendigo.)

Also here.

An Aswang is a ghoul in Filipino folklore - also referred to as a shape shifter, monster, or witch. They are found in the mountain areas and stay away from the city. During the day they are "average" towns people and at night they turn into a bird or bat (sometimes pig or dog). Oh and they love to eat children with their fave parts being the heart and liver. Kinda makes you think of an urban legend created to put fear in young children so they wouldn't go out at night

a lil bit Georgia, but I used to hear things like that a long time ago. I don't know what it was, but it was something.

"...sometimes pig.."


It looks like this one was about 4 people. That's an 11 year-old boy standing behind the hog.

Oh. In my day it was the Sidehill Gougement that 'got' little kids who left their bedrooms late at night and slipped outdoors to enjoy the summer moonlight. And were never seen again. Except for huge tracks, leaving the farmhouse area. And drips of blood.

quote:

Yes there is an element of truth in this old remedy.

Kinda funny Babs, do you believe in Vampires?
If so, why? Is it kinda like me believing in God? Or, have you seen a vampire? Don't get me started.

dang that things huge, is that real?

Honi speculates, "Babs, do you believe in Vampires?"

Reluctantly, I must admit "no".

Honi asks, " ...have you seen a vampire? "

Gosh, no. And I really, really hope I never do!

Just in case you ever do, carry a cross and/or a mirror at all times! They all look like Bela Lugosi.

That can't be too bad, Frank. The 46 year-old Lugosi had a heated affair with the 23 year-old Clara Bow. She was at her peak of film popularity at the time.