Benefits of Putting Cloves in an Onion
You’ve probably heard the old saying:
“Stick a few cloves into a peeled onion and leave it in your room overnight to help with a cold!”
It sounds strange, but for generations, families have used this simple home ritual for comfort during illness, to freshen the air, and to help with stuffy noses. While it’s often shared as a folk remedy, there are a few interesting things worth understanding about it.
Let’s take a closer look at what it actually does.
Benefits of Putting Cloves in an Onion
🌿 Traditional Method
- Peel a whole onion (white or yellow)
- Insert 6–12 whole cloves into it
- Place it on a saucer or bowl near your bed
- Leave it overnight or for up to 1–2 days
People commonly say it helps by:
- Freshening the air
- Easing stuffy noses
- Promoting more comfortable sleep
- Masking unpleasant odors
🔬 What We Know
✅ Onions contain natural compounds
Onions have sulfur compounds and antioxidants that show mild antimicrobial effects in lab settings.
✅ Cloves contain eugenol
Cloves are rich in eugenol, a compound known for its strong aroma and natural antibacterial properties.
⚠️ But important reality check:
This combination does not actually “pull germs out of the air” or cure illness. Any benefits are mostly related to scent, comfort, and mild air freshening rather than treating infection.
💨 What you might notice
- A stronger, aromatic smell in the room
- A sense of clearer breathing due to scent exposure
- Slight humidifying effect from the onion
- Comfort from a familiar home remedy ritual
❌ What it does NOT do
- Cure colds or flu
- Replace medicine or medical care
- Remove viruses or bacteria from your body or room
⚠️ Safety note
If left out too long, onions can spoil or grow mold. It’s best to discard after 24–48 hours and avoid eating it afterward.
🌿 A gentler alternative
Some people prefer simmering onion, cloves, garlic, and ginger in hot water and inhaling the steam for a few minutes to help ease congestion.
✨ Final thought
This is a traditional home remedy that can offer comfort and a sense of relief, but it works more through aroma and ritual than actual medical action.
