For centuries, our grandmothers have kept secrets hidden in their kitchens—simple tricks that seemed strange at first glance, yet worked wonders for health, home, and even the air we breathe. One such tradition is sticking cloves inside an onion. It may sound odd, but this old-world remedy has deep roots in traditional medicine and continues to amaze scientists today.
So what really happens when you put cloves in an onion? Let’s uncover the truth behind this humble yet powerful combination that has been passed down for generations.
🧅 A Tradition Born From Necessity
Long before refrigerators, air purifiers, or chemical disinfectants, people relied on natural ingredients to preserve food, purify the air, and ward off illnesses.
One of the most beloved remedies in households across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East was a simple onion pierced with cloves.
Grandmothers believed it could:
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Purify the air and prevent infections
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Repel insects and bad odors
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Boost immunity and clear respiratory passages
Today, science is proving that this wasn’t just folklore — there’s real chemistry behind it.
🌸 The Power Duo: Onion and Clove
🧄 Onion – Nature’s Air Purifier
Onions are rich in sulfur compounds and quercetin, a powerful antioxidant with antiviral and antibacterial properties. When sliced or pierced, onions release enzymes that help absorb toxins and pathogens from the air.
That’s why many people in the past placed an onion in their bedrooms when someone was sick — believing it could trap airborne germs and ease congestion.
🌿 Cloves – The Tiny Spice With Giant Healing Power
Cloves contain eugenol, a natural compound with potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic properties. It’s the same substance that dentists once used to relieve toothache!
When inserted into an onion, cloves gradually release their fragrance and essential oils, amplifying both ingredients’ purifying effects.
Together, they form a natural antibacterial and aromatic air cleanser that not only smells pleasant but also supports respiratory health.
🌬️ 1. For Purifying Indoor Air
During cold and flu season, or when you feel the air is heavy or stale, place a clove-studded onion in your living room or bedroom.
As the onion slowly releases its natural sulfur compounds, and the cloves emit eugenol, they work synergistically to neutralize bacteria, viruses, and unpleasant odors.
How to do it:
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Take one medium onion and peel it.
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Insert 6–10 cloves evenly across its surface.
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Place it in a small bowl or on a plate near your bed or desk.
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Replace it every 2–3 days for best results.
You’ll notice a fresher, cleaner atmosphere — without chemical sprays.
🌡️ 2. For Soothing Colds and Congestion
Many grandmothers swore by this remedy during winter. When someone had a stuffy nose or a cough, they would cut an onion in half, stud it with cloves, and leave it beside the sick person’s bed overnight.
The aroma helps clear nasal passages naturally and may support the body’s immune response.
Some even boil the mixture in water, allowing the steam to fill the room — a gentle, natural vapor therapy.
🦟 3. To Repel Insects Naturally
The strong scent of cloves combined with the sulfur in onions is a natural insect deterrent.
Mosquitoes, flies, and even moths dislike the aroma. You can place the mixture near windows or kitchen corners to keep bugs away — safely and without toxins.
Tip: For extra effect, add a few drops of lemon juice on top!
🍽️ 4. In the Kitchen: Flavor and Preservation
Did you know that cloves and onions aren’t just for health—they also work culinary magic together?
In traditional stews, broths, and sauces, cooks often pierce an onion with cloves before simmering it in stock. This trick infuses subtle warmth, depth, and sweetness into dishes.
It also helps preserve homemade broths by slowing bacterial growth.
Try this:
When making homemade soup or rice, add one clove-studded onion to the pot, then remove it before serving. The flavor will surprise you — delicate yet rich.
🩺 5. Supporting Immunity and Respiratory Health
When inhaled or consumed in small amounts, both onion and clove support the respiratory system, helping the body fight seasonal viruses.
They’re also rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation and support the immune response — especially during cold months.
You can even make a simple clove-onion infusion:
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Boil 1 sliced onion and 3 cloves in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes.
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Strain and add honey if desired.
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Drink warm to ease sore throat and cough symptoms naturally.
💡 Grandma’s Wisdom Still Works
What makes this trick timeless isn’t just its effectiveness, but its simplicity. No need for fancy machines or synthetic fragrances — just the pure, natural synergy between two everyday kitchen ingredients.
In a world filled with artificial solutions, the clove-onion remedy reminds us that nature still holds some of the most powerful answers to everyday problems — from purifying the air to protecting our health.
🏡 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re fighting a cold, keeping your home fresh, or simply curious about ancient remedies, the combination of onion and cloves is worth rediscovering.
So next time you see your grandma quietly piercing an onion with cloves, you’ll know she isn’t just following superstition — she’s practicing a form of natural wisdom that modern science continues to validate.
✨ Simple. Natural. Effective — just like Grandma’s best secrets.
