Why Indians Carry Onions in Their Pockets During Summer Heatwaves

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently sparked widespread conversation after advising citizens to carry a raw onion in their pockets as protection against India’s intensifying summer heatwaves. Speaking at an event in Chambal, he recalled the age-old practice, urging people not to forget traditional wisdom even as modern medicine advances.

The Ancient Ayurvedic Belief Behind the Practice

The tradition of carrying onions during summer has deep roots in Ayurveda. Practitioners have long believed that raw onions possess cooling properties that help regulate body temperature and protect against heatstroke. When kept close to the body, onions are thought to absorb excess heat, acting as a natural shield against the scorching sun. This belief has been passed down through generations across rural and urban India alike, particularly in regions where summer temperatures routinely exceed 45°C.

Ayurvedic texts also point to the onion’s ability to balance the body’s internal heat — known as “pitta” — making it a go-to remedy during extreme weather conditions.

What Modern Experts Say

While scientific evidence directly supporting the pocket-onion practice remains limited, nutritionists and naturopaths acknowledge that onions contain quercetin and sulphur compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming raw onion is widely recommended during summer to prevent heat exhaustion. Some experts suggest that the tradition, though largely symbolic when carried externally, encourages a broader cultural awareness around heat protection.

As heatwaves grow more frequent and severe across the Indian subcontinent, Scindia’s remarks have reignited public interest in blending Ayurvedic wisdom with everyday health habits — reminding millions that sometimes, the oldest remedies are worth revisiting.