For generations, families have used simple home rituals to bring comfort during cold seasons, and one well-known practice involves placing cloves into a peeled onion and leaving it in a room overnight. Passed down through parents and grandparents, this method is thought to freshen the air and create a soothing atmosphere, especially when someone feels congested or unwell.
The tradition is simple: a peeled onion is studded with whole cloves and set on a small plate near the bed. Many people find the aroma calming and familiar, and while some believe it eases stuffiness, others see it as a way to improve the room’s air.
Modern science offers partial context for the practice. Onions contain compounds with mild antimicrobial properties, and cloves are rich in eugenol, long valued for its aromatic qualities. Together, they release a strong scent that may temporarily make a space feel fresher and provide a comforting sensory experience.
It’s important to note that this ritual does not cure illnesses or eliminate germs from the air. Its real benefit is psychological and emotional: creating a soothing environment and honoring a family tradition of care.
When used safely and discarded after a day, the clove-studded onion can offer gentle comfort, especially during sick days, serving as a small, familiar gesture of nurturing and wellbeing.
