Are Onions The Cure-All The Internet Would Have You To Believe?

You have probably seen this email or Facebook post circulating around the internet about onions curing the sick just by being placed in a dish next to the afflicted. The story goes like this: 

FW: ONIONS FOR COLLECTING THE FLU VIRUS

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died.

The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home, (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and placed it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the virus, therefore, keeping the family healthy. Put sliced onions on a dish beside your bed and you will begin feeling better almost overnight.

This weekend I was suffering from the flu and decided to give it a try. I followed the instructions to the letter and found the old wives tale, was just that.

Onions do attract bacteria, that is why after you slice them you should cover and refrigerate until your are ready to serve them. But onions as a cure-all would do you more good put into a blender with garlic, jalapeños, cilantro and tomatoes then taken orally with a corn chip.

Now I have to get the smell out of my bedroom. Thanks again internet.