are fresh onions a remedie for insomnia, and if so, why?

As far as I can tell, there is no scientific evidence that onions work as a remedy for insomnia. But then, there is also insufficient evidence that they are effective for any of the other things onions are used for.

Onions have been used for loss of appetite, atherosclerosis, dyspepsia, fever, colds, cough, high blood pressure, inflammation, infection, asthma, angina, dehydration, diabetes, to treat gas, worms, and infections, as well as insect bites, wounds, light burns, furuncles, warts, bruises, scars and as a menstruation aid.

For the insomnia remedy, it has been suggested to cut an onion and place it in a jar that you sniff before going to bed, or eat them in a salad or soup, juice one and then drink the juice (yuck!), or place the onion under your pillow.

Why does it work? Again, there’s no solid data that demonstrates its effectiveness though there are a few theories. In Chinese medicine onions are considered a warming food that help relax muscles. Others have suggested that onions contain riboflavin which may treat a deficiency causing insomnia, but if that were the case, why not just take the B vitamin alone? Finally, it might be a placebo effect.

The good news is that onions are Generally Recognized as Safe by the FDA so using them will not harm you, or pose a health risk. If you want to give the onion cure a try, you’ve nothing to lose but the cost of the onion! Maybe it will work for you.

If your insomnia persists, be sure to consult with your regular healthcare professional. Lack of sleep may be a symptom of an underlying health issue and can cause many problems. Be sure to seek help if your insomnia lasts longer than a few nights.