Onions Will Protect Us From Swine Flu

[Daniel Rogov]

I adore urban myths and "the common knowledge". The following is now making the round on the internet these days and received from half a dozen sources by email:


"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 place 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 bacteria, therefore keeping the family healthy.

Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser in Arizona. She said that several years ago, many of her employees were coming down with the flu, and so were many of her customers.

The next year, she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work .. . . (And no, she is not in the onion business.)

The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office, or under your desk, or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year, and we never got the flu. If this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better. If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case. Whatever, what have you to lose? Just a few bucks on onions!

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties".


Psychology, anthropology, sociology, physics, chemistry and mathematics have one thing in common and that is a highly technical term to describe such conclusions. That term is "abject nonsense" or, if one prefers "pure and unadulterated bullshit".

Let me give an example. On the Greek island of Corfu, the vast majority of people who live both in Corfu town and in the countryside hang cloves of garlic at each of their windows, this because they believe it prevents vampires from entering and taking their souls. That it works is obvious to all Corfiots. After all, no-one on the island has been bitten by a vampire since 1686.

Not to misunderstand - I love onions. I love them raw, fried, steamed, boiled as part of a soup. I love them in the form of onion rings and as part of many salads. I can even enjoy a mustard and onion sandwich from time to time. Despite that, ain't gonna be no bowls of onions scattered around my home or office!

Best
Rogov

[ChefJCarey]

May this house be safe from tigers.

[Daniel Rogov]

May this house be safe from tigers.

Chef, Hi....

I suspect you and I both know the story about the man in Connecticut who kept snapping his fingers. When asked why he was snapping his fingers continuously, he responded "To keep the tigers away". His interlocutor responded with amazement, "But there isn't a tiger within a thousand miles from here". The guy smiled and responded: "See....it works"

Best
Rogov

[Tom NJ]

I know there has to be a leek in that logic.....

[Daniel Rogov]

I know there has to be a leek in that logic.....

An excellent pun but one that gives rise to yet another, shall we say, metaphysical belief.

The leek is the national symbol of Wales. Most credit that to the command by Saint David to his soldiers to wear a leek on their heads during a battle against the Saxons. Because the battle took place in a field of leeks this may have been not so much a miracle as it was an early attempt at camouflage.

Truth is though that the Welsh belief in the leek as miraculous dates back to the Druids who believed that the leek could cure the common cold, alleviate the pains of childbirth and to offer protection against being struck by lightning. It was also said that if a virgin girl was to place a leek under her pillow the face of her future husband would appear to her in her dreams.

What can I say save for "Lord love a virgin"

Best
Rogov

[David M. Bueker]

As with any myth there are likely more layers to be uncovered.

[Daniel Rogov]

As with any myth there are likely more layers to be uncovered.

Ah, but peel an onion to its end and nothing remains whatsoever.

Best
Rogov

[Tom NJ]

I'd never heard that St. David anecdote before. Not even from my Welsh Corgi, who is usually very good about relating anything of interest (to him). I'll have to remember that trick should I ever encounter any belligerant Saxons. Thanks!

Virgins sleeping with leeks, huh? Not to channel Freud or anything, but are you sure it was their future husbands' faces they were supposed to divine?

[Daniel Rogov]

Tom, Hi....


Let us never forget the good doctor's own words: "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar".

Best
Rogov

P.S. I must say that I am enjoying this thread.

[Jenise]

As with any myth there are likely more layers to be uncovered.

That's a pretty thin-skinned thing to say.

[ChefJCarey]

May this house be safe from tigers.

Chef, Hi....

I suspect you and I both know the story about the man in Connecticut who kept snapping his fingers. When asked why he was snapping his fingers continuously, he responded "To keep the tigers away". His interlocutor responded with amazement, "But there isn't a tiger within a thousand miles from here". The guy smiled and responded: "See....it works"

Best
Rogov

Yep, and the Alexander King book of the same name. I think he said a Buddhist friend of his said it every time he left his apartment in New York.

I also liked the name of his other book - Mine Enemy Grows Older - talking about himself.

[Bobby S]

Baking Soda will also save you form the swine flu, according to this link:

http://sodiumbicarbonate.imva.info/

[Daniel Rogov]

Bobby, Hi.....

I followed that link and, like a good boy, I read through it. Only one question remains.....in the symbol for Arm and Hammer Baking Soda, just whom are they planning on hitting on the head?

Arm and Hammer.jpg (7.98 KiB) Viewed 1215 times

[Bobby S]

Anyone who thinks using their product will cure swine flu?