Why should we not eat Onion & Garlic? | Scientific, religious & logical answer | Yagnesh Suthar's Blog 2023

Ayurveda is an absolute knowledge about health & wellness.

Because, unlike modern science it is not only focusing on the gross aspect of the human body. But, Ayurveda focuses on all the aspects of our body i.e. Sthool, Sukhsma & Karana body.

Also, it is focusing on three different Gunas (quality/attribute/property) & three Doshas (it is that which can cause problems). 

In Ayurveda, onions and garlic are considered to be tamasic and rajasic foods, respectively. Tamasic foods are said to increase inertia, dullness, and negativity in our body & mind. Whereas rajasic foods are said to increase passion, restlessness, and anxiety.

According to Ayurveda, onions and garlic have the following negative effects on the body and mind:

• Tamasic Effects of Onions:

  1. Heat-Producing: Onions are considered to have a heating property that can exacerbate Pitta dosha imbalances, leading to symptoms like irritability, anger, and inflammation.

  2. Dullness and Lethargy: Onions are believed to induce dullness and sluggishness, hindering mental clarity and alertness.

• Rajasic Effects of Garlic:

  1. Sleep Disturbance: Garlic is associated with disrupting sleep patterns, making it difficult to achieve restful sleep.

  2. Energy Depletion: Garlic is believed to drain energy levels, leaving individuals feeling depleted and fatigued.

  3. Agitation and Restlessness: Garlic is thought to increase rajasic qualities, leading to agitation, restlessness, and difficulty maintaining composure.

  4. Increased Sexual Desire: Garlic is considered to have an aphrodisiac effect, which may not be suitable for those seeking to control or minimize sexual thoughts and desires.

Logical evidences for Onion's effects on mind:

• Onions contain sulfur compounds that can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes. This irritation can lead to feelings of discomfort, frustration, and even anger.
• Onions can also cause digestive problems, such as gas, bloating, and heartburn. These problems can be uncomfortable and disruptive, and they may also lead to feelings of anger or irritability.
• Onions are a high-histamine food. Histamine is a compound that can trigger allergic reactions, and it can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and restlessness. These feelings can sometimes manifest as anger.
• Onions are a pungent food that can have a strong odor. Some people find this odor to be unpleasant or even offensive, and it may trigger negative emotions, such as anger.

In addition to these general effects, Ayurveda also has specific reasons for avoiding onions and garlic in certain situations. For example, onions are avoided during Navratri, a Hindu festival that is dedicated to worshiping the goddess Durga. This is because onions are said to increase tamasic qualities, which are incompatible with the spiritual discipline of Navratri.

Garlic is also avoided by some yogis and spiritual practitioners, as it is said to interfere with meditation and spiritual growth. This is because garlic is said to increase rajasic qualities, which can make it difficult to focus and achieve a state of stillness.

However, Ayurveda uses both Onions & Garlic for medicinal purposes. Because of its certain properties, it has been used as medicines in several different diseases & conditions. Even though, it has been advised to not eat them because of their nature & gunas that they possess. 

You might have noticed that after you eat Onion, you get angry. That is because of its nature. As per the Srimad Bhagvad Geeta Chapter 2 verse 63: 

क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोह: सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रम: |

स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति || 63||

Meaning: 

Anger leads to clouding of judgment, which results in bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, the intellect gets destroyed; and when the intellect is destroyed, one is ruined.

Source: https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/2/verse/63

So, Anger is like a powerful storm that sweeps through our minds, obscuring our ability to see things clearly. Just as a thick fog blocks our vision, anger clouds our judgment and makes it difficult to make rational decisions. This clouded judgment can lead to memory lapses, making it hard to recall important information or make sound connections between ideas.

When our memory becomes unreliable, our intellect, the foundation of our understanding and reasoning, starts to crumble. Without a clear and stable memory, our ability to think critically and solve problems diminishes. This weakening of the intellect can lead to poor choices, missed opportunities, and even self-destructive behaviors.

It is not just about anger, but also about desires. Hence, Onions and Garlic are advised not to eat. It is not a forceful rule or implementation but it is just advice that helps you become intelligent from all the aspects of thinking. 

So, that’s it for today, if you have any doubt or question, feel free to ask me in the comment below, I will try my best to provide you with right information with right intentions & interpretations. 

Thanks for choosing the right path to improve your life in this “busy world”.

References:

• Swami Sivananda. (2013). The Science of Yoga. DK Publishing.
• Vasant Lad. (1984). Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing. The Ayurvedic Institute Press.
• Acharya Balkrishna. (2012). The Power of Ayurveda: A Beginners Guide to India's Ancient Healing System. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.