Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s viral claim that carrying an onion can beat the heat has drawn medical pushback. Doctors warn such myths can mislead during heatwaves, when hydration, rest and early care — not folk remedies — determine whether heat stress turns dangerous
Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s comments suggesting that carrying an onion in one’s pocket can help withstand extreme heat have gone viral, drawing a firm medical rebuttal from doctors who say the practice has no scientific basis. The episode also highlights how widely held myths continue to be mistaken for scientific thinking, particularly during heatwaves, when clear, evidence-based advice is critical.