Food made from onion and garlic is considered to be tamasic and rajasic food.Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism talk about living beyond onion and garlic.Science says it is very beneficial in curing cancer and many diseases.
These days Shardiya Navratri is going on. Many people consider these 9 days as sacred and keep a daily fast. Even those who do not keep fast, they stop eating garlic and onion these days. It is believed that garlic and onion are tamasic foods, hence they should not be consumed. After all, why distance is maintained from these two on holy days? Are there any scientific or religious reasons for this? However, Ayurveda also advises not to use them.
Ayurveda calls onion tamasic and garlic as rajasic. In the scriptures, Brahmins have been strictly prohibited from both and have been asked to stay away from them. Regarding how food affects the biological functions of the body, food is generally divided into three forms in Ayurveda – Satvik, Tamasic and Rajasi. By eating these three types of food, Sat, Tamas and Raja qualities circulate in the body.
What is satvik food?
Satvik food is related to the word Sat. One meaning of this is that the food should be pure, natural and easy to digest. Another meaning of Rasa also comes from this word i.e. that which has juice useful for life.
Hindu religion and Ayurveda do not consider consumption of onion and garlic appropriate. (image generated by meta ai)
Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, curd, milk are satvik. It is good to use them. Regarding satvik food, there is mention in the texts Shandilya Upanishad and Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Mithaahar or eating less food i.e. eating according to hunger is considered appropriate.
vengeful and royal food
The word Tamasic is derived from Tamas i.e. darkness, that is, first of all, this type of food means stale food. This food causes heaviness and laziness for the body. It is said to include things like flatulent pulses and non-vegetarian food.
Rajasic food is very spicy, spicy and arousing food. Both these types of foods have been said to be harmful rather than beneficial for health and mental development. It has been said that such food creates disorders and desires in the body.
Now let’s talk about onion and garlic
The scientific principle of Ayurveda emphasizes on eating appropriate food according to the seasons. Navratri comes twice in the Hindu calendar in a year. One is Chaitra Navratri and the other is Shardiya Navratri.
Onion and garlic and other plants of this family are classified as rajasic and tamasic foods (photo shutterstock)
The weather is changing at both the times. In a way, this time of Navratri is like a transition period between changing seasons. Shardiya Navratri occurs immediately after the rains and in the season before winter. Chaitra Navratri occurs between the end of the cold season and the arrival of the summer season.
So this is the time between two seasons. According to Ayurveda, the body’s immunity decreases during seasonal changes, hence common infections like cough and cold are often seen.
Food affects our goodness, desires, and ignorance. Onions and garlic and other plants in this family are classified as rajasic and tamasic foods, meaning they increase our desires and ignorance.
This logic says that not only in this season but also at any time of changing seasons, eating satvik food is most suitable for body and health. There are dangers in eating Tamasic and Rajasic food and in general this type of food is not considered conducive to health.
Jainism and Buddhism directly prohibit the consumption of onion and garlic in any form. (image generated by meta ai)
Why is onion banned even in some religions?
There are many religions in which eating garlic and onion is prohibited. You will find many restaurants and eateries, where it will be written – Food is not cooked with garlic and onion here. You will find some people who completely avoid garlic in their food.
Especially in Hindu and Jainism, there is talk of prohibition of onion and garlic. This has also been done in Buddhism. Even among Hindus, Vaishnav people generally stay away from it. It is never used in the food items of any puja. Jainism talks about abstinence from eating any root food. If it is consumed, it is because it hinders the body from awakening its consciousness. Do not allow the mind to concentrate.
Kurma Das, a famous chef and writer, neither eats onion nor garlic. He says, “I am a devotee of Krishna and do Bhakti Yoga, hence I neither eat garlic nor onion. Devotees of Lord Krishna avoid both of these.” Why so. There is a long answer to this.
Why prohibition in Buddhism and Jainism
Jain food is lacto-vegetarian. It does not include root vegetables like garlic and onions to prevent small insects and microorganisms from causing harm.
Strong-smelling plants such as garlic and onion are avoided in Buddhism, as they are believed to increase sexual desire when cooked and anger when eaten raw.
Both are harmful for meditation and devotion.
According to Ayurveda, the biggest reason for staying away from onion and garlic is that it is harmful for meditation and devotion. If it is consumed, it is because it hinders the body from awakening its consciousness. Do not allow the mind to concentrate.
Garlic is an aphrodisiac
Spiritual people generally do not eat onion and garlic because they affect your nervous system. Ayurveda says that garlic is like a tonic in case of loss of sex power, which works as an aphrodisiac.
Ayurveda also says that after some time of chewing onion, the density of semen decreases and motility increases. As a result, lust increases. Eating onion during rainy season causes stomach disorders like indigestion etc.
Why does science say it is very beneficial?
Cancer prevention – Allium vegetables like onion and garlic may reduce the risk of certain cancers, including stomach and colorectal cancer. A 2015 review found that people who ate the most allium vegetables were 22% less likely to develop stomach cancer.
Beneficial in heart related diseases – Garlic and onion extract may help heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and reducing the risk of blood clots.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties –Garlic and onion extracts have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
Other biological activities – Garlic and onion extracts also have other biological activities, including anti-diabetic, anti-hyperhomocysteinemia, and immune-modulatory properties.
Beneficial in prostate cancer – Garlic and onion may have chemopreventive activity against prostate cancer. This may be due to the organosulfur compounds (OSC) present in these vegetables.
Get fiber, potassium, iron and vitamin C – Onion is an important dietary source of carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, iron and vitamin C.
Selenium – Garlic is a richer source of selenium than other allium vegetables.
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FIRST PUBLISHED: October 9, 2024, 11:46 IST