Can traditional remedies like onion salad or raw mango with salt and cumin prevent heat stroke?
"It's important to note that they are not scientifically proven methods for preventing heat stroke," said Mohini Dongre, senior dietician, Narayana Superspeciality Hospital Gurugram
With the temperature only soaring, the only concern hovering in most minds seems to be about heat strokes — one of the most serious heat-related illnesses caused due to the body’s inability to regulate its temperature — and effective ways to manage or treat the same. In case of a heat stroke, experts say that the body’s temperature rises rapidly, sweating fails to work, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, according to CDC.gov.in.
As such, when we were suggested traditional remedies for heat stroke — like onion salad, or raw mango with salt and cumin — we wanted to understand if these truly work. Here’s what we found.
Dr Santosh Pandey, acupuncturist and naturopath, Rejua Energy Center, Mumbai said that raw onions are a good source of potassium and sodium content. “It can contribute to the production of electrolytes in the body. The organic sulfur compounds in onion also reduce the level of cholesterol in your body, which helps in breaking down blood clots, thus preventing heat stroke,” Dr Pandey said.
According to Dr Pandey, a combination of raw mango, salt and cumin not only makes for a “delicious snack loaded with the richness of essential vitamin B niacin, antioxidants and fibre that promotes the heart health”, it helps in lowering cholesterol levels and improves blood circulation.
However, emphasising that traditional remedies like onion salad and raw mango with salt, cumin have been commonly used in certain cultures as a means to prevent heat stroke and may have “anecdotal benefits”, Mohini Dongre, senior dietician, Narayana Superspeciality Hospital Gurugram said that they “should not be relied upon as the sole means of preventing heat stroke”.
“While these remedies may provide some relief from the heat and help cool down the body, it’s important to note that they are not scientifically proven methods for preventing heat stroke,” she told
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