I have a child under 2 who has a wet cough. I was told that leaving an onion cut up in the room would help get rid of the virus. Halahically, is it safe to do that and close the room? What is the safe way of doing this?
Thanks.
Answer:
There is no halachic problem in doing this.
Although the Gemara (Nidda 17) writes that an “evil spirit” rests on peeled onions that are left overnight, and this is mentioned by a number of authorities (see here) we find no ramifications of this principle other than refraining from eating the onion.
Best wishes.
