In the age of social media and quick fix health remedies, viral claims of herbal concoctions which promise to clean the uterus from diseases have grabbed much attention. One such viral claim has made its way through the Instagram reels suggesting that a simple herbal tea, made with red onion and shilajit capsules, removes uterine cysts, fibroids, and even controls the menstrual cycle. How accurate are these claims? Let's dig into the science of these claims, and sort out fact from fiction.

The Instagram reel claims to boil red onion in its skin and drink this concoction empty stomach or just before bed that will cleanse the uterus of cysts, fibroids, and so on. It is also promoting supplementary shilajit capsules. Some videos feature alternative medicine enthusiast Deepak Chopra who is preaching in this video. It promises women results right away-for example, how it can straighten out one's periods, get rid of reproductive health concerns, and other such benefits.

Medical experts refute all these claims vigorously. The uterus, they note, is a self-cleansing organ that doesn't need extraneous assistance to "detoxify" or "cleanse." Such claims lack scientific evidence, and in most cases, it's a matter of misinformation or even manipulated content, at times even generated with the help of AI.

It is important to understand why these claims fall short by grasping the nature of uterine cysts and fibroids.

Cysts

Fluid-filled sacs that develop in different areas, including the ovaries. Ovarian cysts are mainly benign and disappear over time without a need for surgical intervention.

Fibroids

These are abnormal growths found in the uterus. They appear in different sizes and cause the following symptoms; heavy bleeding, pelvic pain among others.

Both have to be diagnosed properly and receive adequate treatment. Medication or surgical methods may occasionally be necessary. Herbal teas and remedies, though helpful for general well-being, do not have the capacity to dissolve cysts or fibroids.

Lack of evidence and adequacy on the use of herbal preparations to the study done on uterine fibroids was concluded. That is, more studies of higher quality are needed to fully understand if herbal remedies can possibly contribute any positive effects on the health of the uterus.

Some medicinal plants and herbs are actually capable of exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities; however, their contribution toward addressing issues like those in fibroids and cysts had not yet been proven.

Foods That Can Promote Uterine Health

Although no food or beverage can prevent, eradicate, or kill fibroids or cysts, a healthy diet can be a useful tool in the reduction of possible risk factors and control of symptoms. Foods high in the essential nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins can have a general benefit for the reproductive organs.

Fruits and Vegetables: Produce such as apples, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, and citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruit) are rich in antioxidants and may reduce the risk of developing fibroids.

Calcium-Rich Foods: Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and fortified alternatives (soy, almond, or oat milk) are good sources of calcium and vitamin D, which studies suggest may reduce the risk of fibroids.

Vitamin D-Containing Foods: Some of these include light tuna, salmon, and rainbow trout, which provide immune health as well as balance to hormones.

Herbs and Spices for Uterus- Related Ailments

Even though red onion tea and shilajit cannot cleanse the uterus, a few herbs and spices may ease symptoms of disorders such as endometriosis or premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

1. Curcumin: This is a compound found in turmeric that has shown anti-inflammatory effects and may be able to suppress the production of estradiol, a hormone associated with endometriosis.

2. Chamomile: Chamomile tea has been used to alleviate PMS symptoms, and its active compound, chrysin, has been reported to inhibit the growth of endometrial cells.

3. Essential Oils: A combination of cinnamon, clove, rose, and lavender oils applied during aromatherapy massage reduces menstrual pain and bleeding.

4. Ashwagandha: This is an adaptogenic herb used to reduce stress, which can indirectly benefit women with hormonal imbalances or chronic conditions like endometriosis.

While the allure of natural remedies is strong, especially when presented as quick and easy solutions, it’s essential to rely on evidence-based healthcare. Self-diagnosing and experimenting with unproven remedies can delay necessary medical treatment and lead to complications.

Consulting a healthcare provider is critical for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans. Doctors can also provide guidance on incorporating safe and effective complementary therapies into your routine.

There is no scientific basis to support the fact that a simple herbal concoction can cleanse the uterus of "any disease," which misleads the individuals to follow some ineffective remedies. The uterus does not require any kind of external "cleansing" for it to work at its best, and cysts and fibroids are usually treated by proper medical care.

Generally speaking, a proper diet with essential fruits, vegetables, and supplements can help develop overall reproductive well-being, however, it shall not replace other medical treatments and interventions. Also, herbs and plants such as chamomile, turmeric, and ashwagandha have been confirmed to be efficient in treating most related conditions.

Always be up to date, follow trusted health care professionals, and beware of fads that promise miraculous improvements in health with less scientific proof. Your health deserves nothing less.

Herbal preparations for uterine fibroids. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009

Curcumin inhibits endometriosis endometrial cells by reducing estradiol production. ran J Reprod Med. 2013

Comparison of the effects of Matricaria chamomila (Chamomile) extract and mefenamic acid on the intensity of premenstrual syndrome. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2014

The effect of aromatherapy abdominal massage on alleviating menstrual pain in nursing students: a prospective randomized cross-over study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013

A Systematic Review of Human Trial Results Reported for the Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2014

Prolactin and cortisol levels in women with endometriosis. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2006

In India, over half of adolescent girls and women are anaemic; one-fifth have low Body Mass Index, while micronutrient deficiencies like Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 affect 60% and 53% of girls and women, respectively. The resulting lack of energy, poor ability to concentrate, bone pain, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and a variety of other health challenges cause significant loss of quality of life, poor productivity, and high morbidity among women.

The multifactorial causation theory of nutrition effectively defines that, alongside nutrition-specific factors, nourishment depends on nutrition-sensitive factors, including socio-economic and cultural factors, that are often shaped by communities.

Although women almost universally prepare food at home, gender norms compel women to prioritise serving food to family members before themselves, resulting in smaller portions and nutritionally inferior diets for themselves. This is particularly harmful to women when the demands of the body are high, such as during adolescence, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and peri-menopause. To break such harmful practices reinforced through generations, focused social and behaviour change (SBC) strategies that foster community action are essential.

Re-Positioning Women’s Nutrition for Effective Behaviour Change

The objective of SBC is to change knowledge, attitudes and practices of target groups and stimulate social change at the local and national level. Good SBC efforts can encourage community engagement, influence social norms, support policy advocacy, promote service uptake, reach underserved populations and foster a media environment that resonates with downstream engagement. Community Action can be an outcome of a good SBC effort.

An SBC approach meant to centre a woman’s nutrition needs within a household must target all decision makers within that family and community such as husband, mothers-in-law, elders, local leaders and other influencers. Rather than adopting a narrow woman-centred approach, messages that position the health and nutrition of a woman as central for the well-being of the entire family are more effective.

Communication strategies that emphasise outcomes that are valued by families, such as better nutrition leading to a reduction in sickness-related income loss, decreased healthcare expenditure, increased savings and improved productivity, are more appealing and acceptable in Indian and other similar societies. Such framing aligns women's nutritional needs with aspirations families are motivated to achieve.

Behaviour change rarely occurs after a single exposure to a message. New ideas gain acceptance when repeated consistently by trusted community sources like ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers, SHG leaders, Panchayat representatives, faith-based leaders, community elders, and frontline health workers. Consistent messaging across platforms builds trust, creates social acceptance, and gradually shifts expectations regarding women's health.

Also read: Eating 4–6 Servings of Whole Grains Daily May Lower Heart Disease Risk

Fostering Community-Led Collective Action

Evidence demonstrates that community-led collective action effectively shifts entrenched norms. Women's collectives provide safe spaces for discussion, peer learning, and collective problem-solving, becoming agents of social change rather than mere beneficiaries. Sustainable improvements require interventions operating simultaneously across multiple levels:

• Individual level: Knowledge, confidence, and agency for informed nutritional choices.
• Household level: Positioning women's health as essential for effective caregiving, household productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and overall family well-being.
• Community level: Women's collectives, SHGs, youth groups, Panchayats, and faith-based organisations fostering dialogue and establishing healthier behaviours as socially desirable.
• Institutional level: Frontline workers requiring training, supervision, and culturally appropriate tools for consistent messaging.
• Policy level: Integrating nutrition with livelihoods, women's empowerment, social protection, and primary healthcare rather than isolated sectoral programmes.

Also read: Can An Overweight Child Be Malnourished? Signs Of Hidden Malnutrition In Kids

Lessons from Implemented Programmes

JEEViKA, Bihar's State Rural Livelihoods Mission, demonstrates effective change. Rather than presenting maternal and child nutrition as isolated health issues, JEEViKA positioned nutrition within household well-being. Messages focused on how improved food practices enhance productivity, increase income, and strengthen family well-being. This framing resonated with household priorities and encouraged wider family participation, contributing to substantial improvements in dietary practices without directly challenging cultural norms. Messages were discussed during SHG meetings, reinforced through peer support, and complemented by frontline health services.

Alive & Thrive, implemented by FHI 360, generated important evidence on culturally grounded social and behaviour change communication in Bihar. Formative research found poor maternal diets driven less by food scarcity than by household norms regarding meal frequency, food allocation, and perceptions about eating during pregnancy. Importantly, many pregnant women were willing to consume more diverse diets when household members supported changes and messages addressed prevailing beliefs rather than simply providing nutritional advice. The programme emphasised repeated interpersonal communication, practical counselling, engagement of influential family members, and community-based reinforcement.

Food fortification provides a cost-effective population-level complement to this goal. Fortified staples can help bridge micronutrient gaps; however, they are complementary to, and not a substitute for, a balanced and diversified diet.

A comprehensive review across India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam concluded that integrating social and behaviour change interventions into community-based women's groups improves maternal and child nutrition practices through peer support, collective efficacy, and existing social capital.

The Way Forward

Improving women's nutrition requires moving beyond food distribution, supplementation, and knowledge-sharing. The challenge is fundamentally social as much as nutritional. Food availability creates opportunity, but social norms determine utilisation. Lasting improvements depend on transforming beliefs, behaviours, and relationships governing food allocation within households, demanding culturally grounded communication, repeated reinforcement from trusted actors, and sustained collective action through women's groups.

Women's nutrition should be recognised as a strategic investment in household resilience, economic productivity, community development, and national human capital, not solely a maternal and child health issue. When women are well-nourished physically and mentally, benefits extend far beyond individual health.

Future programmes should move beyond information dissemination towards community-owned social norm transformation, using collective action as catalysts for sustained behavioural change. This represents one of the most promising pathways for improving women's nutrition at scale while strengthening family health, livelihoods, and community resilience.

By Dr Amrita Misra, Visiting Professor, Azim Premji University

Whole grains are becoming more popular day by day because of their nutritional benefits, and a recent study has highlighted another major advantage of eating four to six servings. According to the study published in the European Heart Journal, eating four to six servings of whole grains every day may help lower the risk of heart disease. As heart disease is arguably one of the most fatal ailments, these findings, if true, can give hope to millions.

The research shows that eating a diet rich in whole grains may help to prevent heart disease. The study emphasizes that these foods reduce body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and glucose in the blood, which in turn play a major role in lowering the risk of heart disease overall.

The lead researcher Dr. Helda Tutunchi from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran said, "Although higher whole-grain intake has long been linked to better heart health in population studies, clinical trials have produced mixed findings. This left an important practical question unanswered: How much whole grain should people eat to meaningfully improve cardiovascular health?"

"To address this, we systematically combined and analyzed all available randomized controlled trials to identify the amount of whole grain associated with the greatest benefits." She added.

The findings came after trials conducted across Asia, Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. Notably, more than 6,500 people took part in these trials. The thorough analysis showed that whole grains significantly reduced people's body weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure, as well as levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and interleukin-6, a sign of inflammation in the blood.

The study suggested that these benefits might be seen in those who eat 30 to 40 grams of whole grains per day, but the maximum benefits were found in people eating 60 to 100 grams per day. This amounts to around four to six servings of whole grains a day—for instance, oatmeal, a sandwich made with whole-grain bread, and a serving of brown rice.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr Cecilie Kyrø of the Danish Cancer Institute in Copenhagen and her colleagues noted that more than 50 years ago, Sir Denis Burkitt and his fellow researchers suggested that refining staple carbohydrates—and removing the cereal fibre in the process—could contribute to a wide range of Western diseases by affecting stool volume, bowel transit time and the environment within the colon.

Whole grains are cereal grains that retain all three major components—bran, germ and endosperm—in the same proportions found in the intact grain. They can be consumed as whole kernels or flakes, or ground into flour and used to make bread and other foods.

When we think of malnutrition, we often picture a child who is thin or underweight. But malnutrition can sometimes look very different. An overweight child can also be malnourished.

A child may consume enough—or even too many—calories and still not get the nutrients needed for healthy growth. Diets high in processed foods, sugary drinks and refined carbohydrates can lead to excess weight while being poor in iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, protein and other essential nutrients.

This is particularly important today, when childhood overweight and obesity are increasing alongside micronutrient deficiencies. A child’s weight alone therefore cannot tell us whether the child is adequately nourished.

Parents need to look at the overall picture—growth pattern, height and BMI for age, dietary habits, physical activity and, when required, blood tests for specific deficiencies.

Parents should also remember that “eating more” does not always mean “eating better”. A balanced diet containing adequate protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and other nutrient-rich foods is essential.

The goal should not simply be a healthy weight, but a healthy, well-nourished child.

Dr. Ashish Gautam, Principal Director, Robotic Surgery, Laparoscopic & Minimal Access Surgery, Max Hospital, Patparganj