Onion

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Alternative medicine: Onion

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Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:30:53 GMT

Egyptians worshipped onions, believing its spherical shape and concentric rings symbolized eternal life and have medicinal effects. Botanical: Allium cepa (LINN.) Family: N.O. Liliaceae Synonym: garden onion, bulb onion, and shallot Habitat: There are over 600 Allium species, distributed all over Europe, North America, Northern Africa and Asia. Description: There are many different varieties of onion, red, yellow, white, and green, each with their own unique flavor, from very strong to mildly sweet. Part Used: Bulb. Constituents: Onion like other Alliums are characterized by their rich content of thiosulfinates, sulfides, sulfoxides, and other odoriferous sulfur compounds. The onion is about 85-90% water, 7-10% carbohydrate, 1-2% protein and about 33% fat. About 100 grams of onion has roughly

30 calories. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (120 unit), B (20mg), C (5mg), potassium, magnesium, silica, calcium, several enzymes (oxidase), sulfuric compounds, glucokinine (a herbal insulin), inulin, Quescitine (flavonoid), betacytostrol, citric acid, phosphate, wax, gum, thiopropanal and saponins. The cysteine sulfoxides are primarily responsible for the onion's flavor and produce the eye-irritating compounds that induce lacrimation. The thiosulfinates exhibit antimicrobial properties. It should be noted that, the stronger the flavor of an onion, the higher its health-promoting properties. Western Yellow, New York Bold, and Northern Red onions have the richest concentration of flavonoids and phenolics, and are known to be the onions with the greatest antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity. Onions are not as potent as garlic as their sulfur content is about one-quarter the level found in garlic.

Medicinal Uses: Due to the anti-inflammatory agents in onions they help reduce the severity of symptoms associated with conditions such as the pain and swelling of the osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, the allergic inflammatory response of asthma, and the respiratory congestion associated with common colds. The onions anti-inflammatory effects are not only due to their vitamin C and quercetin, but other active components called isothiocyanates have made onions a good ingredient for soups and stews during cold and flu season. WHO recommends the use of fresh onion extracts for treating coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis and also relieving hoarseness. The World Health Organization also supports the use of onions for the treatment of appetite loss and preventing atherosclerosis. Similar to garlic, the regular consumption of onion lowers blood pressure and the serum levels of cholesterol and

triglyceride, while increasing HDL levels. As a result, it prevents atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, and reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Onions are considered as one of the small number of vegetables which reduce heart disease risk. This beneficial effect is attributed to its vitamin B6, which lowers homocysteine levels, an important risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Onions are natural anti-clotting agents due to their sulfur content. In ancient Greece, large quantities of onion were consumed in order to lighten the balance of blood. The high amounts of fructo-oligosaccharide in onions stimulates the growth of healthy bacteria and suppresses the potentially harmful bacteria in the colon such as Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella, and E. coli. Sulfides in onion extracts provide protection against tumor growth especially stomach and colon cancer. Roasted onions are good for earaches. They

have also been recommended for treating headaches, snakebites, hair loss and infertility in women. In many parts of the world, onions are used to heal blisters and boils. Products containing onion extract (such as Mederma) are used to treat scars, they also relieve itching secondary to allergy. In homeopathy, Allium cepa is used for rhinorrhea and hay fever. Onions are believed to be effective in diabetes. Its Allyl propyl disulfide and chromium can decrease fasting blood glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance, and lower insulin levels. Onions may be especially beneficial for women, who are at increased risk of osteoporosis during the menopause. Onion's gamma-L-glutamyl-trans-S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (GPCS) inhibits the osteoclasts (the cells which break down bone) activity and fights osteoporosis. Onion syrup is useful in extracting renal stones. Onions are also a recommended treatment for

edema due to their diuretic effect. They also promote the menstrual periods. Caution: Consuming large quantities of onion can lead to stomach distress and gastrointestinal irritation that may result in nausea and diarrhea. It may also cause thirst, amnesia and condensate sputum. Lemons can help remove onion odor. PKH/HGH

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