You have probably heard that onions have traditionally been used in home remedies for many different everyday ailments.
For instance, some people use onions when they deal with nausea, and onions are very often used in folk medicine as a food that supports the work of the immune system.
Onions belong to the Allium family and they are loaded with sulfur compounds, which is why they have been studied for their antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
This vegetable is also packed with antioxidants, especially quercetin, which supports the body's effort to deal with free radicals.
Onion juice is a traditional home remedy for respiratory discomfort because it is believed to act as an expectorant.
In addition, onions are a popular part of diets aimed at supporting heart health, and many people include them when they deal with arthritis or high cholesterol levels.
Thanks to their sulfur and flavonoid content, onions also fit well into a balanced diet for people who watch their blood sugar. They do not replace any medication your doctor has prescribed.
As previously mentioned, people have used onions in traditional medicine for centuries.
How to Use Onions and Get the Most from Them
- Colic – according to folk tradition, the Cherokee prepared a mild onion water for colicky infants by boiling a small quantity of sliced yellow onion in water, letting it cool, and straining it. Do not give this or any other home remedy to a baby without asking your pediatrician first.
- Chest congestion – take one onion, place it in some coconut oil, and crush it. You should get a paste that is smeared on the chest. Use a dish towel to cover the chest and put a shirt on top of it.
- Ear discomfort – take one onion, chop it, and place the pieces in a sock (a thin sock is better). After that, tie the stuffed sock. Put the onion sock on top of the affected ear and use a hat to hold the sock in place. Many people find the warmth soothing. See a doctor if you suspect an ear infection or if the pain does not pass.
- Cough – take a large onion, peel it, and slice it into two equal parts. Next, take two tablespoons of brown sugar and put one tablespoon on each half. Wait for one hour before consumption. This remedy is traditionally taken two times a day to soothe a cough.
- Cuts – the onion has a thin transparent film between its layers. In folk practice, this film is placed over small cuts to cover them. Clean any cut well first, and get medical help for deep or heavily bleeding wounds.
- Fever – take one onion and slice it into very thin pieces. Massage the bottoms of your feet with some coconut oil, place a thin onion slice on the arch of each foot, and use cling wrap to hold the slices. Put your socks on before bedtime and leave the onion on during the night. This is an old folk custom; its effect has not been confirmed by research, and a high or lasting fever needs medical attention.
- Freshen the air – some people put pieces of onion in different parts of the home because they believe it freshens the indoor air.
- Nausea and vomiting – take one yellow or white onion. Wrap the onion in cheesecloth and press it to squeeze out the juice. Prepare a cup of peppermint tea and wait until it gets cold. Take two teaspoons of onion juice and wait between 5 and 10 minutes before you take two teaspoons of cold peppermint tea. Once again, wait for 5-10 minutes before taking onion juice again. Repeat this procedure until you feel relief. Some people report that the nausea settles within 15-20 minutes, but results vary.
A Few Other Ways to Use Onions
- Cut an onion and rub it onto your skin to keep insects away
- Rub some onion juice on the scalp, a traditional hair-care practice
- Use onion juice to protect your belongings from moths
- Boil some onion juice and, when it is cold, spray it on your plants to protect them against bugs
- Take an onion slice and rub the iron with it to keep it safe from rusting
- Use onion slices to polish and clean glassware and copper
- Cut an onion and massage your skin with it, a folk practice for freckles.
Many Native American tribes have relied on this vegetable during flu and cold season. Onion also has a long history of traditional use for bronchitis, coughs, and congestion.
Onion remedies have been used for hundreds of years, and this is one of the few vegetables with so many traditional uses. So, onions are worth keeping in your kitchen, but if symptoms are severe or do not improve, see your doctor.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.