Onion is not only a common vegetable in the daily diet of people, but also an effective medicine that can treat a large number of serious health problems. Consider the usefulness of onions for the human body, the features of onion therapy and methods of using the vegetable in folk and official medicine.

The chemical and vitamin composition of onions

The use of onions for the body is due to the high content of nutrients, in particular:

Calorie content and vitamin composition of onions

• fructose;
• sucrose;
• maltose;
• inulin polysaccharide;
• ascorbic acid;
• quercetin flavonoid;
• enzymes;
• saponins;
• mineral salts of potassium;
• phosphorus;
• gland;
• volatile;
• malic acid;
• citric acid;
• iodine;
• glycosides;
• pectins.

Did you know? The world leaders in the cultivation and consumption of onions are India and China, they produce about 45% of the crop. But Libya leads the way in the consumption of vegetables per capita, where 33.6 kg per year is per person.

Useful and harmful properties of onions

• Useful properties of onions are presented:
• the content of volatile, which are capable of killing pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses, in particular, diphtheria and tuberculosis bacilli accumulated indoors;
• improved appetite, stimulation of increased production of gastric juice and better digestion of food;
• active work of the testicles in the production of sperm;
• normalization of the hormonal background and the establishment of regularity of menstruation;
• diuretic effect, the ability to remove toxins and toxins from the body;
• antiseptic and bactericidal effect;
• increased immunity to infectious and colds;
• mild laxative effect, gently affecting the gastrointestinal tract, relieving constipation.

The danger from the daily consumption of vegetables in large quantities lies in the negative impact on the cardiovascular system. Onions provoke an increase in blood pressure, so people with hypertension should abandon the consumption of vegetables for medicinal purposes.

It acts as an irritant to the nervous system, contributes to a negative reaction from a sick heart, and therefore can cause asthma. However, the daily consumption of a small amount of onion will not harm the body. Also, a vegetable can disrupt metabolic processes, as it stimulates the production of large amounts of mucus and gases.

Important! Onion juice is sometimes used in the treatment of eyes and nasopharynx, however, such drops can provoke severe irritation, burning and itching, therefore it is strictly not recommended to use them.

Onion treatment of various diseases

Onions are used in the treatment of many diseases as the main component for the preparation of medicines, so we will consider what problems a vegetable can solve and how to use it correctly in a particular case.

Stomach diseases

Onion medicines in the form of syrups are used for diseases of the pancreas and biliary tract. To prepare the product, 1 kg of chopped vegetable is mixed with 2 tbsp. sugar and sent to the oven at a temperature of 150 degrees.

It is necessary to simmer the vegetable for 1-2 hours, until the resulting syrup acquires a golden color. The resulting product is filtered off, poured into a glass container, stored in the refrigerator. Take the medicine for 1 tbsp. l 3 times a day, regardless of food intake for 2 months.

Eye diseases

A fresh product is not recommended for use in the preparation of medicines for the eyes, since severe irritation of the mucous membrane can be obtained. However, boiled vegetable and its decoction do not have an irritating effect and are actively used to treat inflammatory processes, bacterial diseases, as they have an antiseptic effect.

Onions peeled from husks are boiled over low heat for 40 minutes, filtered, 1 cup of the product is mixed with 1 part of boric acid and used to wash the eyes. The procedure is performed 4 times a day. Such therapy is necessarily used with other drugs as an adjuvant.

Purulent wounds, abscesses, ulcers

It is recommended to treat purulent wounds, ulcers and abscesses with onion-based ointments. To prepare one of these tools, you should combine 1 tbsp. finely chopped vegetable, pork or goat fat. The resulting medicine is applied to the affected area of ​​the skin and bandaged with a gauze bandage. The bandage should be worn all day, and a new one should be done at night. Repeat the procedure until the problem disappears.

Scalp treatment

Onion masks can improve hair condition, stabilize growth processes, and activate hair follicles. Vegetable juice is used simply for rubbing into the scalp or cosmetics are prepared on its basis, adding other active ingredients that enhance the effect.

Consider several recipes for masks with different effects:

1. Coconut Oil Mask - relieves inflammation of irritation from the use of aggressive cosmetics. For the mask use 2 tbsp. onion juice and coconut oil, add a couple drops of any essential oil to neutralize the unpleasant smell of onions. All ingredients are mixed, the resulting mixture is spread on the scalp, left for 30 minutes, then rinsed with warm water using shampoo.
2. Mask with olive oil - stimulates the growth of new hairs, restores damaged, diseased hair. To prepare the product, mix 3 tbsp. juice and 1.5 tbsp. oils, applied to the skin with massage movements, left for 1 hour, washed off with warm water and shampoo.
3. Castor oil mask - activates hair growth, resists hair loss. For cooking, mix 2 tbsp. juice and oil, the resulting liquid is rubbed into the scalp, left for 1 hour, washed off with warm water and shampoo.

Tensile tendons

For the treatment of sprains, an onion compress is used, which has an analgesic, warming and restorative effect on the tendons. To prepare a compress product, mix the pulp obtained from 2 onions (ground in a blender) and 1 tbsp. salt. Put the mixture in 4 layers of gauze, squeeze the juice slightly and apply on the affected area 2 times a day for 3 hours. The procedure must be performed within 2 weeks.

In the treatment of acne, warts, to remove freckles

A positive effect can be obtained from the use of a fresh vegetable in the treatment of dermatological problems and for lightening the skin of the face:

1. For the treatment of acne apply freshly squeezed onion juice, which is applied to the affected areas of the skin with a clean cotton sponge. To achieve a positive effect, the number of procedures per day should be at least 3-4.
2. To get rid of warts, It is recommended to use a vegetable soaked in vinegar (1 large onion is cut into several parts and soaked in vinegar for 2 hours). Next, the vegetable is applied to the warts and bandaged with a bandage, leave for 2 hours.
3. Remove freckles from the skin and lighten age spots a remedy with onion juice will help. Vegetable juice is combined with cucumber juice in equal parts and rub the problem parts. The procedure should be carried out regularly, 5-6 times a day until the desired result is obtained.

Video: Removing age spots and freckles with onions

In the treatment of colds

With a cold, an effective method of treatment is the use of onions.

To help the body cope with the disease, it is recommended:

• carry out inhalation. It’s very simple to make the product: you should beat with a blender or grind 1 large onion and inhale the essential oil that is released into the air, covered with a towel for a longer effect. The duration of inhalation should be 10 minutes, it is recommended to repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day until the condition improves. Such inhalation is also very effective for tonsillitis and other bacterial diseases of the oral cavity and throat. An effective means for inhalation is vegetable gruel, which is poured with boiling water and, covered with a towel, inhale the vapor with phytoncides secreted by onions. The procedure should last 5-10 minutes, several times a day;
• take onion syrup. To prepare the medicine, you need to cut 2 onions, fill the glass bowl with gruel, pour 0.5 cups of sugar, mix, tightly close the lid and insist 5 days in the heat. Strain the syrup and use 1 tbsp. 4 times a day for 15 minutes before meals. Such a remedy is also recommended for acute and chronic bronchitis;
• drink milk with onion juice. For 1 cup of milk, use 1 onion, finely diced. The mixture is boiled for 15 minutes, removed from the heat, wrapped in a thick towel and insisted for 1 hour, filtered. Take a therapeutic drink is recommended for 1 tbsp. 5-6 times a day after meals.

Ways to use onions

Depending on which health problem you need to solve, onions can be used in different ways, we will consider each of them in more detail.

Inhalation

Pairs that are secreted by onions contain healing essential oil, which is why the vegetable is often used in the treatment of colds and viral diseases. Inhalations with fresh onion or its decoction have an antibacterial, antiviral, anti-edematous effect on the body, clear the nasopharynx of mucus, and kill bacteria. To achieve the best effect, the vegetable is finely chopped or chopped with a blender. Inhaling therapeutic vapors should be covered with a thick cloth or a large terry towel.

Compresses

Onion compresses have an analgesic and healing effect, relieve inflammation and are used to stretch purulent formations on the skin surface. A vegetable-based compress warms well, so it is often used to treat otitis media. A compress applied to the chest helps with bronchitis and colds with a strong cough, it has an expectorant effect, facilitates breathing, and relieves the characteristic "burning" in the chest with a dry cough.

Infusions

You can treat kidney and bladder diseases with infusion of onion husks. Such a tool cleanses the body, fights inflammatory processes, and facilitates the work of the liver. The infusion is able to get rid of worms, roundworms and pinworms, has a mild effect on the body, so it can be used in the treatment of children.

The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect of the infusion is very appreciated in the treatment of diseases of the oral cavity - stomatitis, tonsillitis. Mouthwashes must be diluted with water to obtain a weak solution and used regularly throughout the day.

Decoctions

For broths, husk is used, which has an expectorant, diuretic, laxative, antispasmodic, choleretic, vasoconstrictive and antimicrobial effect. Decoctions from the husk with hypertension and atherosclerosis are very appreciated.

Important! Onions lose a large amount of vitamins during the heat treatment, therefore, a decoction of vegetables is not suitable for stimulating the immune system.

Onion juice and gruel

Onion juice is the main component in the preparation of syrups, it is also used in cosmetology along with onion gruel for face masks (for acne, freckles and age spots) and scalp (as an effective tool for repairing damaged hair). Onion juice is drunk with other auxiliary components in the treatment of colds, viral diseases as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent.

The use of onions in the production of medicines

In official medicine, onions are not as popular as in folk, but they are also used in the manufacture of certain medicines. For example, the drug Allylchep, containing onions, treats diseases such as atherosclerosis, intestinal atony, and diarrhea. Another drug used in the manufacture of onions is Phytolysin, which is used to treat problems with the urinary system.

Did you know? Onion is the most popular vegetable, it is grown in 175 countries.

What diseases can not be eaten onions

• Contraindications to the use of onions is the presence of:
• diseases of the liver, kidneys and gall bladder during an exacerbation or in a chronic form of the course;
• hypertension
• individual intolerance to the body.

Thus, onions are a useful vegetable not only for immunity, but also used to treat a large number of diseases in the form of infusions, decoctions, compresses and as cosmetics. To get the maximum effect from the use of onion-based medicines, it is recommended that you carefully read the recipes and follow the tips for their use.