DISCOVER THE HEALTH MAGIC OF ONIONS

ONION AS A HERB (HEALTH BENEFITS OF ONIONS)

As common as onions are and as often as we use them, they have got some wonderful health benefits they always offer.

• Nutritional values: Onions have a volatile oil known as allyl-propyl disulphide that gives onion its outstanding smell characteristic, its pungency. Onions contain vitamin B and traces of vitamin C, iron and calcium. They are relatively high in food energy, intermediate in proteins, and rich in riboflavin. They are also rich in Sulphur compounds like thio-sulphinates.

• Medicinal values:  The allyl-propyl disulphide and chromium present in onions decrease fasting blood glucose levels in the blood. The presence of a compound called gamma-glutamyl-trans-S-1-propenyl-L-cysteinsulfoxide (GPCS) helps fight osteoporosis by inhibiting the action of osteoclasts (cells that break down bones).
• Onion juice helps in treating edema owing to its diuretic effect and its syrup is also useful for extracting renal stones. Some of the most potent actions of onions are their anti-inflammatory (Nath et al., 2010), antimicrobial, and anti-coagulant properties. The properties are due to the presence of phytochemical constituents called flavonoids. In lay man’s language, onions are used to fight infections, also for fighting microbes and slows down the coagulation process therefore prolonging bleeding time. In some cultures, onion pastes are used to treat toothaches, skin infections, and piles (Augusti et al., 1996; Briggs et al., 2001; Slimestade et al.,2007).

• Onions have been experimentally documented to possess anti-cancer properties following the presence of catechol, protocatechnic acid, allins, thiopropiono aldehyde, and thiocyanates (Troll, 1989; Gonzalez et al., 2006). It also helps reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is the bad cholesterol that forms in the body and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It has been recommended to treat bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma and other respiratory problems (Patil et al., 2007).
• Its antioxidant property is exceptional due to the plentiful anticancer compounds present in it. Onions possess pain-killing properties (analgesic). In the treatment of pains resulting from piles, the consumption of onions daily in substantial amounts and the application of an ointment made of onion, turmeric, and Indian hemp in hot sesame oil helps a lot. Onions also prevent stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Applying onion juice to the scalp for at least 8 weeks helps improve hair growth in people with hair loss, a condition called alopecia areata.

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND WARNINGS

Onions are safe when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in food and taking up to 400mg of onion extracts for 6 weeks seems to be safe. The common side effect of the use of onion for the greater part of the population is tearing when the eyes are exposed to the volatile oils in the onions. Others include skin irritation following skin contact with onions and stomach distress after eating them.

The following are special precautions and warnings:

• Bleeding Disorder: Onions slow down clotting and this brings the concern that onions may increase the risk of bleeding when taken as a medicine. Don’t use onion extracts or medicinal amount of onions when you have a bleeding disorder.
• Cross – allergens: People with allergies to mugwort and celery might also be allergic to onion. Don’t use in medicinal amounts if you have these allergies.
• Diabetes: Onions might lower blood sugar. If you have diabetes and use onions in medicinal amounts, check your glucose levels regularly and carefully.
• Indigestion: One with indigestion issues shouldn’t eat onions in large amounts as it increases symptoms or intensifies them.
• Surgery: Onions might slow down blood clotting and also lower blood sugar levels. In theory, onions may increase the risk of bleeding or interfere with blood sugar control during or after surgical procedures. Stop using onion as a medicine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Also in ilealpouch-anal anastomosis (surgery to place a pouch near the anus), people with such surgeries might find that onion increases the feeling of gas. Don’t eat large amounts of onions when you have this surgery.

CONCLUSION

Onions are good, very good vegetables and are widely available. Use them for your food and use them as medicine as well when needed for good preventive healthcare of a healing procedure.

REFERENCES

• Nath, K. V. N., Rao, K. N. V., Banji, D., Sandhya, S., Sudhakar, K., Saikumar, P., Sudha, P., Chaitanya, R. K. 2010, J. Adv. Pharm. Res, 1(2), 94-100.
• Augusti, K. T. 1996, Indian. J. Exp. Biol., 34(7), 634-40.
• Briggs, W. H., Folts, J. D., Osman, H. E., Goldman and I. L. 2001, J. Nutr., 131(10), 2619-22.
• Slimestade, R., Fossen, and T. Vagen, I. M. 2007, J. Agric. Food Chem., 55(25), 10067-80.
• Troll, W.1989, Environmental Health Perspectives, 81, 59-62.
• Gonzalez, C. A. 2006, Int. J. Cancer., 118(10), 2559-2566.
• Patil, M. V., and Patil, D. A. 2007, Nat. Prod. Rad., 6(2), 152-157.
• www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-643/onion