In addition to flavoring our dishes and salads, onions are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients that are good for your health. This food is a true health ally. Zoom on 12 of its medicinal virtues.
Onions are part of the super foods. They hold a myriad of health benefits and are extremely versatile. Onions contain high levels of vitamin C, folate, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. They are also rich in antioxidants.
Here are 12 homemade onion remedies that can be used for the most common ailments:
Colic in children
Several parents testified that a teaspoon of onion juice (boiled and then chilled) works like magic. The onion strengthens the stomach and regulates digestion because it stimulates the liver and gallbladder.
Insect bites
For a small insect bite, take a slice of raw onion and rub the juicy side against the infected area. The onion could reduce both pain and swelling. It is effective because it has a germicidal property thus allowing to act as a disinfectant.
Hair loss
A study published in The Journal Of Dermatology has shown that the application of onion juice on the scalp, would help regrow hair in some people. The researchers found that it started after 4 to 6 weeks in 74% of participants. This is explained by the fact that the application of onion juice promotes good blood circulation of the scalp and therefore a greater growth of the hair. In addition, the onion contains sulfur that improves the production of collagen tissue, essential for normal hair growth.
The cuts
Rub a slice of onion against the wound. Its anti-inflammatory properties are effective for the treatment of infections.
Ear infection
The heat of the onion soothes the pain immediately and its vapors help fight the infection.
Bake an onion in the oven for about 15 minutes at 300 degrees. Crush it and wrap it in a clean cloth and put it in the infected ear. Repeat as often as necessary to soothe the pain. Be careful, the onion should be hot and not burning.
Cough :
Start by grating an onion and then recover its juice. Mix the juice with honey and let stand for at least four hours.
All you have to do is take 1 spoon of honey and onion mixture twice a day to relieve your cough. Honey will soften the throat that is cough-irritated and act as an antimicrobial agent. As for the onion its expectorant power that will promote the elimination of bacteria and boost the cleaning of the airways.
Chest congestion
The mixture of onion juice and lemon juice is considered to be the most effective remedy for relieving chest congestion.
Collect the juice of an onion and mix it with lemon, honey and water. Then heat this mixture and take it 3 to 4 times a day.
Vomiting
Onion juice improves the function of the stomach and intestines as explained previously. It will give you a slight laxative sensation. Drink a teaspoon of onion juice, then wait 5 minutes. Then drink two tablespoons mint tea.
Purification of the air
Take an onion cut in half and put it in a bowl. Cut onions have the ability to absorb bacteria and germs that are at home and are responsible for various diseases. They are also effective in eliminating odors in cupboards, rooms, refrigerators, etc.
Inflammation of the throat
Chew pieces of raw onion to relieve a cold or sore throat. Onions can kill germs and reduce inflammation of the throat.
Minor burns or sunburns
The onion heals tissue damage and helps restore the skin due to its antiseptic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effect. In case of burns, onion juice soothes pain and redness. However, it should be noted that the onion juice should be applied immediately after extraction, because after a few minutes, the juice loses its healing properties.
Fever
Place onion slices under the arch of each foot and wrap them in socks. This trick can absorb toxins and fight against germs.