It is an
important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments.
The botanical name for Onion is Allium cepa Linn which belongs to the Liliaceae
family. It is widely called as Queen of the kitchen because of its high flavor,
aroma, and unique taste.
Hindi – Piyaz
Kannada – Nirulli, irulli
Bengali – Pyanj
Malayalam – Chuvannaulli
Telugu – Nirulli
Tamil – Vengayam
Punjabi – Ganda
Marathi – Konda
Gujarathi – Dungali, Dungari
Onion is originated in central Asia. India
and it is widely distributed all over the world. India is considered the second
largest onion cultivating country in the world and India, is found in Maharastra,
Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana,
West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and Telangana
The onion is a perennial herb that produces
a strong smell and it grows up to 20 cm in diameter and the stem plant is 100 cm
tall and 30cm in diameter which is inflated. The leaves are green in color and
it looks like flat, thin, 2-3spathe like bracts that enclose the flower during
its younger stage and the seed of this plant is back in color and it is convex
on one side and flattened at another side. The bulb of the plant can be white,
red, purple, and yellow which usually takes 80-150 days to harvest. Its first
harvesting takes place from November to January and the second harvesting in
January to May.
Part used: Bulb and Seeds
Taste: Pungent
Potency: Hot
On
chemical compound analysis of The Onion, it includes
Cycloallin, quercetin, oleanolic acid,
allyl propyl di9sulphide, protein (1.2%), carbohydrates (11.6%), and it also
contains Calcium, iron, vitamin E, and B1.
Onion bulb contains: Volatile oil like
allyl propyl disulfide, allicin, and alllin, flavonoids, phenolic acids,l
thiosulphates, and sterols
ACTIONS:
Antioxidant
Antibacterial
Antiviral
Anticancer
Anti-inflammatory
Hepatoprotective
Antidiabetic
Anti-hypertensive
Anti-platelet
In Greece ancient times they used onion as
a blood purifier for athletes
In Rome, they used to rub the juice of
onion to make the muscles firm
The Greek and Phoenicians used to prevent
scurvy and the Greek physician Hippocrates used the onion for healing wounds,
diuretics, and pneumonia
The onion paste is applied to the
inflammation and wounds then covered with bandages
The fresh juice or oil of the onion is poured
into the ears to treat ear pain
The onion juice is poured into the
nostrils to treat nasal bleeding
To control bleeding piles and disorders
onion is cut into small pieces and boiled with more quantity of milk. Consume
this milk to treat bleeding disorders
The onion paste is heated and apply this
on the affected area to treat joint pain and nerve pain
To increase the sexual vigor and vitality
take the sweet onion and roast it with ghee
The fresh onion juice is used to treat
fever that occurs due to the indigestion
To increase the sperm count take the onion
seed powder and mix it with pomegranate juice and consume the drink
To treat cough, asthma, sore throat take
ghee roast onion
The
dose of the drug used according to the physician
Onion
juice: 10-20ml
Onion
seed powder: 1-3g
Onion
contains Sulphur which has antithrombotic properties so it should be avoided
during surgery because it may increase the risk of bleeding
Kindly
avoid consuming onion if you are taking any anticoagulant drug because the use
of onion may cause thinning of blood
Onion
contains indigestible carbohydrates which produce digestive problems so the
patients who are having irritable bowel syndrome kindly avoid the excess intake
of onion
It
is considered safe to use onion the patients during breastfeeding
Onion
helps to reduce the blood sugar level, monitor the blood glucose level if you
are taking any other anti-diabetic drug along with onion
Onion
helps to reduce the blood pressure, monitor the blood pressure if you are
taking any other antihypertensive drug along with onion
Do
not use this herb if you are allergic to the constituents of the onion
Kindly
avoid using this herb during pregnancy
Diabetes
mellitus:
Traditional use: According to Ayurveda, diabetes is known as
Madhumeha. It occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha dosh and impaired
digestion. Impaired digestion leads to the accumulation of toxins in the
pancreatic cells and affects insulin function. The use of onion control
diabetes by maintaining the function of insulin normally by balancing the
Vata-Kapha and improves impaired digestion.
Modern
view: The use of onion improves the metabolism of glucose and sensitivity of
insulin. Onion contains quercetin which helps to fight against the free
radicals by its anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic properties and it also helps to decrease
the risk of developing a diabetic complication
Hypertension:
Onion
contains Quercetin which lowers blood pressure and protects the blood vessels
from the free radical damage by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and
cardioprotective activity.
Diarrhea:
Traditional
view: According to Ayurveda, Diarrhea is called Atisar. Usually, diarrhea
occurs due to mental stress, improper food, water, environmental toxins.
Diarrhea occurs due to the imbalance of Vata. This brings the fluid into the
intestines and mixes it with stool which leads to diarrhea. Onion control
diarrhea by its light activity which makes the stool too thick and also reduces
the episodes of motion
Prostate cancer:
Onion
contains Quercetin, apigenin and fisetin has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory
properties which produce its action by inhibiting the growth and multiplication
of cancer cells and leads to cell death so the use of onion control the
prostate consumption and reduce the risk for developing prostate cancer
Asthma
Traditional
view: According to the Ayurveda, asthma occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and
Kapha doshas in the lungs which results in obstruction in the passages in the
respiratory. The use of padmak treats asthma by balancing the imbalance of Vata
and Kapha doshas this helps to reduce the blockage in the respiratory passage
by removing the excess mucus in the lungs.
Modern
view: Quercetin is a chemical compound present in the onion that helps to
reduce allergy and inflammation by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory,
anti-histaminic properties
Atherosclerosis:
Onion
reduce the bad cholesterol level by its hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and
anti-inflammatory activity and it also protects the blood vessels and decreases
the damage caused by peroxidation of lipids
Cough:
Traditional
view: According to Ayurveda, Cough occurs due to the imbalance of Kapha dosha
which leads to the accumulation of mucus in the lungs. The use of onion balance
the Kapha and prevent the formation of mucus and treat cough.
Take the
required amount of raw onion and slice it into small pieces and fry the onion
in the pan with ghee. Use this remedy to control cough
Appetite stimulant:
According to Ayurveda, Anorexia is called
Aruchi and it occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the body by impaired
digestion which results in blockage of gastrointestinal channels in the body.
The use of onion helps to treat anorexia by improving digestion and also
prevent the accumulation of toxins in the body by its Anushna property.
Increase
testosterone level:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, imbalance
of Vata dosha leads to a decrease in the hormonal level in men. The use of
onion helps to balance the Vata dosha by its Vajikarana (aphrodisiac) activity
and it also helps to improve the reproductive function in males.
Modern view: Due to its antioxidant
property it fights against the free radicals which are present in the testes
and protects the cell from damage. It also stimulates testosterone production
by increasing the production of luteinizing hormone
Hair
loss:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda,
hair fall occurs due to the imbalance of Vata dosha in the body. The use of
onion helps to balance the Vata dosha and it increases the growth of hair and
reduces the excessive dryness by its Snigdha (oily) and Ropan (healing)
properties
Take the required amount of onion juice
and mix it with coconut oil or honey and add tea tree oil into it and make it
as a paste and apply this paste on your scalp for 2 minutes and wash your hair
with mild shampoo to control hair fall
The Onion comes in various formulations includes
Onion
capsule:
Take the required amount of onion capsule
as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with water
after your meals
Onion
powder:
Take the required amount of onion powder
as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with honey or
water and take it after your meals
Onion
juice:
Take the required amount of onion as
advised by the doctor and cut them finely and grind the chopped onion in a
grinder and sieve the paste using a muslin cloth and strain the juice and store
it in a closed container and take it to control indigestion
Onion
oil:
Take the required amount of onion oil and
apply it to your scalp before going to bed at night and wash it the next
morning with a mild shampoo. Use this remedy to treat dandruff and promote hair
growth
Onion
juice for hair growth
Take the required amount of onion juice
and mix it with coconut oil or honey and add tea tree oil into it and make it
as a paste and apply this paste on your scalp for 2 minutes and wash your hair
with mild shampoo to control hair fall
·
Eye irritation
·
Skin rash
Is Onion powder
available in the market?
Yes,
it is available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or
ayurvedic medical stores.
How to store Onion oil?
It
should be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the
heat and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out
to children
How to make onion powder at home?
Wash and peel the required onion and chop the onion
and bake it in a baking tray at 150C and allow it to cool and by using the
mortar make it as a paste. Store it in an air-tight container and freeze it.