Although cooking onions reduces the number of antioxidants, some studies have shown that cooking with crushed onions doesn’t destroy the sulfur-rich compounds that have an anticancer effect.
More research still has to be done to find out how much onion to consume daily to help reduce your risk of cancer. Scientists also still have to research how other nutrients affect the cancer-protective effect of onions.
Find out about other foods you can add to your diet that can help prevent cancer developing.
Onion Juice Can Improve Hair Growth
Onion juice can help you re-grow your hair and make it stronger. The onion juice improves blood circulation and provides the hair follicles with sufficient nourishment. Onion also has anti-bacterial properties, so it helps with scalp infections that might contribute to hair loss.
In 2002, the Journal of Dermatology published a small study that looked into the use of onion juice for alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease that presents with patchy hair loss).
Participants who applied onion juice twice daily for two months experienced much better hair re-growth rates compared to those who only used tap water. In the study, hair regrowth was observed in 87% of patients treated with onion juice. Men had better success with the treatment than did women.
You can find detailed information on how to make onion rinse for hair growth and frequently asked questions in my article “How To Make Onion Juice For Hair Growth & Strong Hair“.
Onion Kills Intestinal Parasites
The sulfur compounds in onions are anti-parasitic. Onion juice is very effective for intestinal worms, especially tapeworm and thread worms.
According to a study published in the journal Parasitology Research, onion extract was effective in reducing the number of parasites in animals. In the study, ground onion was added to coconut flakes and food. The result was that all signs of parasites were nearly eliminated in stool samples.
To use onion as part of a parasite cleanse, squeeze the juice from an onion so that you have about 2 teaspoons. Mix the onion juice with some raw plain yogurt and consume daily. Continue the parasite cleanse with onions for 2-3 weeks to be sure that you completely get rid of parasites and intestinal worms.
You can also consume other foods and herbs that naturally kill intestinal parasites.
How Long Are Onions Good For?
Onions should be stored in a cool, dry place where there is plenty of ventilation. You should also avoid storing fresh onions in plastic bags as they will tend to rot quicker. Instead, store them in a mesh bag or a loosely covered paper to allow for air circulation.
Whole onions when properly stored, can last for 2 to 3 months in the refrigerator.
The Journal of Food and Drug Analysis reported that, if stored properly, the antioxidant content of onions increases. Researchers found that the total phenolics, antioxidants, and flavonoids in onions were highest after 3 months of storage.
Daily Recommended Intake of Onions
Doctors on Webmd say that at this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for onion.
According to Drugs.com, clinical trials are lacking to provide dosage recommendations. However average daily doses of 50 g of fresh onion, 50 g of fresh onion juice, or 20 g of dried onion have been suggested. 50 gram of fresh onion equals to about 1/3 cup of chopped onion.
Side Effects of Eating Onions
Onions are a delicious and tasty vegetable, and chopping, crushing, or slicing the onion root or bulb will add flavor and improve the taste of any meal. Eating an onion a day certainly isn’t bad for you and also comes with many health benefits.
Doctors from WebMD report that some adverse effects of onions could be contact dermatitis if onion juice irritates the skin. Some people experience stomach pain after ingesting cooked or raw onions.
Of course, it’s not uncommon for onions to make you cry while you are chopping them.
Eating too many onions a day could also cause you to have bad breath due to sulfides in the vegetable. In fact, the smell of onions can also be emitted through your pores.
The sulfur content in onions may also cause odorous gas. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders lists onions among gas-causing foods that may cause smelly farts.
How to Use Onions in Home Remedies
Hard science has shown many benefits of onions, but there are “old wives’ tales” and anecdotes passed on through the generations that sing even more praises of these delicious root vegetable.
In spite of being pure hearsay and not being backed by scientific research, many people swear by the following folk remedies. Why not give them a try and see for yourself?
Clearing irritant from the eye
Anyone who has ever cut an onion in an enclosed room knows that it’s sure to make you cry unless you jump through hoops to prevent the acrid sulfur emanating from the cut onion from reaching your eye, such as putting on fans or submerging them in cold milk or water.
This can be an annoyance, but it can also come in handy if you have debris or other irritant caught in your eye. In this case instead of rubbing your eye and risking worsening your condition:
Cut an onion in half.
Take half the onion and hold it directly below the irritated eye—careful not to touch!
Let the tears flow and help to clear the debris from the eye.
Treating vomiting
Gobbling down an onion may be the last thing you want to do when you’re feeling nauseated. However, if you feel like you’re going to vomit or have been vomiting, onions may be able to help. Try this:
Grate and strain the liquid from one whole white onion.
Brew a mug of peppermint tea.
Measure out two teaspoons of onion juice and drink it down.
After five minutes, drink the mug of tea.
Repeat this process until vomiting stops and nausea ebbs away.
Onions for wart removal
With so many wart removal cures available over-the-counter that contain strong acids or freezing implements that can harm healthy skin around the wart and cause painful irritation, why not try for a gentler method that comes from nature—and is far less expensive than the pricey chemical alternatives.
Cut a sliver of onion flesh just the same size as the wart.
Place the onion onto the wart and secure in place with a small bandage.
Change the onion piece and bandage daily.
Within days, the wart will be gone.
Another option is to use apple cider vinegar for wart removal.
Onions for removing earwax and earache
If you have an excess buildup of earwax or suffer from earache, you may resort to extreme measures from time to time to keep it under control. If drugstore remedies haven’t worked for you, why not give an onion a chance to do what chemical concoctions have failed to do? Here is how to use an onion for removing earwax:
Carve up an onion, reserving the innermost core.
Cut the core of the onion into an ear-canal sized plug, making sure it is long enough to grip easily.
Place the onion core into your ear and leave it in place overnight.
When you awaken, remove the onion piece and cleanse the ear. Your wax will come right out!
Another option is to use this homemade garlic mullein oil for ear infection treatment.
Relieving sore throat and cough
Using onions for treating the symptoms of common cold is an old home remedy which is attributed to the chemical compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids and quercetin that research shows to have potential anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant properties.
You can use onions make this easy and effective homemade syrup to relieve sore throat and cough that contains only 3 ingredients:
4 tbsp. quality honey (Manuka honey is the best honey)
1 onion, chopped
3 cm fresh ginger, grated
Pour the honey into a bowl and add the chopped onion and grated ginger.
Leave the mixture overnight or at least for 6 hours. During this time the active ingredients in the onions and ginger will be released and absorbed in the honey.
Take a teaspoon of the natural dry cough remedy (you can remove the onion and ginger) every couple of hours to help clear the mucus and soothe your irritated throat.
Relieving wisdom teeth pain
Chewing on onion is another tested home remedy. If chewing proves to be too painful for you, place a slice of onion on the sore area. Alternatively, you can extract some onion juice and dab it on. Shallots, red and yellow onions tend to be more effective compared to white and sweet onions. There are also other home remedies to get rid of wisdom tooth pain that you can try at home.
Onion relieves mosquito bites
Onion slices are a commonly used method for reducing the swelling and itching of mosquito bites. Simply place a fresh slice of onion on the affected area for a few minutes until the itching subsides. Then rinse with water. Or you can try other natural ways to relieve mosquito bites.
Onion on feet or in sock for detox, cold and flu
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, there is anecdotal evidence about the effectiveness of putting onions on your feet to detox your body and to get rid of flu and cold.
How to use onions in sock under your feet:
Slice an onion into a few thick slices about ½ inch thick.
Place in a pair of tight-fitting socks.
Put the onion in the socks, making sure the onions are tight against the bottom of your feet.
Leave for a few hours to draw toxins from your body and to get rid of cold or flu.
