What Can You Get From Onions?

By Author: Paula Jimenez
Total Articles: 32
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Grocery shopping is one of the favourite past times of domesticated people like me. And while going about my normal routine in the grocery, I was picking out the freshest onions from the produce section when I remembered a discussion I had with my niece on the benefits of raw onion. Yum, I’m sure your eyes watered at the thought of biting into a succulent, fresh, raw onion - or maybe not. If you’re not a fan of onion, maybe I can convince you otherwise with this article (the same way my niece is now an onion advocate).

Ready to read about the wonders of onion and see how a simple little raw onion can help your health in a major way? Get your onions ready! The onion’s real name is Allium cepa and is a member of the Lilliaceae (or Lily) family. They are grown worldwide but my favorite is the Valdalia onion grown in Georgia, US.

As far back as 4000 BC, it has been said that onions have been used for medicinal purposes, specifically a cure-all for many illnesses. Vapors of onions were used to alleviate pain during World War 2. That’s right, they didn’t have a lot of the medicines we have now, so onions were ...
... used. But you also have to consider that during those years, times were so bad, onions were dirt cheap so why not use them for medicinal purposes right? But hey, before you start chopping onions to get healthier, see a doctor first.

Raw onions contain volatile oil, allicin, alliin, flavonoids, phenolic acid, and sterols. By just looking at those ingredients, why do you have to wonder about its potency?!

In 1/2 cup of chopped fresh onion there is:

Calories 16

Carbohydrates 4 g

Vitamin A 498 IU

Fat 0 g

Protein 1 g

Vitamin C 10 mg

Saturated Fat 0 g

Dietary Fiber 1 g

Iron 1 mg

Cholesterol 0 mg

Sodium 8 mg

Cartenoids 867 mic g

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that onions can be used for the treatment of poor appetite and to prevent atherosclerosis. Also, the WHO recognizes the use of onion extracts for relieving coughs, colds, asthma and bronchitis.

Here are other uses of onions:

1. Helps in respiratory problems such as colds, flu, cough, bronchitis, hoarseness, and mild fever.

2. Onion poultice helps skin problems by draining pus in suppurating wounds

3. Drinking onion juice can help relieve cystitis

4. Flatulence? Eat some raw onion.

5. Prevents oral infections and tooth decay

6. Functions as a warm juice in the ear canal for earaches

7. Helps increase the HDL cholesterol in the blood stream, and decrease bad cholesterol. It also helps increase the ability of blood to dissolve clots.

So you see? There are so many benefits to eating raw onions other than just mixing it with your favorite meal to enhance flavor. But remember, always consult your doctor first before doing anything as it may compromise your health. Have fun with your raw onion and don’t forget to brush your teeth!

New Hope Medical Center is an Alternative Cancer Treatment center where each person is given Alternative Treatments for Cancer based on their body makeup. One size doesn't fit all in this Cancer Treatment Center.