HEALTH BENEFITS OF ONIONS AND ITS ESSENTIAL OIL

Health benefits of onions are expressed in its capacity as considered: “a food for the respiratory system”, which is quite effective against asthma and bronchitis. It is also credible that over 3,500 years ago, onions and other vegetables made up portion of the diet of the slaves who built Egyptian pyramids.

 Consequently, in Moses’ fourth book called Numbers, while the Israelite were on the desert of Sinai they hungered and yearned for various foods they had eaten before departing from pharaoh and they specifically mentioned leeks, garlic and onions.

There’s no doubt those slaves missed and valued the benefits and medicinal values of onions as it made available few calories to their diet, especially when engaged in extreme physical toil.

These are other names of onions:

French – Oignon

Spanish – Cebolla

German – Winterzweibel

The onion plant bulb (‘Allium cepa’ L) belongs to the botanical family Liliaceae. It is noteworthy that the root of the plant is not the bulb; however, the main roots of the plant are formed of filaments which are at the bulb’s lower portion.

Onions can be cultivated in temperate climates and on fertile soils of the five continents. The primary producing countries are India, China, United States of America, Japan, Russia, and Spain.

 

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Let’s take a look at percentage composition of onion (nutritional values)

Water                   –                  89.7%

Fiber                     –                  1.80%

Protein                 –                  1.16%

Minerals               –                  0.370%

Fat                        –                  0.160%

Carbohydrates     –                  6.83%

The following down below represent composition of onion per 100 grams of its consumable portion

Energy                  –        38.0 kcal = 158 kj

Carbohydrates     –        6.83 g

Protein                 –        1.16 g

Vitamin A            –        NIL

Vitamin B₁           –        0.042 mg

Vitamin B₂           –        0.020 mg

Fiber                     –        1.80 g

Niacin                   –        0.431 mg NE

Vitamin B₆           –        0.116 mg

Folate                  –        19.0 µg

Vitamin B₁₂          –        NIL

Vitamin C            –        6.40 mg

Vitamin E             –        0.130 mg α-TE

Calcium                –        20.0 mg

Magnesium           –        10.0 mg

Phosphorus          –        33.0 mg

Potassium            –        157 mg

Iron                      –        0.220 mg

Zinc                      –        0.190 mg

Saturated Fat       –        0.026 g

Total Fat               –        0.160 g

Sodium                 –        3.00 g

Cholesterol           –        –

This is in accordance with percentage % daily value for a 2,000 calorie diet made available by 100 grams of Onions.

Properties and Indications of Onion

Did you know that 38 kcal per 100 grams of onion comes only from its saccharose, glucose and other carbohydrates? This particular nutrient stands out indeed, however, protein are also present but in a small amount (1.16%) and quite okay for a vegetable. Fat content is somewhat negligible.

Consuming it raw is capable of stopping or alleviating asthma conditions because it is quite anti-allergic and also has bronchodilator effects which last even up to eleven to twelve hours.

It is also beneficial on inhaling the essential oil which is quite appropriate for kids.

Of all the vitamins, vitamin B₁₂ is the one not present but likely to be in a very small amounts and this also goes in the case of minerals. According to Healthline, this vegetable is rich in vitamins C. Potassium is 157 mg per 100 grams of this food which is worthy of mentioning.

Sulfur is the most abundant in the trace elements family and it contributes to its essence. Again, mineral salts from onion are transformed or converted to alkaline carbonates reaction any time they pass to the blood.

In effects, alkalizing foods promotes the alleviation of waste products from the body.

Essential Oil

The typical odor from onion is accountable by its essential oil and it is quite volatile and tends to evaporate effortlessly. The mixture of over one hundred different substances make available the essential oil.

Flavonoids

Onions are quite rich in quercetin, an active flavonoid which with the combination of other ones help in facilitating blood circulation and prevent blood clots. They also block low density oxidation that may cause arteriosclerosis.

In essence, active substances and the flavonoids form the essential oil and this contributes to the following properties:

• Decongestant
• Anti-asthmatic
• Antibiotic
• Heart protector
• Arterial protector
• Diuretic
• Anticarcinogenic

Several other non-nutritive substances are also contained in onions. They include the following:

• Enzymes
• Glycoquine
• Vegetable fiber

Enzymes

Some enzymatic substances such as diastase and oxidase are found in onion and they proffer invigorating effects precisely on processes regarding digestion.

Glycoquine

This is regarded as “vegetable hormone” by Dr. Schneider. They act on reducing the blood sugar level and this gives a good record of the effects of onions, particularly on diabetes.

Vegetable fiber

Another action of the onions which is carried out by the fiber in it is the lipid-lowering and anti-diabetic effects. This is simply the delay in the passage of sugar right into the bloodstream.

There are so many health benefits of onions that have been recommended for several ailments. The essential oil practically works on various organs and systems, some of which are therapeutic and dietary applications and have been proven, scientifically.

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Respiratory Disorder

Remember as stated earlier, sulfur compounds which are responsible for forming the essential oil in onion go straight to the blood stream but it is noteworthy that they are first released in the esophagus. This is the reason why we get that characteristic odor just few minutes after consuming onions. Onions can break away heavy mucus easily and this testifies their expectorant and antibiotic properties.

Another awesome health benefit of onions shows that they help in improving every respiratory infections and this is most effective when it is eaten raw, baked, boiled or in syrup.

Bronchial Asthma

In asthma cases, the essential oil can stop bronchial allergic reaction. This is one of the health benefits of onions which justify their uses in various ways for bronchial asthma due to the bronchodilator and antiallergenic effects they hold.

Arteriosclerosis

More health benefits of onions are also evident in their ability to prevent arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease. They also improves blood circulation in the coronary arteries. In 1996, investigations proved that individuals who constantly consume more apples and onion have a lower risk of dying from arteriosclerosis (heart attack). Onions and apples are quite the foods that are highly rich in flavoniod quercetin.

In essence, eating onion regularly stops arteriosclerosis and also fosters the flow of blood in all arteries thereby alleviating the risk of suffering from certain complications.

Kidney Disorder

Onion consumption results to increase in urine volume. This function promotes the elimination of waste products and this is recommended for those suffering from kidney stones, infections relating to the urinary tract or renal failure.

Diabetes

Here, there are quite enormous health benefits of onions. It is highly recommended that those who are suffering from diabetes include onions to their diets as it reduces blood glucose level.

Cancer

If you dwell more on onions and garlic, you will have lower risk of developing cancer of the stomach. Onions and garlic prevent tumor cells development and also neutralize carcinogens.

Therefore, onion consumption is a way to counter cancer and also a complement to treating certain cancers such as colon cancer and cancer of the stomach.

Liver Disorders

Onions bring about stimulation of the detoxifying function of the liver. It is therefore recommended when hepatic failure cases arise.  Hepatic failure cases may arise as a result of cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.

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Preparation and Use for Maximum Health Benefits of Onion

Raw

One of the best if not the number one way of eating onions is to eat them raw and they must be fresh. Gastric ulcer patients have to consume onions baked or boiled.

Boiled in Water

Here, they are better tolerated since their piquancy is liable to disappear and most of their medicinal values are reduced. Therefore, cooking time has to be short.

Baked Onions

They are quite tasty but become less effective as a medicine when they stay longer in the oven.

Syrup

Mash them to a paste after boiling several slices, add some spoonfuls of honey

Onion Water

Soak a chopped raw onion in a glass of water. The soaking should be done for several hours. 

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