What medicinal properties does onion have? Beneficial properties, harm and contraindications for eating onions

The homeland of onions is considered to be South-West Asia, Afghanistan and Iran. The plant belongs to the onion family. It came to Europe thanks to the Romans, and later became widely used in many countries.

Exists more than 400 types of onions, and only a couple of dozen of them can be considered edible.

Even in primitive times, wild tribes actively used the onion plant for various purposes: they not only ate it along with other vegetables and herbs, but also found onions to be used in the field of medicine.

Composition of vitamins and calories

Calorie content per 100 grams fresh onions are 41 kcal (bulbs), leaves - 22 kcal. At the same time, the calorie content of 1 pc. (medium size) – 31 – 46 kcal.

Nutritional value of the vegetable: proteins - 1.4 g, fats - 0.2 g. The main part of the carbohydrates contained in onions (8.2 mg) is organic sugar, which in turn consists of 4-14% fructose, maltose and sucrose. When choosing onions, you must also take into account the fact that the percentage of sugar in the composition is higher in spicy varieties of onions (about 9%), rather than in sweet ones (7%).

Interesting to know:
— spicy varieties include onions with golden skin.

— red and purple (blue) varieties of onions are considered semi-sharp.

Onions also contain: organic acids, dietary fiber, starch, mono- and disaccharides, ash, essential oils (they give it a special smell and taste).

To get rid of a strong odor After eating onions, you can eat them with nuts, better roasted (walnuts, almonds, pine nuts). You can also use fragrant and aromatic herbs: parsley, dill, cilantro.

Please note that any type of onion consists of 86% water.

Vitamin composition: B1 (0.05 mg), B2 (0.02 mg), B5 (0.1 mg), B6 (0.1 mg), B9 (0.009 mg), C (10 mg), E (0.2 mg ), H (0.0009 mg), PP (0.2 mg).

Chemical composition of onions: potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, calcium, chlorine, magnesium, sodium, zinc, iron, manganese, rubidium, aluminum, boron, copper, fluorine, cobalt (50% DV), iodine, nickel and chromium.

Freshly squeezed juice from young green shoots contains: folic acid, carotene, biotin.

Onions contain a certain volatile substance called prostantyl. It is this that causes the tear effect when cutting a vegetable. First, it is released into the air, and then, dissolving in the mucous membrane of the eyeballs, irritates the lacrimal glands.

Prostantil is a special type of natural oil that contains a high concentration of sulfur. It is she who actually irritates the membranes of the eyes so much that we even experience tears, our eyes turn red and we experience burning symptoms.

You can avoid the effect of “onion tears” if you freeze the onion before cutting, or you can cut it by first dipping the knife and the onion itself in cold water. Leeks are softer and more gentle on the eye membrane.

Onions contain hormone-like substances called aphrodisiacs.

Imagine that even 150 g of onions per day (approximately 1 large onion) can significantly strengthen the immune system and increase the level of the body's protective functions. After all, onions, as it turned out, saturate the body with half the daily requirement of vitamins A and C, and enrich it with 1/5 calcium and potassium!

Beneficial and healing properties for the body

As it turns out, not only onions, but even their peels are useful in everyday life. Most often it is used as a natural dye, for example, for Easter dyes. In fact, you can collect and store the husks not only immediately before use, but also for a whole year! You just don’t need to wash it, the same applies to the storage location: it should be a clean and dry container that can be tightly closed. Everything is done to ensure that the husk does not rot, otherwise it will lose its beneficial properties.

For medicinal purposes, the husk is used in the form of a decoction.. It is used for the prevention and treatment of colds and viral diseases such as various types of influenza, sore throat, pharyngitis and laryngitis. The decoction can be used to gargle as a preventive measure during the cold winter or autumn season. A decoction of onion peels is also indispensable for the healthy condition of the gums and oral cavity. Since it has not only a restorative, but also a bactericidal property. Only such a decoction should be less concentrated, because then it will stain the teeth yellow, giving them a more painful and unkempt appearance.

Has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
The essential oil and phytoncides contained in onions have a bactericidal effect and disinfect. They have a detrimental effect on influenza bacteria, rhinoviruses, staphylococci, streptococci, and helminths. Helps in the treatment of cuts and purulent wounds.
Stimulates appetite.
Has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Useful for hypotensive patients.
Used to treat diabetes. Reduces blood sugar.
Contained in onionflavonoids, they prevent the formation of cancer cells.
Increases immunity. Used to prevent colds. In this case, you can drink juice from green onions or make inhalations from the pulp.
Helps prevent caries.
Reduces the content of harmful cholesterol in the body. Prevents the formation of blood clots.
Treats varicose veins.
Onion juice has a weak diuretic effect.
Used in the treatment of liver diseases.
Stimulates the process of hematopoiesis (selenium and chlorophyll).
It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and promotes sound sleep. Good prevention of heart attack.
The vegetable is very useful for men. Its use helps prevent prostate diseases and helps with prostatitis.

Onions are an important component of the diet for children. It is an excellent natural antibiotic. Please note that it is advisable to give this vegetable when the child is 2-3 years old.

Although raw onions contain more useful substances, during heat treatment, its chemical composition practically does not change. Boiled, fried, stewed onions have no less healing properties.

It is important to remember that after cutting the onion should be consumed within 15 minutes, otherwise its beneficial properties will gradually begin to decrease (especially the bactericidal properties of onions).

Green onions have a lot of vitamins, macro- and microelements than onion.

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Useful properties of onions for pregnant women:

Strengthens the immune system.
Of particular benefit for the healthy development of the fetus is folic acid (of great importance in early pregnancy), which is most concentrated in green onions, especially in their white part. Feathers no more than 10 cm in length are considered the most effective.
Replenishes iron deficiency (0.8 mg) in the body.
Manganese (0.23 mg), which is part of onion, has a positive effect on the nervous system and also strengthens the musculoskeletal system.
Eliminates age spots, which is of great importance for women during pregnancy.

While breastfeeding It is recommended that a young mother temporarily stop eating onions until the child is 3 months old, in order to avoid increased gas formation in the child’s body.

Harm and contraindications

Although onions are very healthy and nutritious, there are still several contraindications, which are described below.

Main contraindications for eating onions:

hypertension;
acute forms of gastrointestinal diseases;
people with asthma should not overuse spicy onions - this can cause an attack;
tendency to flatulence;
individual intolerance.

Application in medicine

The medicinal properties of onions are very diverse. This the vegetable has been considered for centuries almost a panacea for all diseases.

There is an Eastern proverb: “The onion is in your arms: every disease passes away.”

Various extracts and extracts from onions are still used in medicine to treat diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. It is used as a prophylactic against scurvy. Onions treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract, flu, sore throat, pneumonia.

Onion gruel heals wounds, burns, frostbite.

Onion the husk is used for colds, various viral diseases, bleeding gums. The B vitamins it contains improve hair growth and structure and treat dermatitis. Quercetin prevents capillary fragility. Phytoncides, also contained in onions, treat infectious diseases such as dysentery, tuberculosis, and diphtheria.

For medicinal purposes Chinese (Indian) onions have been used since ancient times. Interestingly, this variety reaches its maximum medicinal properties only two years after ripening and subsequent collection. Chinese onions have a quickly noticeable and very effective healing effect. In official medicine, its properties have not yet been fully studied.

People have long known the medicinal benefits of onions. People say about onions: “Onions and a bath will fix everything,” “Onions cure seven ailments,” “Whoever eats onions is freed from eternal torment,” etc.

Since the time of Hippocrates, onions have been widely used in medicine, and over time, their healing capabilities are revealed more and more. As a medicine, onions are respected by all peoples of the world.

Especially a lot of onions were consumed in the old days, long before the discovery of microorganisms during the years of terrible epidemics of antiquity - plague, cholera, typhoid. For preventive purposes, onions were always hung in bundles in living quarters.

And although onions are not as rich in vitamins as for some reason it is still commonly thought of, they are one of the main suppliers of vitamins to the human body, since we consume them daily, especially in the spring and summer. The daily need for vitamin C is covered by 80-100 g of green onions. The vitamin content in onions is up to 4 mg/% for carotene, 0.2 mg/% for vitamin E, 10 mg/% for C; and in green onions - carotene - 2 mg/%, vitamin E - 12 mg/%, C - 30 mg/%, etc.

The healing properties of onions, their high effectiveness in the treatment of diseases that are not similar in nature, are explained by the presence of phytoncides in large quantities.

Onion phytoncides have strong antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal and preservative effects. Their activity persists during long-term storage of onions and when exposed to temperature. Onion phytoncides delay and suppress the growth of pathogenic microbes in the treatment of influenza, sore throat, and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.

They also prevent the development of putrefactive processes in the intestines, prevent oral diseases, improve the growth and development of body tissues, and promote their restoration. They have a detrimental effect even on dysentery, diphtheria and tuberculosis bacilli. Phytoncides are found in all parts of the plant, but there are especially many of them in the area of the bottom of the bulb.

Remember! Onion phytoncides act effectively and quickly kill microorganisms, mainly only in the first 15-20 minutes after preparing onion pulp. Then its effectiveness sharply decreases, since the bactericidal substances almost completely evaporate.

Onion tincture with wine has a wide range of effects. To prepare it, you need 150 g of finely grated onion and 100 g of honey, pour 1 liter of red grape wine, leave for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally, strain. This tincture helps improve immunity, protects against infections, and is a good diuretic. Plus it is very tasty. Apply it daily for 2-3 tbsp. l. in the morning and in the evening.

What distinguishes onions from other vegetables is the high concentration of essential oils in them. It is they who make inexperienced housewives cry bitterly when chopping onions for salad.

To avoid this, you need to peel and chop the onion after cooling it slightly in the refrigerator or under running cold water. And, conversely, in a hot room, the evaporation of essential oils increases sharply, and tears will flow like a river.

To eliminate bad breath after eating onions, chew 2-3 coffee beans, or a few parsley leaves, or eat an apple or burnt bread crust.

Onions stimulate the appetite and improve digestion, reduce cholesterol in the blood and promote normal heart function. An alcohol tincture is prepared from it by mixing onion juice and alcohol in a ratio of 1:10. This tincture is used for intestinal weakness and inflammation of the colon, taking 15-20 drops 3 times a day before meals.

For atherosclerosis, take the same tincture 20-30 drops 3-4 times a day for 3-4 weeks. For the same purposes, use a mixture of equal parts of onion juice and fresh honey, 1 tbsp each. l. 3-4 times a day.

The use of onions in the treatment of colds is widely used. Treatment with onion phytoncides is carried out in two ways - by inhaling the vapors of a finely grated onion (inhalation) and ingesting aqueous and alcoholic infusions of onions.

To carry out inhalation, fresh onion pulp is wrapped in a piece of gauze and tampons are placed in both nostrils for 15 minutes, trying to breathe only through the nose. Such procedures should be done 3 times a day until complete recovery.

When preparing onion gruel, you need to remember what was mentioned above - the maximum amount of phytoncides is contained in the bottom of the onion and the part adjacent to it, and that 15-20 minutes after preparing the gruel, very little phytoncides will remain in it.

For inflammation of the larynx and bronchitis, use onion juice for inhalation, preferably spicy varieties, diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1:5. One inhalation requires 1-1.5 tbsp. l. liquids. The course of treatment is 5-10 procedures.

For sinusitis and acute runny nose, onion juice is instilled into the nose, diluted with boiled water for adults in a ratio of 1:10, and for children - 1:50 in the form of drops 2-3 times a day.

A good remedy for bronchitis with dry cough, sore throat, and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract is to take 1 tsp of fresh onion juice orally. 4 times a day or its mixture with honey in equal parts, 1 tbsp. l. 5-6 times a day, which improves sputum production. An alcohol tincture of onion (1:10) is also effective, which is used 15-20 drops per dose 3-4 times a day.

An ancient folk remedy, which we have already forgotten, also treats bronchitis with a dry cough well. To prepare it, 250 g of onion minced through a meat grinder are mixed with 1 tbsp. l. honey and 1 glass of sugar, pour everything into 0.5 liters of vodka, boil under the lid over low heat for 3 hours, then cool. The medicine is taken in 2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.

For a strong and persistent cough, onion juice is mixed with goose fat, the mixture is rubbed into the chest and neck area overnight and tied with a scarf. And in the morning on an empty stomach, take 1 tbsp of this mixture. l.

A decoction of onion peels is also used for coughs. To do this, boil the peels of 10 onions in 1 liter of water until half the liquid boils away, then strain. Take a decoction of 0.75 cups 3 times a day with honey.

An old Russian medicinal mixture is also good for coughs. To prepare it, you need to grate one apple, one onion and add 1 tbsp. l. honey. Take 1 tbsp. l. 4-5 times a day in between meals and at night. For the same purposes and to improve expectoration of sputum, take onions with honey, previously fried in butter or boiled in milk.

Another ancient onion decoction helps well with bronchial asthma. To prepare it, mix 200 g of chopped onions with 200 g of butter, 1 cup of sugar, 0.3 cups of honey, 0.3 cups of aloe juice. Mix everything thoroughly and simmer in a tightly closed oven for 3 hours. After complete cooling, mix well. Take 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day 15 minutes before meals.

A collection consisting of equal parts of onion, radish, beet, cranberry, lemon, aloe, honey, sugar, and alcohol juices is also effective in these cases. Apply the mixture 2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

For laryngitis and pharyngitis, it is useful to use a mixture of grated onion, apple and honey, taken in equal parts. This mass is taken in 2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.

To treat a sore throat, cut 1-2 medium onions into several pieces and boil in 1-1.5 glasses of water. Allow the broth to steep further under the lid until cooled. Gargle with warm broth 5-6 times a day.

A mixture of onion juice and honey in equal parts, taken 1 tsp each, also helps well. every 2 hours until the condition improves.

Onion syrup helps a lot with a runny nose. To prepare it, you need to cut the onion into circles, sprinkle with sugar, and leave for a day in a tightly sealed container. Take 1-2 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day.

When treating a runny nose, a mixture consisting of 2 teaspoons of onions, 3 teaspoons of beet leaves, 1 teaspoon of strawberry leaves and 1 teaspoon of raspberry leaves helps. To prepare the infusion you need 2 tbsp. l. Pour the crushed mixture into a glass of boiling water, leave in a warm place for 1 hour, strain. Take 0.3 cups 4-5 times a day.

In folk medicine, onions are also used to treat adenoids. For this, 1 tsp. onion juice should be mixed with 3 tsp. sea buckthorn oil, add 1.5 tsp. melted cocoa butter, 1 tsp. honey and 0.5 tsp. propolis. Mix all this until it becomes an emulsion, dip pieces of cotton wool into it and put them in the nostrils for 20 minutes.

For chronic inflammation of the tonsils in children, a mixture of onion juice, coltsfoot leaf juice and red wine is used. Take this mixture 3 times a day, 1 tsp, after diluting 3 tbsp. l. water. The mixture should be stored in the refrigerator and shaken before use.

For occipital neuralgia, grate a medium onion, potato and pickled cucumber on a fine grater, pour in 1 liter of table vinegar diluted in equal parts with water, and leave for 24 hours. Apply compresses in the morning and evening before bed.

For the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, onion syrup is useful, which should be taken 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day, an hour after meals or an hour before it.

A universal medicine from onions is its decoction in milk. To prepare it, you need to chop 1-2 medium-sized onions, boil in a glass of milk, leave for 1 hour, strain. Take 1 tbsp decoction. l. every 2-3 hours before meals when coughing, to improve digestion, diuretic effect, in the treatment of liver diseases, colitis, atherosclerosis, hypertension.

In folk medicine, an infusion of onion, garlic and lemon is used to treat hypertension. To prepare it, you need to chop 1 onion, 4-5 cloves of garlic and 1 lemon without peel and seeds, mix with 1 glass of sugar and 2 glasses of cold boiled water. Leave the mixture in a dark, cool room for 10 days, shaking the container periodically, and strain. Take 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals until recovery.

In people who do not eat onions, blood clotting increases. The antithrombotic effect of onions is so great that it surpasses the capabilities of aspirin.

Onions are also used for diabetes. To do this, pour 2-3 chopped onions with 2 glasses of warm water, leave for 8 hours, strain. Take the infusion 0.5 cups 3 times a day before meals.

For liver diseases, 0.5 kg of onion minced through a meat grinder should be mixed with 1 glass of sugar and simmered in the oven until the mixture turns yellow. Take it 1 tbsp. l. on an empty stomach for 8-10 weeks.

Wine tincture made from onion and wormwood helps well with hepatitis. To prepare it, rub 300 g of onion through a sieve, add 2 tbsp. l. wormwood powder, 100 g honey. Then pour this mixture into 0.7 liters of dry white wine and leave in a dark place for 3 weeks. Take 0.25 cups 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

For constipation, fill the bottle two-thirds full with chopped onions, add vodka and leave in a dark place for 10 days. Take 1 tsp. 3 times a day before meals.

For prostatitis and dropsy, folk medicine uses a medicinal infusion prepared from 200 g of chopped onion and 0.5 liters of dry white wine. The mixture must be left for 12 days, strained and taken 2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day after meals. Treatment consists of several 3-week courses with a 10-day break between them.

For joint sprains, finely chopped onions should be mixed with sugar, and the mixture should be ground well in a mortar. Place gauze on the joint and spread a layer of the prepared mixture on top.

Onion pulp, wrapped in gauze, is applied to burns, purulent wounds, abscesses on the skin, and sore spots with rheumatism, because it prevents the formation of blisters, relieves pain and stops the inflammatory process.

Onions also help with insect bites. To do this, apply a cotton wool moistened with onion juice to the affected area for 10-15 minutes or lubricate the bite site with it, repeating this 3-4 times in a row as it dries. If there is no juice, you can do it even simpler - rub a piece of onion well on the painful area. For severe headaches, apply an onion cut in half to the temples and forehead.

But there are a number of diseases for which onions are contraindicated. These are peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, acute diseases of the kidneys, liver, intestines, and gall bladder. Therefore, for medicinal purposes, onions should be used under the supervision of a doctor.

V. Loiko

(Gardener No. 5, 2012)

Onions are a friend to health

What other vegetable is so popular in the garden? Of course, onions. There is no point in arguing about taste preferences- Some people like radish, some like spinach, but everyone loves onions. In Rus', onions appeared quite late (it is not precisely established), but quickly became a folk food. He helped out in difficult years during crop failures, wars, natural disasters, onions were eaten daily with rye bread and kvass in the form of turi, onions saved peasants from scurvy, plague, cholera and other diseases.

People have long had an attitude towards onions, which is conveyed to us in proverbs: “Whoever eats onions, God will save him from eternal torment”, “Onions cure seven ailments”, “Onions are a friend to health”, “Onions and baths rule everything”...

There were legends

Nutritional benefits, medicinal properties and ease of cultivation have made onions a constant companion of man, and trade and wars have contributed to the spread of this vegetable throughout the world. Thousands of generations have experienced his healing power; they recognized his ardent nature, believing that in his arms every disease ceases.

But let's start with the fact that in terms of nutritional value, onions are in third place among vegetables - after beets and parsley root. It contains up to 20 percent dry matter, mainly sugars; The closer to the heart of the onion, the more there are. About two dozen mineral substances were found in it.

And among them, the main place belongs to potassium compounds. Onions are very rich in iron, manganese and especially zinc. In terms of its content, onions have no equal among vegetable crops. And this is a very valuable property, since zinc is actively involved in the activity of hormones, enzymes, and affects basic life processes: growth and development, hematopoiesis, carbohydrate, protein, fat and energy metabolism.

Modern research confirms the opinion that onions can even rejuvenate the body. Vitamins A, B and C in onions- also in hefty doses. Enough is said about onion phytoncides, especially during the next wave of influenza. Their ability to destroy pathogens has long been recognized by medicine. Note that most of the phytoncides accumulate in the bottom. And juice or pulp from red or purple onions has a detrimental effect even on fungi. In general, dark bulbs are usually more active than light ones. They're just not very good for cooking.- when heated they turn dirty gray.

Onion leaves- feather- are sources of carotene (provitamin A).

The tear-producing properties of onions are determined by the presence of a volatile sulfur-containing substance - prostantial. Once on the moist surface of the sclera, the prostantial dissolves, resulting in the release of sulfuric acid, which causes irritation of the lacrimal glands. And... tears flow.

The onion representatives of the plant world vary greatly in the degree of “anger”. White and red onion varieties, originating from Turkey and Morocco, are considered sweet. Regarding honey, they are, of course, so-so. But against our northern brother - our unpretentious onion with a golden “dome” - red and white onion varieties have a rather mild smell and gentle disposition.

The ancient Egyptians knew about the healing properties of onions. They fed it to the slaves during the construction of the pyramids, but the nobles themselves seasoned their dishes with onions. Ancient Greece valued onions as a divine gift, considering them the food of gods and... slaves - because of their specific smell. If the rich ate it sometimes, the poor always ate it.

And in the Middle Ages, wonderful properties were also attributed to the onion. They said that it protected warriors from arrows and blows from halberds and swords. Knights, clad in steel armor, wore a talisman on their chests- an ordinary onion. Therefore, one type of onion was called: “victorious onion” (in Latin - “allium victoralis”). The Greek name for the bow, kromion, comes from the word meaning “shell.”

The healing embrace of the bulbs

Onions were used in ancient times and are widely used in modern folk medicine in raw, boiled, baked form. Its fresh leaves, gruels, decoctions, and infusions are healing.

In Russian medicine, onions have long been considered one of the most reliable remedies. Nowadays, traditional medicine treats inflamed tumors, boils and other abscesses with baked onions. For these purposes, compresses and lotions made from onions boiled in milk are also used. The remedy is simple, but it actively softens tumors and accelerates the maturation of abscesses. Use fresh onion juice to remove warts.

In the light of the modern teaching on phytoncides, the following instructions in ancient Russian herbal medicine deserve attention: “It is believed that during a pestilence or other sticky diseases, it is necessary to hang bundles of bulbs in the rooms, which prevents infection from penetrating into them, and the air in the rooms will be purified.” .

Onion gruel, applied in a gauze napkin to the wound, cleanses it of pus, reduces pain and swelling and promotes rapid healing and scarring. The paste is used for both frostbite and fresh burns. Applied to the burned area, it prevents the formation of blisters, reduces skin irritation, and stops pain and inflammation. Onions fried in butter or boiled in milk soften coughs and promote expectoration of mucus.

Onion juice is also beneficial. Indicated for intestinal atony, headaches, furunculosis, strengthens gums and preserves teeth, increases gastric secretion, appetite, and reduces blood sugar concentration. Wounds smeared with onion juice heal faster, rubbing relieves the pain of bruises and softens hardness.

You can remove the callus with an onion compress by first boiling the onion in table vinegar. Traditional medicine values onions as a stimulant that promotes well-being. It strengthens hearing and vision, and is useful for all kinds of rashes. To prevent the flu, put cotton swabs soaked in onion juice into the nose (you should first lubricate the inside of the nostrils with ointment) or inhale steam from heated onion pulp.

For sore throat and inflammation of the oral mucosa, it is useful to rinse your mouth with fresh juice. Onion juice with honey (1:2) is used to treat and prevent atherosclerosis, drink for coughs, whooping cough, and bronchitis. But we must take into account that onion juice is contraindicated for diseases of the liver, kidneys, acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, its use is limited for cardiovascular diseases.

Onions are also indispensable in cosmetics. It is believed that fresh onions and onion pulp promote hair regrowth, for which it is recommended to rub the juice and pulp into the scalp daily.

A mixed hair mask: cognac, onion juice and burdock root decoction in a ratio of 1:4:6 is considered a good remedy. In general, onion preparations, created on the basis of folk experience, have firmly entered the arsenal of our domestic medicine.

Girls weave onions into their braids

Well, there are countless onion dishes in the world. It has long been a folk food. It was not for nothing that they said in Rus' that the hero did not want French soup with wine or broth with spices, but would simply take a wooden bowl, a spoon, crumble bread, onions, radishes, pour kvass over it and “chop” this prison. Although such an original Russian dish as tyurya is also remembered by those who survived the war in the last century.

In general, not a single kitchen in the world can do without onions. Onion soup for the French, okroshka with onions- for Russians, onions with meat for the Mongols, mackerel with onions for residents of the Baltic countries, cheese with onions for the Scandinavians practically mean the same thing - satiety for every day and good health for years.

But the Italians are considered the most devoted admirers of onions. Their cuisine has the largest number of dishes prepared using onions - more than one and a half thousand. But in fertile Italy, so many vegetables and fruits grow that such a clear preference for a modest vegetable seems strange. There's actually nothing strange here- Italians are simply demonstrating their good taste and common sense.

The last onion subtlety concerns the time of harvesting the vegetable. In the 10th century AD there lived an Orthodox preacher named Luke. A special day on the calendar is dedicated to him - September 20th. On this date, onions are harvested from gardens. It is believed that this is not a man’s business: “Girls weave onions into their braids.”

Freshly harvested onions were hung in rooms to dry so that the air was properly disinfected. They began to eat the new crop only after the general cleaning of the garden was completed. The belief said that if even one onion is baked and eaten before the onions are collected in the barn, then the entire harvest will be “baked,” that is, it will dry out. On the day of harvesting, they wondered about winter: if the husks on the bulbs were thin- it promised a warm winter. If the bow had a thick and dense “fur coat,” the harsh winter months loomed ahead.

Onions that are soaked during harvesting quickly rot. As a rule, the weather on Luke's day is warm, dry. People believe that by sending warmth and dryness, the patron saint ensures the safety of the onion during the winter months.

But no matter what kind of onion grows in your area, please note that the medical norm is 7 kilograms per year for every adult soul. A little overdoing won't cause any harm either.

And more stories, finally

Once upon a time in old Russia, nowhere was there such a passion for onions as in the village of Kichanzino near Arzamas. They took it up out of necessity. There was too little land. If you sow bread- not to live. Onions gave a lot of income. The peasants looked after it like no other vegetable. But the product grew in clumps, weighing half a kilo per onion.

Soon followers of the Arzamas people appeared. The village of Bessonovka, twelve miles from Penza, became the onion capital. Their onion expanses there were located on the meadow side of the Sura River. The village of Bessonovka produced a million pounds of onions every year!

Of course, it was not easy to grow such a lot. The peasants used every free hour of the day, and even grabbed the night. History has preserved an interesting fact. Previously, the main postal route from Moscow to Siberia passed through Bessonovka. Visitors, whenever they arrive in the village - at night or during the day, at dawn or at sunset,- caught the peasants in their onion beds. “When do they sleep?- the business travelers were surprised.- Some sleepless ones!..”

Gradually, the name Bessonovka stuck to the village. And the onion variety became Bessonovsky. And near Kolomna, in the village of Myachkovo, gardeners developed the Myachkovsky onion variety. "Turnip"- the size of a saucer. Myachkovsky's bow turned out to be so good that they supplied it not only to Moscow, but also to Paris. For a hundred years, Parisians ate onions from the Moscow region. However, other Russian bows were also exported- to England, Germany and the Scandinavian countries. Until they finally mastered their onion industry.

Albina Sadova

Medicinal properties of onions

Despite enormous successes in the field of synthesis of biologically active drugs that represent valuable medicines, we have not been able to surpass nature, whose imagination is inexhaustible.

Scientists are discovering new plants that synthesize substances with amazing, sometimes unique beneficial properties, and nature presents us with new surprises. Such an amazing plant is the onion, which we treat very prosaically.

We eat this amazing plant without thinking about what attracts us to these juicy, spicy bulbs with a unique taste and smell. By the end of winter, we are already yearning for the fragrant green feathers of onions, and, in a hurry for Nature, we begin to sprout bulbs on the windowsills. Meanwhile, this amazing plant is presented in a huge variety in the department of the Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biology of the Komi Scientific Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the collection of which already includes about 130 species, varieties and varieties. The introduction of representatives of the genus Allium into the Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biology began in the late 70s - early 80s of the last century. The purpose of these studies was to attract as wide a variety of representatives of this genus as possible from different countries and continents, to identify among them the most resistant to the extreme conditions of the Far North, those with economically useful properties - food, medicinal, fodder, as well as interesting decorative qualities. They were obtained from the Main Botanical Garden (Moscow), the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Growing and the Botanical Institute (St. Petersburg), the botanical gardens of Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg, Yoshkar-Ola, Samara, Odessa, Minsk, Kiev, Kharkov, Chisinau, Khorog, Salaspils, Leipzig , Marseille, Strasbourg and other cities in Russia and abroad.

Plants of the genus Allium of the onion family have long attracted the attention of a wide range of researchers due to their high content of biologically active substances (BAS) with a wide spectrum of action. Since ancient times, various types of onions have been used as food and medicinal plants. In official medicine, there is a set of drugs created on the basis of extracts from onions and garlic that affect the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system or have bactericidal properties. All types of onions contain certain biologically active substances of different nature. The chemical composition of the most common edible onions includes various carbohydrates and nitrogenous substances. At the same time, in terms of the qualitative composition of chemical substances, different types of onions are quite similar to each other, but in terms of quantitative content they differ significantly. The carbohydrate content of different species varies slightly, with the exception of garlic and leeks, which contain significantly more of them. Representatives of this genus are characterized by the presence of polysaccharides such as inulin. One of the valuable properties of onions is their high content of ascorbic acid. For example, the leaves of chives during the flowering period contain 524 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g of dry matter, and wild onions and bear onions are among the recognized medicinal plants, the green mass of which serves as a natural source of ascorbic acid in spring. Along with garlic, these onions have an anti-sclerosclerotic effect and strong antibiotic properties.

All types of onions have a unique odor, which is due to the presence of essential oil, the content of which depends on the type: hot varieties of onions, garlic and multi-tiered onions have a higher content of essential oils than sweet varieties of onions, perennial types and leeks. The quantitative content of essential oil in each species depends on the growing conditions. Essential oils of garlic and some types of onions significantly reduce cholesterol in the blood. Onion essential oil is recommended for the treatment of weeping eczema.

The dry scales of colored onions contain pyrocatechol acid, and the colored epidermis of the bulb contains flavonoid substances. A drug was obtained from onion peels, including quercetin and spireoside, which reduces blood cholesterol levels in experimental hypercholesterolemia. In addition, a complex of flavonoids and pure quercetin, which have diuretic properties and promote the excretion of sodium and chlorides, as well as cerotinic acid with bactericidal properties, suitable for the treatment of diseases of the intestinal tract and atherosclerosis, have been isolated from onion peels. Relatively recently, it was discovered that steroidal glycosides (SGs) isolated from onions have hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects, exhibit fungicidal and antimicrobial properties, promote plant resistance to phytopathogenic microorganisms, and have allelopathic properties, playing a certain role in the relationships between plants. SGs are known to have a strong effect on insects that feed on plants...

O. Krylova

There is no plant on our planet that was not created to improve the living conditions of people and animals. But not every one of them ends up on housewives’ tables. The reason may be either geographical location or a simple lack of funds. However, there are a number of products that decorate the table of both rich and more modest people. They can be easily grown on your own windowsill, and in the summer they are ready to fill the plot of land and produce an excellent harvest without special care. This is exactly what onions are - a plant without which it is impossible to imagine any kitchen or cellar of homeowners. Without this vegetable you can’t prepare the first dish; you definitely try to complement its taste with side dishes, gravies and salads. Let's study what are the benefits and harms of onions for people, whether pregnant women can eat the vegetable and in what quantities. At what age are children allowed to try onions and what is the value of the plant for men’s health.

A little history of the bow

Since childhood, we have screwed up our nose at it, but as we grow up, we understand that this product is very important for our health. It’s not for nothing that Mother Nature gave it to us, since a lot of health problems can not only be eliminated, but also not occur if you regularly use onions. Let's study the history of a useful plant.

The first mention of the bow in ancient artifacts dates back to the fourth millennium BC. Historians and archaeologists are confident that the birthplace of the product is the countries located in Central Asia. Today, many varieties of the crop are known and they grow all over the planet. Scientists still cannot come to a consensus on who first began to cultivate this vegetable. Some believe that the cultivation of onion plots began in Afghanistan. And judging by the sources, from there he came to Egypt, then to Greece, then to Ancient Rome. And, of course, culture began to spread throughout the European continent through trade routes. Many people mistakenly believe that onions have always grown on Russian lands. However, we hasten to disappoint. Onions came to the tables of the ancient Russians only in the 12th century, but what’s good is that our farmers began cultivating them immediately.

There is also evidence that the vegetable was first cultivated in the Tien Shan mountains. In the mountainous regions of China, a wild type of onion still grows - beautiful, with bright flower buds, from which small fruits are obtained. There is even such a hill, which is called “Onion”, and in Chinese it sounds Dzunglin. From the Celestial Empire, culture came to India, from there to Egypt, Greece and the European continent.

Interesting fact: the ancient Germans and Romans took several long bunches of onions with them on military campaigns to gain vigor, energy; the vegetable gave courage, boldness, and helped fight dangerous colds and infectious diseases.

Be that as it may, whoever was the first to cultivate our beloved onions, we are grateful to everyone. After all, they gave us an irreplaceable product, both in the culinary and medicinal sense.

What types of onions are there and what is included in them?

As we have already said, there are a number of varieties of onions, and each of them brings invaluable benefits to our health. These are onions, leeks, and green chives. Let's consider the chemical composition of each of them separately.

This is perhaps the most common type of vegetable. In any case, in Russia and the former CIS countries, in Europe, it is difficult to imagine a delicious soup, salad or gravy without it.

The type we studied contains 86 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. The vegetable also contains dietary fiber, proteins, ash and only 0.2 grams of fat.
Onions are rich in amino acids; they contain 12 essential substances, the most tryptophan and the least histidine. As for replaceable ones, there are only 8 types.
The vegetable contains a number of vitamins valuable for the body: the entire group B, a huge amount of tocopherol (C), ascorbic acid (C), niacin (PP), K.
As for micro and macroelements, these include: copper, calcium, selenium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, fluorine, sodium, potassium and iron.

Useful and medicinal properties of onion varieties

So, now let’s look at the effects that the body acquires when consuming different varieties of onions.

Properties of onions

Used both raw and prepared for the prevention of colds and infectious diseases.

The vegetable contains a huge amount of vitamin C, antioxidants, amino acids that destroy pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and putrefactive accumulations.
Ascorbic acid strengthens defense mechanisms and increases the level of immunity.
Onion juice has a beneficial effect on the liver and genitourinary system. The liquid has diuretic, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
Onion components thin the blood, reduce the level of bad cholesterol, eliminate plaques and prevent the development of atherosclerosis, strokes, and heart attacks.
Onions, cooked, raw, and in the form of gruel and juice, are indicated for respiratory diseases; they cope well with tuberculosis, bronchitis, tracheitis, and pneumonia.
Onion juice is an excellent and guaranteed way to get rid of worms of any kind. To do this, you need to drink half a glass of the squeeze on an empty stomach.
According to recent studies, it has become known that regular inclusion of onions and its derivatives in the diet is the prevention of cancer. Moreover, the vegetable slows down the development and growth of existing oncological pathologies.
Not only the plant itself, but also its smell perfectly fights viruses and pathogenic bacteria. It is enough to cut the onion into separate slices and place it in the room for 15 minutes and not a single microorganism will remain in the room.

Beneficial properties of green onions

The bright green feathers and tails of our favorite vegetable instill joy in us by their very appearance and make the dish bright and festive. And we also understand that including green crops in salads, as a complement to fish and meat, is an excellent method to combat illnesses and bad mood.

Green tails contain a colossal number of phytoncides. These substances are able to curb any type of virus, they inhibit the growth of putrefactive microorganisms in the body and cleanse the intestines and the body as a whole of all microbes and viruses.
Green feathers contain chlorophyll, an element that actively participates in hematopoiesis. For this reason, the product is highly recommended for anemia and blood diseases.
Zinc increases defenses and strengthens the immune system.
If there is a lack of zinc in the body, problems such as deterioration of skin condition, acne, boils, etc. arise.
The composition of the elements in green feathers strengthens the muscle structure, including the heart, and the walls of blood vessels.
Nutrients - antioxidants, vitamins, minerals normalize the functioning of the endocrine system, which contributes to the regulation of hormonal levels.
Interesting fact: to replenish your daily requirement of vitamin C, you only need to consume 70 grams of green onions.
Potassium and magnesium have a calming effect on the human psyche, his nervous system, improves sleep, relieves nervousness and depression.

Useful properties of leeks

This is another popular type of onion, which is a stem with a white beginning and a thick green tail. This vegetable uses everything from start to finish.

The taste of the variety is not as sharp as the onion or green variety, it is used in cooking and cosmetology, and looks great as a decoration for salads, meat, fish dishes, etc.

Leeks are often used to treat rheumatic processes and gout, since the culture perfectly removes particles of heavy metals and salts from the body and prevents the deposit of uric acid.
The vegetable contains a large amount of valuable lipids. If you consume at least 200 grams of the product per day, you can reduce the level of bad cholesterol and bring it back to normal.
Leek is used to thin the blood and eliminate plaques and blood clots. Thanks to the vegetable, thick blood does not accumulate in the pockets of our vessels, so varicose veins, problems with feeding cells and capillaries with oxygen do not occur. All this indicates that leeks must be included in the diet of people with vascular problems and the elderly.
This variety of culture has laxative properties and protects against constipation, the formation of hemorrhoids and hemorrhoids.
The components of the vegetable heal the intestines, destroy putrefactive substances, and take part in the formation of connective cells and tissues.

Useful properties of chives

This variety is called rezanets, sibulet, skoroda, and belongs to the perennials of the same onion family. In early spring, when the weather is warm, long, pipe-like leaves emerge from the soil. The culture blooms as an umbrella type; they can be violet, lilac, white, and ovoid in shape. The crop can be grown on a windowsill without any problems. Once you cut the bunch, in a couple of days the length of the stems will again reach the desired height.

The delicate and thin feathers of chives have many advantages. They are used not only in cooking as an excellent decoration and useful ingredient.
The culture contains choline, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, B vitamins, as well as minerals: magnesium, sodium, zinc, manganese, selenium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and calcium.
The vegetable is necessarily recommended in cold seasons, when there is a deficiency of vitamins, to protect against infectious and colds. The product has a powerful immunostimulating effect - strengthens the human body's defenses.

The benefits of onions for a pregnant woman

For every woman, pregnancy is a period of pleasant expectations and a feeling of happiness. But so that the period of bearing a child is not overshadowed by diseases, it is necessary to carefully consider the diet. It is important to understand that not everything that the expectant mother eats is good for the child in the womb. I wonder if ladies in an “interesting” position can eat onions, and if so, how much, what varieties are suitable.

Onions contain folic acid, which is essential for pregnant women. This element is needed for the formation of the baby’s nervous system and the prevention of congenital pathologies of the fetus. Also, a deficiency of this substance can cause miscarriage. Onion components take part in the synthesis of DNA structure, so it is important to include onions in the menu in the first three months.
The vegetable contains a large amount of phytoncides, which effectively fight colds and infectious diseases. It is not advisable for expectant mothers to take pills, but they are also not immune from illness. Therefore, the first assistant can be an ordinary onion - leek, chives, green or onion.
Chlorophyll is part of the substances involved in hematopoiesis. This element is simply irreplaceable and will help a pregnant woman avoid anemia and promotes the normal formation of the baby’s blood system.
Tryptophan is a substance that stimulates the production of serotonin, a hormone responsible for our mood. The element can lift your mood, eliminate depression, tearfulness, irritability, and insomnia.

As for the type of consumption, doctors have nothing against if a pregnant lady happily eats onions in any form. The main thing is to know when to stop. And yet, there are several contraindications for which the condition should not worsen:

heart disease in the acute phase;
liver diseases;
increased gas formation;
diseases of the gastric and intestinal mucosa;
acute kidney diseases;
gallbladder;
hypertension;
asthma;
allergic reaction.

One more aspect should not be ignored. Onions cause bad breath, which is why we most often refuse to eat them. To get rid of the problem, you need to eat a couple of stalks with parsley leaves and a walnut (roasted).

Is it possible to feed onions to a child?

Of course, any compassionate parent will ask whether it is possible to give their baby onions. Despite the fact that this is a very healthy product, there is also a sharpness and bitterness. And this, some believe, can be harmful to health. Let's first list briefly the beneficial properties of vegetables for a child:

The culture contains beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals, essential oils, and dietary fiber.
Flavonoids strengthen the walls of the vascular system and prevent cancer pathologies.
The raw vegetable stimulates appetite, promotes digestion, helps produce mucus and gastric juice.
Regulates metabolism, regulates peristalsis.
Baked or boiled onions eliminate constipation and chronic diarrhea, regulate blood sugar levels, and have a beneficial effect on the activity of the cardiac system.
Periodically chewing green or other types of onions destroys microbes and viruses in the oral cavity, and protects against periodontal disease.
It’s worth noting right away that you can introduce white and red onions into your baby’s diet, but not yellow ones.

Onion contraindications

Parents should pay close attention to the points that may cause their baby to consume onions:

The vegetable can irritate the mucous membranes.
Little ones need to chop the vegetable as it is tough and difficult to chew.
Onions that have undergone heat treatment lose their beneficial properties.
Green onions should not be consumed during exacerbations of kidney, liver, or gastrointestinal diseases.

Important: If you have bronchial asthma, you should absolutely not give any type of onion, as well as problems with breathing and heart.

At what age can you give your child onions? Doctors are firmly convinced - only after 3 years. In this case, it is necessary to determine whether the baby has gastrointestinal diseases, problems with the bronchi, or allergic reactions.

The first feeding with onions should be only after heat treatment of the onions. The vegetable can be added to purees or chopped in soup.

What are the benefits of onions for men?

In addition to the fact that onions are an arsenal of important substances for the health of the body as a whole and organs and systems separately, it is considered a colossal aphrodisiac. The same list can include dill, celery, parsley and a number of herbs.

Interesting fact: raw onions were strictly prohibited in monasteries - both male and female.

This product had an excellent effect on potency - increased sensitivity by stimulating blood flow to the genitals. Thanks to phytoncides, amino acids and blood thinning substances, blood circulation improved. The components also affected the activity of sperm, the sperm was also cleared of clots and became more liquid. Due to this, the time of sexual intercourse and its quality increases.

Onions are also a vegetable that increases productivity and restores strength after a hard day of work, physical activity, and is indicated for athletes after grueling training.

Contraindications are the same for both women and men, so there is no point in repeating them. Let's add only one thing - excessive consumption irritates the mucous membrane and possible vomiting, nausea, upset stomach, exacerbation of hemorrhoids, etc. Also, excessive consumption can negatively affect nerve endings and the effect will be the opposite - a person becomes irritable and aggressive.

The vegetable we studied was carefully studied by scientists from the USA. And they, in addition to others described by us, revealed one more unique property - with its help you can lose weight perfectly. For this purpose, it is best to use the so-called “Bonn” bow. And what’s nice is that you don’t need to eat it raw, but make a simple and tasty soup.

In this diet, you do not need to exhaust yourself with hunger; you can supplement your diet with other dietary types of foods.

The menu for this method of eating contains a lot of green vegetables that have negative calories. That is, their consumption takes away excess calories from the body and burns fat.

How to prepare onion soup

To prepare we need:

– 400 grams;
Bonn onion – 5 pieces;
tomatoes – 5 pieces;
bell pepper – 2 pieces;
2 carrots;
celery – 4 stalks;
greens - a bunch;
garlic, bay leaf, coriander, ginger.

Finely chop the cabbage, carrots into half rings, pepper into chunks, celery and onion into small cubes. All vegetables, excluding onions, must be placed in a container. Fill with cool water and place on the stove. Fry the onion in olive oil and add to the soup, bring to a boil and cook for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and leave for another 15 minutes. Thanks to the diet, you can lose up to 5 kilograms in a week; you can eat the dish twice a day - for breakfast and dinner. The soup cannot be salted!

To ensure the effect is guaranteed, you should not drink alcohol during the diet, eat baked goods, flour products, fried, smoked, spicy and salty foods, as well as fast food.

To enhance the results, after a week you need to take a break for 2-3 days. But this does not mean that you need to lean on everything that can lead to excess weight.

The use of onions in cosmetology

This vegetable can help restore hair, straighten nails, and improve the condition of skin and hair. We offer a simple mask that needs to be done once every 5 days. You need to prepare:

1 medium onion (onion);
1 ampoule of vitamin B1,
vitamin B6 ampoule;
1 ampoule of vitamin B12;
half a teaspoon of vitamin A (retinol);
half a teaspoon of burdock oil;
a teaspoon of mustard;
a tablespoon of cognac.

Peel the onion and turn it into a paste, add all the vitamins, mustard, oil, cognac, mix thoroughly and add a tablespoon of capsicum tincture. Rub the mixture into the hair roots and put on a plastic cap. Wear the mask for half an hour or an hour. Then rinse with warm water and herbal shampoo.

Almost everyone is aware of the medicinal properties of onions. Freshly squeezed juice and strained through gauze helps with otitis media, runny nose, and is a prevention of sinusitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, etc. This product is respected by both representatives of traditional and official medicine. If there are no contraindications, allergic reactions, or gastrointestinal diseases, eat onions and benefit from them. But there is a golden rule - everything should be in moderation. Do not forget that the medicine for poison differs in dose.

Onions are a unique plant. Despite its cheapness and availability, it has unique healing properties, thanks to which you can significantly improve your health and appearance. In our article we will tell you what problems onions will help you cope with, and also consider the beneficial properties and contraindications.

Onions: benefits and harms

There are almost 300 varieties of edible onions, but today we will talk about the most common - onions. Let's start with the beneficial characteristics of onions, because there are many more of them than negative ones.

Bulbs are rich in phytoncides and essential oils that effectively fight cold viruses.
Onions contain many vitamins: C, E, PP, B1, B6 and B2.
The plant contains organic acids, macro- and microelements, including sulfur, which affects the pungent odor.
Onions contain glucinin, an agent that naturally lowers blood sugar levels. That is why onions are recommended to be consumed in large quantities for type 2 diabetes.

Onions: the most beneficial properties

Since ancient times, onion juice has been considered a natural antibiotic that treats diseases of the upper respiratory tract and can cope with sore throats and colds. If you consume the plant fresh and sniff the cut bulb several times a day, you can assume that you have provided yourself with effective prevention and even increased your immunity.

Experts say that fresh onion juice helps increase potency and sperm production, and even has a stimulating effect. For example, there is evidence that in monastic meals onions were strictly prohibited so as not to give rise to carnal desires.

Onions exhibit their beneficial properties for edema, as they are able to remove excess fluid from the body and activate metabolic processes. It helps with diseases of the digestive tract, promotes blood purification and hematopoiesis.

Onions contain a substance called querticin, which is used in the treatment of cancer. And carotene, which is found in large quantities in green onion leaves, helps maintain healthy skin. If you are not allergic to onion juice, then you can wipe your face with half an onion to get rid of age spots and freckles.

Tip: Got a headache? Don't rush to take the pills, first try to smell the cut onion properly!

Onion shows strong antiatherosclerotic properties. If you have similar problems, take 1 tbsp 3 times a day. l. healing mass mixed in equal proportions: onion juice + . The dose should be taken correctly: 1 hour before eating, and the course of treatment is at least 1 month.

In addition to the listed beneficial characteristics, onions are an excellent adaptogen; they are used as compresses for difficult-to-heal wounds. And with half a cut onion you can wipe insect bites, including wasps. Onions are also applied to sore spots for rheumatism and swelling.

But for all its usefulness, onions, like other plants, have a number of contraindications:

If you have problems with the heart, liver or kidneys, then consuming large amounts of onions should also be treated with caution, otherwise you may cause an exacerbation of the disease.

Onions are a plant whose benefits have been proven by a lot of research. And, nevertheless, when using it you need to listen to the reactions of your body.

Onions during pregnancy

Everyone knows that onions taste spicy. It is this property that makes it an undesirable product in the diet. Of course, a little onion won’t hurt, but you shouldn’t overuse it. However, some girls, while expecting a baby, experience a special craving for onions, which is explained by hormonal changes occurring in the body.

However, it is not recommended to forget that increased consumption of onions can harm the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. And, given that a pregnant woman’s body is weakened, you should take doubly care of yourself and your unborn child. But onions, rich in phytoncides, can be inhaled to prevent respiratory diseases even by pregnant women, which once again proves its beneficial properties.

Onions during breastfeeding

In the first months, it is better to limit the consumption of onions, because the baby is just getting used to the world around him and learning its tastes, aromas and colors. There is an opinion that if a pregnant woman did not eat onions while carrying a child, then its taste in breast milk can scare away the baby and he will refuse the breast. There is no direct evidence of this, but no one will argue that “We are what we eat,” especially in the case of. Our advice is to do without onions until the child gets stronger and matures a little.

Onions for pancreatitis

Despite the mass of useful and healing properties, patients with pancreatitis will have to stop eating onions. This is especially true during an exacerbation of the disease: in this case, doctors prohibit any dishes with onions. This is due to the specific composition of the plant:

acids that enhance pancreatic secretion;
dietary fiber, which in the case of pancreatin can contribute to diarrhea and intestinal inflammation;
essential oils that influence the active production of enzymes that break down pancreatic tissue instead of protein.

Even if you heat-treat the onion, the amount of the listed substances will not become completely safe, but will simply decrease. However, its use is sometimes allowed during the period of remission, but only in blanched or boiled form. The maximum daily dose is no more than ½ onion. And remember: during the period of exacerbation of the disease, the use of onions in any form is strictly prohibited!

Onions also exhibit beneficial properties in terms of maintaining beauty. It is often used in, and is also used to strengthen nails.

Onions are a real storehouse of useful substances, without which it would be difficult for our body to resist infections and viruses. However, it is important to understand whether it is useful for you. Knowing your health problems, you will likely adjust your diet so that your body does not react negatively to eating onions. Be healthy!

Onion is a perennial plant, reaching a height of up to 90 cm. A small bunch of root system extends from the bottom of the bulb, which penetrates into the soil to a depth of 0.5 meters. The bulb appears flattened or ball-shaped with yellow, red or white shells. The stem is thick, inflated below the middle, bearing up to 9 leaves at the base. The leaves are shorter than the stem, soaked in juice, straight with pointed ends. Description of the flowers of the plant are small balls on long stalks, collected in an umbrella, sometimes there are children. Before flowering, the umbrella is surrounded by a sheath, which, from the time of flowering, is significantly shorter than the inflorescence itself by 2-3 times. Sometimes, in addition to flowers, there are small bulb bulbs, which, after falling into the soil, begin to grow and form a new plant. Onion seeds are black, triangular, wrinkled. Flowering begins in June and ends in August, fruits germinate in September. Methods of care are different, depending on which varieties were chosen.

The plant has minimal harm and contraindications, so it is widely used for use and planting. Various varieties of onions differ in shape and main color, as well as in taste, smell and sharpness. The bulbs are often covered with yellow or orange skin; there are varieties with white or purple skin. The size and weight category of the bow varies. There are plants whose description speaks of their enormous size, for example, the Valentina onion from Spain weighs up to 1 kg. The press once published a photograph of a German gardener with an onion weighing about 3 kilograms.

Beneficial vitamins found in onions

Onions contain a complex of vitamins from group B, C, E, as well as PP. Additionally, the product contains fluorine, iron, phosphorus and sodium, quercetin, saponin, essential oils, organic acids and other substances beneficial to the human body. Due to the high content of such phytonutrients, onions are classified as biologically active ingredients, which help in the treatment of many ailments of the body. The vitamins that make up onions have a beneficial effect on the body, regardless of what varieties were purchased. The plant can be used in any form.

Onions have a pungent odor and a pungent specific taste; when peeling and cutting, in some cases it leads to watery eyes. The presence of such characteristics is due to the presence of essential oil containing sulfur in large quantities. Phytoncides have a powerful effect on the body, providing antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antiviral effects. One chopped onion is enough to destroy bacteria, fungi, infections, and spores in the room. Exactly how onions work depends on which varieties were chosen for planting.

Useful properties of onions

Phytoncides of root vegetables have the property of killing tuberculosis and diphtheria bacillus, and have a negative effect on dysentery, streptococci and other pathogenic microscopic organisms.
The benefits of onions for the body are characterized by the following properties:

antiviral;
diuretics;
general strengthening;
antiviral;
hematopoietic;
tonic;
antiseptic.

For men and women, as well as children, the use of onions is advisable when:

Balancing the work of digestion and increasing the tone of the gastrointestinal tract.
Strengthening the body's immune system. This is possible due to the fact that the plant contains useful vitamins and complexes that help restore the balance of beneficial microorganisms in men and women.
Protection against influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, colds, cough onions also help effectively.
Lower blood pressure.
Reducing high levels of cholesterol inside the blood.
The benefits of onions are clearly expressed in heart diseases in men and women, as well as in eliminating atherosclerosis and arrhythmia.
Stimulation of appetite.
Balancing libido and reproductive system functions.
Decreased blood and urine sugar levels.
Relieving stress from the central nervous system.
Protecting body cells from the negative effects of radiation, for example radioactive.
The vitamins that the product contains are involved in cleansing the body of carcinogens and toxins.
Prevention of oncology.
Balancing sleep in men.
Onions help with a runny nose.
Prevention of hypovitaminosis, especially in winter. The vitamins that onions contain have the ability to replenish the required amount of nutrients inside the body.

Treatment with onions, list of diseases:

rhinitis, runny nose;
angina;
vitamin deficiency of the body;
hypertension;
enteritis;
colitis in men;
constant constipation;
disinfection of wounds;
elimination of skin diseases;
stimulation of sperm production;
increasing potency in men;
vitamins have a general strengthening effect;
from a cold.

Onions are a unique product that has medicinal properties that help against many diseases in men, children and the female half of the population. It helps against colds and also prevents viral diseases. The harm and contraindications of the plant are minimal, but they do exist.

Onions and onion peels in folk medicine, recipes:

Allergic reaction. Grate a small onion, squeeze out the juice, add a small spoon of honey and lemon juice, mix. Take the decoction every day 2.5 hours after meals in the evening. Cut the fresh onion, make a hole and pour 1 small spoon of flax oil into it, bake in the oven. Squeeze out the juice and use hot.
. The healing properties of onions will show themselves in the form of a compress from the product. You need to grate the ingredient, squeeze out the juice of the onion, and soak a gauze bandage with it. Wrap a cloth around your neck and leave it overnight; in the morning there will be no trace of the cold left.
Elimination of atherosclerosis. Grate a large onion, cover with granulated sugar, leave for 3 days. Use the decoction internally, 1 spoon every 3 hours.
Treatment of bronchitis, also suitable for colds. Pour boiled water over a large spoonful of coltsfoot herb, cool, add onion juice and its puree, mix and strain. Use a spoonful of the decoction 3 times a day.
Onions are effective for a runny nose. Grind the ingredient, pour into a glass container and cover with a funnel. Place the structure on fire in the form of a water bath. Breathe the emanating steam. The procedure is also effective against colds.

What are the benefits of onion peel?

Onions can be used for medicinal purposes not only as a decoction, juice or puree. Onion peel actively helps fight many diseases. It contains quercetin, an effective antioxidant and antihistamine. The properties of onion peels show themselves when gargling during sore throat, pharyngitis, as well as dental problems with teeth and gums. When using this product to rinse your gums and teeth, you need to be careful not to stain your teeth yellow. The decoction should not be too concentrated and dark, otherwise it will be disgusting, and besides, having this color, it will be impossible to remove it from the teeth for several days, or even weeks.

Harm and contraindications of the product

Despite the beneficial properties and vitamins that make up the root vegetable, the plant also has its contraindications. Onions are not suitable for everyone, since each person is unique and has his own body characteristics. The harm to the product is based on its use in its raw form. Propanthial, which is part of the product, irritates the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines; for overly sensitive people, this effect can be decisive in inflammatory processes of the stomach. Contraindications to the use of onions:

gastritis, ulcer;
asthma;
kidney and liver diseases;
difficulty breathing.

The use of fresh product can cause the development of hypertension and heart problems. By causing such harm, the human body is seriously undermined, and it is difficult to restore it. in many cases it does not harm the body, but has its contraindications. There is also an individual intolerance to the product. Using baked and cooked onions in moderation is beneficial for almost everyone; this ingredient is not harmful and contains the same vitamins.

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