The onion seems to be a very ordinary, perhaps even boring, vegetable. Often a part of a dish, but it has rarely a main role. In this post I want to put the onion in the spotlight, because this vegetable can be used in many ways to support your health.
Quercetin
Onions contain many healthy vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. One of those substances is quercetin, an antioxidant. Quercetin reduces the multiplication of many viruses, including rhinovirus (common cold) and influenza [i]. In addition, it can reduce inflammation and has a positive effect on blood circulation.[ii]
Red onions contain the most quercetin, especially in the outer layer.
Apply for a cold
Onions can be used in many ways for colds. I want to share some of them with you here.
Blokked nose
The first is also the simplest: cut an onion in half and put it on a saucer next to the bed overnight. My experience is that it helps to keep a stuffy nose open, so you can sleep better when you have a cold. This application is ideal for babies and small children who don't like nasal spray or blowing their nose.
In the morning, throw away the onion and ventilate the bedroom well. The onion smell will disappear in no time.
Cough syrup
If you have a sore throat and cough, it is nice to take a scoop of cough syrup to soothe the symptoms. Unfortunately, many commercial cough syrup contain sugar or an artificial sweetener as the first and most important ingredient. Sugar reduces the efficiency with which white blood cells can do their job during an infection. The recipe for making your own cough syrup contains honey, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Supplies:
An organic red onion, an ordinary one can also be used
Organic honey
Glass jar
1. Thinly slice the onion and place in a glass jar.
2. Cover the onion with honey. Make sure the two ingredients are well mixed.
3. Optional: add additional ingredients if desired, such as garlic, ginger or
thyme.
4. Let the jar sit on the counter. After one to several hours you will see a thin liquid
arise when you tilt the jar. This is the cough syrup.
5. After 24 hours you can strain the onions from the cough syrup. You can keep the
cough syrup in the refrigerator.
Adults can take a generous teaspoon three times a day. Children three times a day a small teaspoon. You give young children from 1 year half a teaspoon of cough syrup two to three times a day.
Under the feet
Another use for coughing is to apply onions underfoot overnight.
Supplies:
Half an onion (place the other half on a saucer next to your bed!)
Cling film
Socks
1. Cut the onion into thin slices.
2. Tear off two pieces of plastic wrap.
3. Place the onion slices on the foil and place your bare foot on it. The onion must be
the sole of the footcover.
4. Fold the foil around the foot and carefully pull the sock over it to put the whole
thing onto keep place. Repeat for the other foot.
5. Go to sleep
6. The next morning, remove the onion wrap and wash your feet.
Onion poultice
With a cold, cough and mucus in the lungs, an onion poultice can provide relief.
Supplies:
Onion
Pot
Cotton cloth
The number of onions and the size of the cloth will depend on the person you treat.
1. Slice the onions.
2. Steam the onions until they are warm and soft. You can also bake the onion in a
little water.
3. Let the onions cool until they are pleasantly warm and not too hot.
4. Wrap the onions in the cotton cloth and place it on the chest and/or back until ithas
cooled down.
5. You can leave the compress on all night if you wish. Keep it in place by putting on a
tight-fitting shirt.
Earache
Ear infections can be a complication of a cold. Earaches can be very painful. Here too, the simple onion can be helpful.
Supplies:
Onion
Pan
(Thin) tea towel, cheesecloth or other cotton fabric
Beanie hat
1. Halve the onion and steam the onion until warm and slightly soft. Optionally you
can also fry the onion in a little water.
2. Check the temperature of the onion. The onion should be nice and warm, but not
too hot.
3. Place the cut surface on the cloth and fold the cloth around the onion. Make sure
there is only 1 layer of fabric against the cut surface of the onion.
4. Hold the onion against the painful ear. Make sure the onion is not too hot. Be extra
careful with young children who cannot indicate what is too hot. Fix the onion
against the ear by putting a hat over the head.
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