Can you imagine a recipe without the Onions? This wonderful bulb vegetable, one of the oldest edible source known to humankind, is found in a bewildering array of recipes and preparations, be it your favourite salad, or mouth-watering gravy or curries. It has also been in used in traditional medicines since ancient times for its health promoting and curative properties.
Botanically, the vegetable belongs to the Alliaceae family of the genus Allium and known scientifically as: Allium cepa.
The allium plant grows about 2 feet tall and bears an underground globular stem, which consists of modified leaves arranged in whorls. There are many cultivars onions grown around the world. The average crop takes about 3 to 4 months time. Top greens or scallions and flower heads are also eaten all around the world.

The sharp, pungent smell of onions is due to its sulphur compound allyl propyl disulphide. Spanish red onions are generally less strongly flavoured than white or brown, which makes them ideal to use raw in salads.

Shallot (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum) is a variety of the onion that produces a cluster of small-elongated bulbs from a single planted bulb. Shallots are relatively smaller and tastes sweeter than onions.

Health benefits

Onions are very low in calories (just 40 cal per 100 g) and fats; but rich in soluble dietary fibre.

Onion phyto-chemical compounds allium and Allyl disulphide convert to allicin by enzymatic reaction when the bulb disturbed (crushing, cutting etc). Studies have shown that these compounds have anti-mutagenic (protects from cancers) and anti-diabetic properties (helps lower blood sugar levels in diabetics).

 Laboratory studies show that allicin reduces cholesterol production by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the liver cells. Further, it also found to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal activities.

Allicin also decreases blood vessel stiffness by release of nitric oxide (NO); thereby bring reduction in the total blood pressure. It also blocks platelet clot formation and has fibrinolytic action in the blood vessels which, helps decrease overall risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular diseases (PVD), and stroke.

They are rich source of chromium, the trace mineral that helps tissue cells respond appropriately to insulin levels in the blood; thus helps facilitate insulin action and control sugar levels in diabetes.

They are also good source of antioxidant flavonoid quercetin, which is found to have anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic functions.

They are also good in anti-oxidant vitamin, vitamin-C and mineral manganese which is required as co-factor for anti-oxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. In addition, isothiocyanates anti-oxidants in them help provide relief from cold and flu by exerting anti-inflammatory actions.

Onions are also good in B-complex group of vitamins like pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folates and thiamin. Pyridoxine or vitamin B-6 helps keep up GABA levels in the brain, which works against neurotic conditions

Good Oral Health: Onions are often used to prevent tooth decay and oral infections. Chewing raw onions for 2 to 3 minutes can potentially kill all the germs present in the oral area and surrounding places like the throat and lips.

Immune System Strength: The phytochemicals that are present in significant amounts in onions act as a stimulant to vitamin C within the body. The efficacy of vitamin C, and subsequently your immune system, is boosted when you eat onions, since it supercharges your immune system against toxins and various foreign bodies that can lead to disease and illness.

Treatment for Heart Ailments: Onions act as anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, which in turn prevents the red blood cells from forming clumps. These blocks and clots can lead to heart disorders or cardiovascular diseases.

Manage Diabetes: Onions contain chromium, which is a relatively unusual mineral to find naturally in food. Chromium helps the body manage blood sugar levels and ensure a slow, gradual release of glucose to the muscles and the body cells. Therefore, eating onions can help modulate your blood sugar levels, which is vitally important for diabetic patients.

Used as Insect Repellent: You can apply onion juice to reduce the pain caused from honeybee stings. Fresh onion juice or paste can be used for external applications for other insect bites and scorpion stings as well. The smell of onions also causes insects to flee, which is why onions can be used as insect repellents as well as a form of sting treatment.

Prevention of Cancer: Onions are rich in active compounds that successfully inhibit the development and spread of cancerous cells. Quercetin is a very powerful antioxidant compound that has been consistently linked to the prevention or reduction of the spread of cancer, they have a significant amount of quercetin! Vitamin C is also a strong antioxidant, which can reduce the presence and impact of free radicals throughout the body. Free radicals are the chemical by-products of cellular metabolism, and they can cause healthy cells to mutate into cancerous cells. Therefore, any food rich in antioxidants, which neutralize these free radicals, are beneficial for anyone, since every person is susceptible to this internal attack due to oxidative stress!

Relieving Earache: A few drops of onion juice may actually prove immensely beneficial to individuals suffering from acute earache. The ringing sound in the ear may be cured by applying onion juice through a piece of cotton wool.

Glowing Skin: Onion juice mixed with honey or olive oil is said to be best treatment for treating symptoms or signs of acne. Onions are also notorious anti-inflammatory vegetables, so the active compounds in onions can reduce the redness and swelling that is commonly associated with skin conditions like acne. It also helps to reduce the associated pain and inflammation of conditions like gout and arthritis.

Treatment for Cough: Consuming an equal mixture of onion juice and honey can relive sore throats and coughing symptoms.

Boosts Sexual Drive: Onions are said to increase the urge for a healthy sex life. One table spoon of onion juice along with one spoonful of ginger juice, taken three times a day, can boost the libido and sex drive.

Treatment of Anaemia: Even anaemic conditions can be improved by eating onions along with jaggery and water, because this adds to the mineral content of the body, especially iron, which is an essential part of producing new red blood cells. Therefore, anaemia, also known as iron deficiency, can be prevented by having a health amount of onions in your diet.

Relieves Stomach Aches: Onions have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that give relief to upset stomach and other related gastric syndromes. This is due to the saponins that can be found in onions. These saponins have anti-spasmodic capabilities that ensure that stomach disturbances do not continue and that your bowels are clear and smoothly functioning.

Treating Urinary Disorders: For those suffering from a burning sensation during urination, onions can provide considerable relief. People suffering from this condition should drink water boiled with 6 to 7 grams of onions.

According to Peace Health, onions have long been useful for treating various human diseases such as tumours, persistent coughs and colds. Medical practitioners consider this plant form as a perfect home remedy for relieving various metabolic disorders and disease syndromes. Peace Health further states that onion consumption can even help in the prevention of stomach and breast cancer.

Onions Consist of Sulphur Rich Compounds- Medical studies have revealed that these sulfuric compounds stop biochemical chain formations that could possibly lead to asthmatic conditions. The sulfuric content of onions facilitates the melting of phlegm in a patient suffering from severe coughing. Fresh onion juices are recommended for patients who lose consciousness, because the aroma and inhalant qualities of onions bring immediate vigor and energy into people.

In terms of onions’ role in various culinary delights, onions has been used for thousands of years in many food preparations. It is especially used for preparing non-vegetarian food in order to hide some of the harsher tastes and smells of meat. Onions can be consumed raw, pickled in vinegar, fried in oil, baked or boiled. Onions are certainly a boon to mankind that might make us cry, but they should be tears of joy, considering all the health benefits we are getting at the same time!