- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia (central), cultivated worldwide
- Sanskrit
- Palandu
Asia · Food · № 240
Allium cepa
Food · Asia
Onion
Allium cepa
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, expectorant, skin-irritant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic; for cough, haemorrhoids, jaundice, indigestion, insect bites, boils, wounds, chilblains and sore joints.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Eat raw; juice with sugar; decoction; tea 15–20 ml; seed powder 1–3 g; roasted onion as a compress; juice with mustard oil as a liniment.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica and home, kitchen and folk custom. Sanskrit name: Palandu. In herbal magic associated with protection, exorcism, healing, prosperity. Onions were already eaten in ancient Egypt and used in embalming; the workers on the pyramids received onions as rations. In Ayurveda (palandu) they are considered warming; Brahmins avoided them. In Europe cooked onions were laid as a compress on earache.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Stimulating, diuretic, expectorant, skin-irritant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic; for cough, haemorrhoids, jaundice, indigestion, insect bites, boils, wounds, chilblains and sore joints.
Preparation and amount
Eat raw; juice with sugar; decoction; tea 15–20 ml; seed powder 1–3 g; roasted onion as a compress; juice with mustard oil as a liniment.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Protection, exorcism, healing, prosperity, purification, health.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Attributed effects
Strengthens the immune system against illness.
Preparation and amount
Gazpacho, soups (including onion soup), cheese-and-herb rice, herb bread.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionSalve and balmCompress, poultice and pastePowder and kitchen