Onions might be one of the most divisive foods on the planet. Some people include them in just about every meal, and others can’t stand even the smell of this pungent vegetable.
Whether you love them or hate them, there’s no question that onions have numerous health benefits. Here are just a few ways onions can benefit your body.
1) Cough Suppressant
If you’re suffering from a cough, the sulfur in onions can help. Just cut the onion in slices, cover in brown sugar, and let them sit for an hour.
Eat from this odd-sounding relish twice a day, and you should find your cough abating.
2) Soothing a Baby
If you have a baby with colic, an onion can pacify them. A teaspoon of onion tea every hour will settle the baby’s stomach, relax muscles, calm your little one down.
To make this tea, just boil a diced yellow onion in water, allow it to cool, then drain it.
3) Fighting Hair Loss
Onion tea can also be rubbed on the scalp the promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. The antioxidants in onions will help your hair grow stronger and fuller. For those who suffer from dandruff, onion steeped in hot water can also help with dry scalp.
Just take some of this onion “tea” in the shower with you and apply before shampooing your hair.
4) Clearing up Chest Congestion
Mixing chopped onion with coconut oil creates a paste that can clear up your chest congestion.
Rub this paste on your chest, and the vapors from the onions will loosen up mucus and improve your immune system.
5) Helping Cuts Heal Faster
The skin of an onion actually had antimicrobial agents that can help heal cuts. Just apply it directly to a cut to prevent infection and allow for shorter healing times.
6) Clearing up an Ear Infection
It may sound surprising, but an onion can help with an ear infection.
Chop up some onions, place them in a thin sock, and tie it closed. Put the sock over your ear and hold it in place with a hat. This should help with the pain.
7) Soothing Bug Bites
The anti-inflammatory properties of an onion are great for bug bites. Just rub an onion slice directly on the affected area and it should help with the itching and swelling.
8) Fighting Nausea
If you’re nauseated, take some onions and squeeze the juices out with a cheesecloth. Take two teaspoons of this juice, then five minutes later drink two teaspoons of peppermint tea.
Continue this until you no longer feel nauseated.
9) Soothing a Sore Throat
Boil some onion slices and onion skin in water. Take that mixture and gargle with it. You can add some honey or some lemon to make the flavor a little better if you’re not a fan of the taste.
10) Purifying the Air
Many people can’t stand the smell of onions, but they actually remove toxins from the air in your home. A sliced onion will absorb the bacteria and germs in the air, allowing you to breathe easier.
11) Treating Sunburns
Rubbing onion slices on a sunburn can help it heal faster.
The sulfur in onions helps with regeneration of skin that has been damaged by the sun.
12) Reducing Fever
To reduce a fever, cut up some thin onion slices. Next rub some coconut oil on the bottom of your feet and apply the onion slices to the arch of each foot.
