Onions are ones of the most powerful natural antibiotics that strengthen the immune system and offer numerous health benefits.  They belong to the Allium family and are abundant in sulfur which provides strong antibiotic and antiseptic properties.

Also, onions are high in the antioxidant Quercetin which fights free radical damage.

Jillian Levy, CHHC explains:

“At least 25 different flavonols have been identified across all onion varieties! Quercetin is often found in allergy products because it can lower the effects of histamines on the immune system. And anthocyanins, the same type of antioxidants found in red berries, are responsible for giving red onions their deep color.

Another form of onions’ flavonoids is alkenyl cysteine sulphoxides (ACSOs), sulfur compounds that have been reported to have a range of health benefits, including anti-carcinogenic properties, antiplatelet activity, anti-thrombotic activity, anti-asthmatic and antibiotic effects. “

Moreover, a cup of raw, chopped onions contains about:

• 64 calories
• 0 grams fat
• 2 grams protein
• 2 grams fiber
• 7 grams of sugar
• 8 milligrams vitamin C (20 percent DV)
• 0.2 milligrams vitamin B6 (10 percent DV)
• 0.2 milligrams manganese (10 percent DV)
• 22 milligrams folate (8 percent DV)
• 234 milligrams potassium (7 percent DV)
• 46 milligrams phosphorus (5 percent DV)
• 0.07 vitamin B1 thiamine (5 percent DV)

They have been used as natural remedies for centuries, especially in the treatment of colds and the flu, diabetes, cough, arthritis, heart disease, high cholesterol, bronchitis, and respiratory conditions.

Here are some other uses of onions:

Ear pain/infection– Chop an onion, place the pieces in a thin sock, and tie it closed. Place it over the painful ear and cover with a hat. 

Vomiting- To immediately stop vomiting and nausea, grate 1 white or yellow onion, and squeeze the juice while wrapped in a cheesecloth. Brew a strong cup of peppermint tea, leave it to cool. Drink 2 teaspoons of the onion juice, wait for 5 minutes, and then drink 2 teaspoons of the cool peppermint tea. Wait for 5 minutes, and take onion juice again. Repeat until all symptoms subside.

Cuts- To use its antiseptic properties and stop bleeding, use the transparent film of the onion skin on cuts.

Breakup chest congestion- Add crushed onions to coconut oil, and coat the chest with the paste. Cover with a towel.

Colic- Boil a bit of diced yellow onion in water, strain, and give your baby a teaspoon of the tea on every hour.

Fever- Slice an onion into thin slices. Rub the bottom of the feet with coconut oil, and place onion slices onto the arches of the feet, wrap with cling wrap, and put on socks. In the morning, they will absorb all toxins and illness from the body.

A cough- Peel a large onion, slice it in half, and cover the pieces with a tablespoon of brown sugar. Cover the onions for an hour, and then take the remedy twice daily. 

Cleanse the air- To cleanse the air of bacteria and viruses, distribute onion slices throughout your house.

Here are some additional uses of onions:

• Rub a cut onion on the face to prevent freckling
• Rub a bit of onion juice rubbed into the hair to speed up its growth
• Rub a cut onion on the body to repel bugs
• Onion juice repels moths
• To repel pests, spray the plants with boiled and cooled onion juice
• To prevent rusting of iron objects, rub them with an onion slice
• Use onion slices to polish copper and glassware

Source: www.cuisineandhealth.com