Onion Juice Benefits and Uses for Skin, Hair and Health
Onion is a member of lily family and an important ingredient in any of the dish you make. It is full of nutritive values and is widely used for treating hair fall, fever, infertility, pigmentation, insomnia and so on. If you have a bleeding nose, cut a piece of onion and smell it. This will stop bleeding immediately. Having a glass of onion juice in the morning on an empty stomach is very beneficial. You can have a glass of water to which honey is mixed to sooth the burning sensation you feel in the throat after drinking onion juice. Take care not to eat or drink anything for at least one hour after you drink onion juice.
Onion has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-cholesterol properties and it is also rich in flavonoids and phenolics.
Nutritional Value of Onion Juice
The nutritional composition of onion may vary from one strain of onion to the other. It depends on various factors like maturity and the how long it is stored.
Onion juice is a rich source of Vitamins C, B6 and folic acid. It is also a good source of calcium, iron, chromium, magnesium and phosphorous. Sulfur is present in trace amounts in onion juice and this provides it the ability to fight against cancer. Chromium in onion juice can lower the levels of blood glucose in the body. Onion juice is also recommended for anemic patients.
Benefits of Onion Juice for Skin:
Good for skin:
Onion can increase the circulation of blood in the tissue layer. You can use roasted or raw onion to treat boils, wounds, bruises and even for earache. Mix onion juice with honey and apply it on your skin. This helps in getting rid of freckles and pigments.
Mix onion juice with turmeric to make a paste. Apply this on your skin and wait for an hour. Wash off with water. With regular application you can get rid of brown spots, dark pigmentations, liver spots and discolorations on your skin.
Benefits of Onion Juice for Hair:
Hair growth:
Onion contains sulphur in trace amounts and this is one of the elements that are great for improving hair growth. By applying onion juice on your scalp twice a week for two months, you can increase the growth of your hair. The smell of the onion will go away once you wash your hair thoroughly.
For treating hair loss, take onion juice and massage you scalp with it before going to bed at night. Let it dry and them apply olive oil and massage your scalp. Wash off with a mild shampoo the next day. You will soon notice the change it brings to your hair.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of Onion juice:
Cardiovascular advantages:
You can reduce the cholesterol levels in your body by consuming onion regularly. This is because of the presence of chromium, sulfur compounds and Vitamin B complex in onions. These help in lowering the homocysteine levels, which in turn stop cardiac arrest. Increase in homocysteine levels is one of the main reasons for cardiac stroke.
Fights cancer:
Onion is made up of a unique type of sulfides, which can prevent neoplasm growth. By consuming onions regularly, you can reduce the risk of cancers like renal cell cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer and laryngeal cancer.
Improves digestion:
Onion is rich in inulin, which is a dietary fiber on which the good bacteria living in the intestine feed. Inulin ensures proper bowel movements and maintains the levels of healthy bacteria. This in turn helps in improving digestion.
Maintains bone health:
According to studies made recently, onion contain a certain compound that can prevent bone loss in excess. It is very beneficial for women who are going through menopause and are at higher risk of osteoporosis. So, consume onions to make your bones strong and healthy and to prevent various diseases of the bones.
Prevents oral infection:
Onion has bactericidal properties and this property comes in great use for your oral health. It can prevent oral infection and decay of tooth. According to studies made, by chewing raw onion for three minutes you can kill all the germs that may be present in your mouth. If you have tooth ache, place a piece of onion on your aching tooth and this will provide you relief from the pain.
Protects against allergies:
Onion is rich in natural antihistamine quercetin, which can prevent allergies and asthma. Quercetin that you get from onion is easily absorbed in the intestine and it is circulated for a longer time than the quercetin you get from other food sources.
Remedy for cold and respiratory disorder:
Onion has expectorant properties and this makes it very beneficial for treating cold and other respiratory issues. The volatile oil in onion can help in getting rid of mucus and also prevents any fresh formation of mucus. ‘It has been used for treating cough, congestion, bronchitis and metabolism infections from ages. Raw onion can helps you fight colds.
You can mix equal quantities of onion juice and honey and keep it aside for about 5 to 6 hours. Have this mixture 2 to 3 times a day to get relief from cough and bronchitis.
Reduces glucose levels:
By consuming onion regularly, you can reduce the levels of blood glucose in your body. This is because of the presence of allyl propyl disulfide. Onion also contains trace amounts of chromium, which can improve the glucose tolerance and reduce the levels fasting sugar.
Side Effects of Onion Juice:
Make sure that you do not consume onion juice in excess. This can cause gastric irritation. So, have it in moderate quantities only. Onion juice may also cause nausea and vomiting in some people. Some people experience skin irritation when raw onion juice is applied on their skin. So test it on a small area of your skin before you use it.