Is onion good for the liver or harmful — 4 medicinal properties and possible negative effects

Onion is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the onion family. Onions are one of the most widespread and useful crops ever grown by man from ancient times to the present.

In addition to the undoubted gastronomic benefits, onions also have medicinal properties that were recognized back in the time of Hippocrates. Healers and the common people of Rome, Ancient Greece, Egypt and even Persia knew firsthand that various subspecies of onions perfectly cope with some ailments.

Later, people were able to study the biochemical composition of this plant and realized that the onion owes its beneficial properties to it.

Modern research indicates indicates that onions have hepatoprotective properties, protecting the liver from the negative effects of toxins and poisons. In the USA, doctors recommend including it in the diet for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NZHD).

But can onions be harmful to liver health in certain pathologies, or not?  In what cases can it be useful? Is it possible to use onion-based remedies for treatment? What do the doctors say about this? All the answers are in the article.

Biochemical composition

It is quite common to see different varieties of onions on market and store shelves. This is our usual yellow onion, and white, and purple.

Red bulbs first made themselves known in Central Asia. It was there that this onion variety was bred. In fact, this variety differs from yellow and white only in color, since it contains several more anthocyanin pigments (colored plant glycosides). It is thanks to this increased pigmentation that the onion can take on a red, purple and even blue hue.

Depending on the composition of the anthocyanins (neutral, acidic or alkaline), the onion will acquire the appropriate shade (purple-blue, red, yellow, respectively). The stems of the plant, which we call green onions, also have medicinal properties.

In addition to pigments, onions contain a huge number of other useful components, including:

• Polysaccharides . Each bulb (regardless of the variety) contains a fruit that stores a polysaccharide included in the group of plant antibiotics. It is this substance that makes onions have a slightly sweet taste. It is thanks to this component that onions have since ancient times been considered an excellent fighter against viral infections of various kinds;
• Monosaccharides. These are, first of all, maltose, sucrose and glucose. These components saturate the cells of our body energy ;
• Amino Acids . They are engaged in normalization of metabolic processes and elimination of toxins and metabolic products from the body;
• Phytoncides . The main fighters against fungi and harmful bacteria of all shapes and colors. Leeks are especially useful in this regard;
• Essential Oils . Great help Overcome fatigue , lethargy, prevent the appearance of overwork.

Trace elements included in the composition:

• Potassium. Helps to normalize the water balance in the body;
• Calcium . Lowers cholesterol, strengthens the musculoskeletal system;
• Sulfur . Responsible for all the "beauty" of our body (nails, hair, skin);
• Chrome. Normalizes blood sugar levels;
• Phosphorus . Helps calcium in strengthening bones and the skeleton as a whole;
• Chlorine . Regulates digestive processes;
• Magnesium . Provides a normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels ;
• Selenium . It is responsible for the endocrine system and thyroid gland;
• Iron . The main element of hematopoiesis.

Vitamins in the composition:

• Vitamin C. Antiviral component;
• Vitamin E. Nourishes the skin, prevents premature cell aging;
• Vitamin K . An important component for normal assimilation of calcium ;
• Vitamins of group B. Strengthen the nervous system and everything related to it.

4 medicinal properties for the liver and gastrointestinal tract

It's not for nothing that the saying "Onion &8212; from seven ailments" has been going around for a long time. This plant is really unique in its healing properties. It benefits not only our immunity during outbreaks of acute respiratory viral infections, but also helps to overcome some diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract:

1. Effective remedy for hepatitis, alcohol poisoning and cirrhosis . Blue-purple bulbs are known for their cleansing and choleretic properties. That is why, with various liver pathologies, some doctors advise resorting to recipes for cleansing the liver with the addition of onions;
2. Triggers liver tissue regeneration . Another indisputable advantage of the plant is the ability to activate regenerative processes in liver cells. It triggers liver renewal, which has a beneficial effect on the whole body;
3. Prevention of the development of pathologies of the gallbladder. Due to its ability to enhance bile flow, onions help protect the gallbladder from the appearance of inflammatory processes and the formation of stones;
4. Increases the protective functions of the body . The body's ability to cope with various pathologies on its own is already half the success. Bulbs help strengthen the immune system, improve the general condition of the patient and improve metabolic processes.

Possible harm

Where there is a plus sign, you can often see a minus sign. So it's not surprising that for all the advantages of the onion, one should not forget about its disadvantages. One of the possible adverse reactions (and, accordingly, contraindications to use) the following deviations can be named:

1. Acute exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
2. The presence of a duodenal ulcer or stomach ulcer;
3. Gastritis;
4. Pancreatitis;
5. Severe liver and kidney pathologies (including cholecystitis, kidney or liver failure);
6. Allergic reactions;
7. Intolerance to the smell of the product, which can cause asthma attacks or bronchospasm;
8. Increased acidity in the stomach;
9. The presence of tachycardia or arrhythmia prohibits the use of the product;
10. The presence of hypertension restricts the use of the product;
11. You can not eat onions in the presence of pathologies of the urinary system (including kidney stones or gallstones).

You can also not get carried away with onions in the last trimester of pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding (the risk of developing diathesis in the baby is high).

3 recipes for remedies based on it

In fact, there are not so many medicinal recipes with the addition of onions that help the liver. But they are all quite simple and effective.

1. Blue onion medicine with sugar for liver treatment

For this recipe, you will need a blue onion. In some recipes, this plant variety is also called purple. So don't be scared, purple onion and blue &8212; are the same thing. However, red onions can also be used in this recipe.

For cooking of this medicinal dish

1. Take sugar and onions in equal parts (you can take 250 mg each).
2. Onions need to be cleaned and crushed to a pulp.
3. Mix onion porridge with sugar and put it in a dark place (at room temperature) for 10 days.
4. After the mixture is infused, strain it.

You need to take the medicine four tablespoons a day.

For those who just can't get over the smell, there is another variation of the recipe :

1. Take 500 g of onion and 250 g of granulated sugar.
2. We grind the plant, mix it with sweet sand, put the raw materials in some kind of fireproof container and send it to the oven.
3. As soon as you notice that the mixture has become a caramel shade, it's time to take it out.

Such a mixture should be eaten 2 tablespoons twice a day strictly on an empty stomach. The duration of the therapeutic course is usually calculated individually, depending on the pattern of the disease (at least 3 months is standard).

2. With honey and wine

Another possible way to treat liver pathologies is a recipe with the addition of red onion, honey, wormwood and wine.

To cook such an unusual dish, take:

• Red onions (about 350 grams);
• Dried wormwood 50 g;
• Natural honey (150 g);
• Red grape wine (3, 5 cups).

Peel, chop and mix the onion with all the ingredients presented. Put the mixture in a dark place for 21 days.

Take the medicine 3 tablespoons three times a day.

3. With the addition of lemon and garlic

One of the most effective and powerful cleanses is cleaning with garlic, lemon and onion. In order for it to be as effective as possible, you should stop consuming dairy products during this cleansing process, and also do not overload your body with fatty, fried, spicy, salty and canned food (and, God save you, alcohol!).

Take:

• Lemon (1 piece). It is best to take ECO-lemons, but if you could not get them, then wash the fruit with running water with a brush before using, and then scald it with boiling water;
• Onion of any color (1 piece);
• 1 whole garlic head;
• Milk (1 liter).

In total, the procedure will take 4 full days. All this time you will have to take a prepared drink.

The remedy is prepared as follows:

1. Finely chop the garlic along with the husk and onion with the skin.
2. Chop the lemon together with the peel.
3. Mix all the ingredients, pour into a saucepan and pour over the milk.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to a minimum and cook the medicine in this way for 3-4 minutes.
5. Then remove the container from the burner and cool the mixture to room temperature.
6. Filter the drink.
7. You should get four full cups of the mixture (throw the rest away).
8. The finished infusion should be stored in the refrigerator.

How do I take this drink? You need to drink half a glass in the morning and evening, 30 minutes before meals. Yes, it's tasteless, but where to go! Your lymph will thank you very much!

Is it allowed to eat for diseases?

Is it possible to eat onions for liver diseases? And why do many people say that this should not be done? There is no definite answer to this question.

As practice shows, the same remedy can work differently for each patient and for each disease. Sometimes it is beneficial, sometimes it is not. Therefore, patients always hear the hackneyed advice when asking such questions: go to the doctor and find out.

This is not a call to abandon traditional medicine, it is rather a desire to prevent possible negative consequences of self-medication . The doctor will be able to describe your clinical picture in more detail, and based on these data, you will be able to decide for yourself whether you should resort to the help of onions or not.

This plant has choleretic and restorative properties. It is also able to trigger tissue regeneration, which is especially important in various liver pathologies such as cirrhosis and fatty hepatosis. So in theory, this remedy should help well with abnormalities in the liver.

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Conclusion

The benefits of onions have been discovered since ancient times. People have learned to use this plant not only in cooking, but also in medicine. The onion composition, rich in vitamins and minerals, effectively fights many pathologies, including liver diseases. Therefore, if you have been looking for a good remedy for cleansing and restoring the liver for a long time, then pay attention to this product.