Does onion really help with colds and flu?

For hundreds of years, onions have remained the most popular folk remedy for colds and viral diseases. It is eaten and used as compresses, inhalations, ointments and drinks are created on its basis.

But does this vegetable have the health benefits attributed to it? Does chopped onion help against viruses in the room, against colds and flu, does it kill germs in the air? We will talk about this and much more in our article.

Useful properties of onions for the human body

It is worth starting a conversation about the qualities of an onion with its composition - it is in it that the secrets of useful properties lie. The vegetable contains a large amount of vitamins, macro- and microelements:

1. Vitamin A, or beta-carotene. An antioxidant that has a beneficial effect on the immune and nervous systems, renews the skin, improves vision. Takes part in the formation of bone tissue and the production of hormones.
2. Vitamin E, or tocopherol. It has a positive effect on the immune system and the functioning of the gonads, protects the body from harmful external influences Participates in the process of assimilation of fats and proteins, accelerates healing processes and normalizes blood clotting.
3. Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. Antioxidant involved in collagen production. Supports the immune system and redox processes in the body.
4. Vitamin B1, or thiamine. Normalizes metabolic processes, forms and ensures the formation of the central nervous system.
5. Vitamin B2, or riboflavin. Promotes the synthesis of nerves and skin cells in the body. Takes part in the formation of red blood cells, stimulates the adrenal glands and protects the eyes from ultraviolet rays.
6. Vitamin B9, or folic acid. Has a beneficial effect on female fertility and the process of DNA formation, aids in protein absorption.
7. Vitamin PP, or niacin, also known as niacin. Responsible for energy production, normalization of sugar and cholesterol levels. It is used as a preventive measure for osteoarthritis and diabetes mellitus.

Among the active microelements of onions, suchlike fluorine, copper, cobalt, iron, sodium, phosphorus, ash, manganese, iodine, zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium.

Important! Onions contain special substances - phytoncides, thanks to which the product has its antiviral properties.

The beneficial properties of the vegetable are not limited to those indicated in the composition. It acts as a natural antibiotic and helps with vitamin deficiency, improves metabolism and helps to remove excess fluid from the body, its juice increases potency.

Among the main useful properties of the product are such:

• activation of metabolism;
• antimicrobial action;
• lowering blood pressure;
• removal of harmful substances from the body;
• anthelmintic and diuretic action.

Does onion help with colds and flu

Thanks to a composition rich in vitamins, iron, organic acids, minerals and essential oils, onions can indeed be useful for prevention and help in the treatment of viral and colds.

Important! The immunostimulant selenium contained in onions will help with the prevention of such a cold complication as pneumonia.

Due to the presence of phytoncides, immunostimulants and essential oils in the composition the body creates an environment that is not suitable for the development of viruses... Vitamin C protects the mucous membranes. Onions cannot act as a medicine on their own, but they support immunity and help the body fight viruses.

This the product can be a powerful preventive measure, supporting immunity during epidemics in the autumn-winter period, will help the body fight viruses if the disease cannot be avoided.

How onions work for colds and flu

For colds and flu, onions affect the body in this way:

• increases the resistance of the immune system;
• acts as a strong antioxidant;
• fights against pathogenic microflora in the body;
• has a bactericidal effect;
• stop dysbiosis;
• activates healing processes.

Zinc, iron and vitamin B increase hemoglobin and activate the body's natural resources. Phytoncides are able to cope with unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

Important! Onions can help relieve headaches - just cut off a slice and sniff it for a couple of minutes.

Medical experts are divided over whether onions can kill viruses and germs... Some believe that the vegetable can only strengthen the immune system, while others endow the product with antimicrobial properties.

It is believed that the bactericidal and antiseptic effects of onions are associated with phytoncides that stimulate immunity and fight viruses. These substances are capable of destroying not only influenza and colds pathogens, but also other pathogenic microbes, including diphtheria, tuberculosis and dysentery viruses.

Which onion is better to take for colds and how

Most effective for colds - onions... The concentration of nutrients in its composition is much higher, due to which its effect on the body is more noticeable.

Nevertheless, red onion has antibacterial and immune-supporting properties, therefore, in case of viral diseases, its use is possible. In addition, it tastes better and softer, allowing it to be eaten raw.

Application methods

The ways of using onions are varied - it is eaten, inhaled and laid out in slices around the room... Here are recipes that have been proven by generations to help fight colds.

Gruel

Finely Chopped Onions Relieve Inflammation, has a bactericidal and wound-healing effect, relieves pain and blocks the inflammatory process. To prepare the gruel, pass the onion through a meat grinder or chop it with a blender.

Application: treatment of abscesses, burns and purulent wounds.

Inhalation

Onions are good for the respiratory tract and mucous membranes... For inhalation, finely chop two large onions (you can pour boiling water over them) and place the gruel in a small container. The patient is recommended to inhale onion vapors for 10-15 minutes, covered with a towel.

Application: tonsillitis, flu, SARS, colds.

Drink

Onion juice will strengthen the immune system and help treat colds and flu... To prepare, chop the onion and strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Take juice 2-3 tablespoons with meals.

Application: prevention, treatment of herpes on the lips, strengthening the immune system, viral and colds.

Mix of onions and honey

Popular cough recipe – onion with honey... Onions (500 g) chopped with a blender or meat grinder are mixed with sugar (400 g) and honey (50 g). The mixture is put on fire and brought to a boil, stirring regularly. A tightly closed container and a cool place are suitable for storage. Apply half an hour before meals for 2 tbsp. l. three times a day.

Application: bronchitis and cough, tonsillitis.

Tincture on water

An onion and water drink has antiviral and immuno-strengthening effects... The chopped onion is poured with a glass of warm clean water and infused for 9-12 hours, and then filtered. The drug is taken on an empty stomach twice a day, 0.5 cups for 3 to 5 days.

Application: strengthening of immunity, acceleration of metabolism, helminths.

Milk tincture

Helper in the fight against viruses - onion and milk drink... The chopped onion is poured with a glass of milk and boiled for 15 minutes in a water bath, after which it is infused for an hour and filtered. The tool is used in 1 tbsp. l. every 3 hours.

Application: viral and colds.

Onion mustard plasters

Onion compress is a worthy alternative to traditional mustard plasters... The onion is cut into rings, garlic is added if desired, after which, before going to bed, the rings are applied to the feet and tightly fixed with warm socks. In the morning, the feet are rinsed with clean water.

Application: colds, liver disease.

Healing recipes for treating colds and flu from onions

Fresh onions are recommended for the treatment of colds and flu. During heat treatment, only a small fraction of nutrients remains. In addition to the above recipes there are several alternative methods of getting rid of the symptoms of the disease:

1. Strengthening immunity... The most important thing during illness is to help the body fight the virus. For this, immunizing agents will help - onion broth and juice, gruel. The vegetable can be added to salads, first and second courses for prophylaxis, to lay out the cut slices around the apartment - this will disinfect the room.
2. Cough... When coughing, effective remedies are inhalation and mixtures of onions with milk or honey. For dry cough, the following remedy is used: 7-10 chopped onions and a head of garlic is poured with milk and boiled until vegetables are softened. The broth is ground to a state of gruel, supplemented with mint oil and 2 tbsp. l. honey. Take it one spoonful every 2 hours.
3. Runny nose. Nasal congestion is considered one of the most unpleasant symptoms. Onion juice will help to cope with it - just drip it into the nose 3-5 times a day, 5 drops. Onion infusion is also used: chopped onions are placed in 30 g of boiled oil. Insist 2-3 hours, after which the nose is smeared with the resulting product.

Precautions

Despite all the beneficial properties of onions, use it with flu and ARVI with caution... Not recommended exceed doses and go overboard with onion-based products - like any product, overuse can do more harm than good.

Interesting. Onions were used as a medicine in ancient Greece.

For the prevention of diseases, it is recommended to eat onions in moderation., having previously consulted with your doctor.

Possible harm and contraindications

With uncontrolled use onion can exacerbate gastritis and ulcers, disrupt the work of the biliary tract... The product should be used with caution by people suffering from intestinal and stomach diseases, nervous irritability and pancreatitis. It is also no secret that after eating onions, communication can cause some discomfort.

It is not recommended to use onions for illnessx kidneys and liver, heart, gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus.

Be careful with individual onion recipes. (for example, with honey) and consult with a specialist about the intolerance of their individual components.

Doctor's advice and recommendations

Experts advise to consume the product in moderation during the season of viral diseases.... Due to the large amount of bioactive substances, trace elements and vitamins, it will help protect the body during an epidemic.

Doctors note that with dosed use of the product, a slight antiviral effect appears... But onions should be used only as an additional remedy to medicines.

His it is recommended to use not as a monoproduct, but as one of the ingredients in the composition... Its effect is enhanced by honey, milk and garlic.

Conclusion

With proper use and adherence to the recommendations, onions will help to avoid diseases during the epidemic season or significantly reduce the course of treatment. Due to the composition, rich in vitamins and useful elements, the product can become not only an addition to your favorite dishes, but also a prophylactic agent for many infectious diseases.