Onion

Allium cepa

Other names: Onion

Edible plant

Georgian

Photo credit: Colin (Wikimedia Commons)

Safety information

Toxicity: Low as food; raw excess irritates GI/eyes.

Contraindications: High-acid GI states (raw); otherwise food-safe.

Interactions: Mild antiplatelet/hypoglycaemic at high intake - theoretical additive. (Safety gate.)

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Not noted.

Evidence level

Folk

Reported in folk medicine sources; not clinically validated. Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.

Preparations

syrup (boiled with sugar+honey) · bulb

Part used: bulb

Traditional use: expectoration(Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.)

Evidence:Folk

juice + honey · bulb

Part used: bulb

Traditional use: sclerosis/memory(Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.)

Evidence:Folk

baked/steamed · bulb

Part used: bulb

Traditional use: gastritis, ulcer, diabetes, anemia, TB, impotence (broad folk list)(Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.)

Evidence:Folk

with sugar/honey (sun-macerated) · bulb

Part used: bulb

Traditional use: asthmatic bronchitis, cough, shortness of breath(Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.)

Dosage note (descriptive only): 1 kg onion + 1 kg sugar, 2 weeks in sun, spoonful on empty stomach

Evidence:Folk

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

Cough Respiratory complaints (general)Dementia / cognitive decline

Edibility

Edible parts: Culinary staple (raw/cooked); green tops edible.

Toxic lookalike warning

Only relevant for wild Allium gathering (see ramsons); cultivated onion unambiguous.

Nutritional notes

Quercetin and other flavonoids, organosulfur compounds, vitamin C, prebiotic fructans.

Healing traditions

Georgian

Sources (1)

Keti 2018, "მედეადან დღემდე" (folk)

All sources →