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ONION (Allium Cepa)

Categories: Medical Uses of Some Common Household Articles

It is supposed that the onion is a native of
Hungary. It is now found over the whole civilized world. It contains a

white, acrid, volatile oil holding sulphur in solution, albumen, much

uncrystallizable sugar and mucilage, phosphoric acid both free and

combined with lime, citrate of lime. The Spanish onion contains a large

proportion of sulphur and thus may be satisfactorily used in those cases

where sulphur is needed. The action of the volatile oil enhances that of

sulphur. Spanish onion boiled and eaten freely at bed-time is an excellent

laxative. Moderately used the onion increases the appetite, promotes

digestion, but in large quantities it causes flatulence, uneasiness in the

stomach and bowels. The juice mixed with sugar is useful in cough, colds,

and croup where there is little inflammation. Roasted or split it is

excellent as a local application in croup, tonsilitis and earache. Boiling

deprives the onion of its essential oil.



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