Have you heard about onion tea? This natural drink is the secret of many people to stay super healthy and solve a lot of health problems without having to take common medications. Discover here the properties, benefits and how to prepare this tea.
But first of all, you need to understand that onion is a natural bulb-type food. Its scientific name is Allium cepa. Some books and studies estimate that onions have been consumed for over 4,000 years. It is also calculated, proven by historical records, that the first medicinal uses of the onion were made by the Egyptians.
Regarding the taste of the onion, it’s a taste criterion. There are people who love and others who hate. But, what no one can deny is that this is a food rich in health benefits. This wealth is irrefutable!
In this article you will learn all about onion tea. It is a natural drink that transfers the benefits of the plant to the infusion liquid. With the use of this tea, it is possible to obtain several incredible medicinal abilities. Check it out below!
Table of Contents
Benefits and properties of onion tea
Onion itself is a food rich in beneficial properties for health and well-being. And when it comes to onion tea, the medicinal properties can be best exploited. See the benefits of onion tea:
- Rich in healthy nutrients
- It is a natural expectorant
- helps to lose weight
- Acts as a natural laxative
- It’s anti-inflammatory
- it’s diuretic
- Helps balance glucose levels
- fights cancer
- It is a natural source of selenium.
Learn more about the benefits
In addition to its use in cooking, where it serves as a seasoning for a large number of foods, recipes, salads, etc., onion can also be used as a medicinal product of alternative science. Onion tea is a drink that reflects this ability.
Onion tea can be used by natural medicine in many ways, from an expectorant to a strong cancer-inhibiting remedy. Furthermore, studies prove other medicinal effects of this tea, such as laxative, anti-inflammatory, carminative and diuretic.
Below, see a little about each of the benefits proven by science and be amazed by the enormous potential of onions and their tea!
Rich in healthy nutrients
Onions have some important vitamins for maintaining good health. Among the main vitamins present in the composition of onions, we can highlight vitamin B9 ( folic acid ), C, A and choline, a vitamin of the B complex.
It contains many mineral salts such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sodium . All of these are essential for healthy living. For all this composition, the tea of this plant has several beneficial properties to health. Its daily use is considered to prevent various illnesses and discomforts.
Many healthy people in the world have a habit of constantly consuming onion tea. This ends up helping to improve metabolism , prevent serious illnesses and generate a feeling of well-being.
It is a natural expectorant
Have you ever heard about onion syrup or onion water? These are natural alternative medicine recipes used primarily as an expectorant. Onion tea also has this potential, especially in combating bronchitis, chronic catarrh, and bronchial secretions.
In addition to these benefits, onion tea is useful in the treatment of cough, phlegm accumulation, hoarseness and mucus in general. So, if the flu or a cough with secretion has appeared, it’s better to start making some onion tea to send the phlegm away.
Although natural, onion tea is a very potent expectorant. If you don’t believe it, make some tea and see for yourself. This drink has vitamin C , which can also help fight colds and flu , in addition to the phlegm they can bring.
Helps to lose weight
When it comes to losing weight, the onion can be a great ally. Onion tea is a tea that has very few calories and promotes satiety. It is a great option for those on a slimming diet.
A whole onion has between 50 to 60 calories. If this is not enough, imagine the tea made with this bulb. Both the tea made from onions and the infusion of the skin are natural drinks with very low calorie content.
In addition, the properties of onion promote improved bowel function. By combating constipation and gas, tea deflates the abdominal region . This is recommended for those looking to lose measurements in this region of the body.
As if all this were not enough, the onion still has a diuretic action. This means that it increases the flow of urine and helps the body to eliminate retained fluid, which also reduces measures and promotes well-being.
Acts as a natural laxative
As mentioned earlier, onion tea has a mild natural laxative effect. Its consumption helps the intestine to regulate its functions, preventing the known constipation .
This action is due to its soluble fiber, a substance known as fructane. Upon reaching the intestine, fructan turns into a kind of gel that converts to fatty acids. These acids stimulate bowel movements, improving flora and local health.
It is a highly recommended option to combat constipation caused by stress or trauma (physical and psychological). There are no contraindications in this case.
It’s anti-inflammatory
Onion has sulfur compounds and antioxidants among its properties. They help fight and prevent inflammation throughout the body, whatever the type of inflammation.
Therefore, consuming onion tea constantly can prevent pain and inflammatory diseases. In addition, drinking this infusion can relieve pain in the joints, shoulders and lower back, if these pains are caused by inflammatory conditions.
The anti-inflammatory action of foods of this type can serve as an aid in the treatment of ulcers and inflammation of any kind. Therefore, it helps treating skin, brain, throat, bone, stomach , kidney and bowel problems.
it’s diuretic
Onion tea is a diuretic drink. We talked a little about this effect above, but now let’s specify this benefit. A diuretic and depurative drink , which helps the urinary system, helps in the elimination of toxins and retained fluids, improving the functioning of the kidneys.
It is essential in cases of fluid retention, urinary infection and recovery of urine quality. It enhances treatments to combat the aforementioned problems.
Helps balance glucose levels
Some studies indicate that onions are able to stabilize blood glucose, which is very beneficial for patients with diabetes. This potential is due to the presence of inulin in its composition.
Inulin is a complex carbohydrate that should not be confused with insulin, although both act on glucose in the body. Inulin belongs to the fructans class and is present in onion roots.
It has properties similar to those of soluble fibers, which are able to balance the blood glucose level and reduce circulating lipids. Furthermore, its consumption significantly increases calcium absorption in girls and women.
As this property is present in onion roots, obviously the roots need to be included in tea production. Therefore, wash them before using.
Fights cancer
Yes, onion tea can fight and inhibit various types of cancer, as shown by a study by the National Cancer Institute. In fact, the article states that the true natural medicine is diallylsulfide, present in vegetables of the allium genus (onions, garlic, leeks, chives and others).
Among the types of cancer that can be treated with onions and their naturally-derived medicines is breast cancer. This disease is responsible for the death of countless women around the world every year.
Diallylsulfide is a substance that has direct action on cancer cells and tumors, but this feat is still being studied. Although proven, medicine is still trying to find out how its anticancer action works. It is believed that the mechanisms act to inhibit tumorigenesis through their relationship with the ability to excrete carcinogenic products.
It is a natural source of selenium.
Last but not least, onions (as well as your tea) are natural sources of selenium, an important mineral salt for the prevention of many serious diseases. Studies claim that the lack of selenium in the body can lead to cataracts, muscular dystrophy, depression, infertility, heart disease, cancer and kidney problems in humans.
Selenium is an important nutrient for anyone who wants to live a healthy life. It protects the body from aging-related chronic diseases such as arthritis, cirrhosis, emphysema, and circulatory diseases.
Does tea have the same benefits as raw onions?
Onion tea (as well as onion juice, syrup and water) has very effective curative and preventive powers. Of course, it does not contain, in quantity, the same properties as the raw vegetable. For example, between a sip of tea and a bite of raw onion, of course the nutrient intake is different.
Tea is a natural recipe that transfers most of the benefits of onion to water through the brewing process. Therefore, the benefits of raw onion are in the tea, which prevents the patient from having to consume the onion in natura.
Differences between white and red onion
Of the various types of onion that exist, two are the most famous in Brazil: the white onion and the purple onion. But do you know the difference between the two? Find out here!
First, red onion is more caloric, although it tastes milder and sweeter than its sister. The properties that give color and sweetness to red onion are also responsible for it being more caloric. However, it’s not a big difference.
Red onion is richer in beta-carotene, which fights cell aging. On the other hand, white onions have more calcium, which contributes to the health of bones and some organs.
How to prepare tea
This infusion can be prepared with pieces of the vegetable, with the bark or with the roots. In some recipes, specific benefits arise. See the three ways of preparation and choose the best one, the effects of all are practically the same!
Onion Tea Recipe
- Peel half an onion and cut into slices (onion rings)
- Put 1 cup of water on the fire until it boils
- Once it reaches a boil, add the onion, stir and leave for 5 minutes
- Then turn off the heat and leave covered for another 2 minutes
- Strain, sweeten with 1 teaspoon of honey and drink warm.
This is the traditional version of tea. Contains all the properties and benefits mentioned in this article. It can be consumed up to 3 times a day in cases of secretions or treatments. In other cases, to prevent diseases, 1 cup a day is recommended.
Onion Skin Tea Recipe
- Peel off a large onion and wash them under running water.
- In a pot or teapot, boil 1 cup of water
- When it comes to a boil, add the skins and leave for 10 minutes
- After that, turn off the heat, strain and sweeten with 1 teaspoon of honey.
Onion skins have the same nutrients as onion, as it is a bulb-type vegetable. Take 3 times a day in case of treatment of any illness. If using preventively, 1 cup a day is sufficient.
Onion Root Tea Recipe
- Remove the roots from two medium onions and wash them under running water.
- Bring 1 cup of water to the fire and wait for it to boil
- When it comes to a boil, add the roots and leave for 10 minutes
- Then cover and leave for another 5 minutes
- Strain and sweeten with honey.
Onion roots contain the substance that helps control blood glucose. However, it also brings the other medicinal properties of the vegetable.
Precautions
Onion tea has no contraindications, but there are some important precautions. The first one has to do with sensitive stomachs. This means that people with difficulty digesting food or gastric problems may experience mild pain and discomfort when consuming onion tea.
Excessive use of this drink can also cause nausea and gastric irritation, so it should be consumed without exaggeration. In addition, this tea can generate gas and flatulence, depending on the consumer’s diet.
In pregnant and lactating women, drinking more than one cup of tea a day can lead to heartburn and stomach discomfort. Therefore, it is better to discontinue the use of onion tea during these periods, even if the patient wants to enjoy the properties and benefits of this infusion.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.