PDR for Herbal Medicines

558/ONION

Lipid and blood pressure lowering effect: Certain constitu-

ents function similarly to those in garlic, although this is not

yet clinically proven.

Inhibits thrombocyte aggregation: Dimethyl and diphenyl-

tiiiosulphinateboth retard thrombocyte biosynthesis using

thrombase stimulation.

Antiasthmatic and antiallergic effect: Guinea pigs sensitized

using ovalbumin were protected from asthma attack through

the oral administration of onion juice. Administration of an

ethanol onion extract significantly reduced allergy-induced

bronchial constriction in asthma patients.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Loss of appetite


• Arteriosclerosis


• Dyspeptic complaints


• Fevers and colds


• Cough/bronchitis


• Hypertension


• Tendency to infection


• Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx


• Common cold

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, the drug is administered

internally for cough, whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma

and angina. Onion has been used to stimulate gallbladder

functions, for digestive disorders with bloating and colic

pain, for dehydration, as an aid at the introduction of

menstruation. Onion is also used for ascariasis, high blood

pressure, arteriosclerosis and in the treatment of diabetes.

Externally the drug is used for insect bites, wounds, light

burns, fujjmcles, warts, and in the after-care of bruises.

Indian Medicine: t5nion preparations are*Used for dyspeptic

conditions, respiratory conditions, wounds, pain and for

malarial fever.

Chinese Medicine: Preparations are used for worm infesta-

tion, fungal and bacterial infections.

Homeopathic Uses: Allium cepa is used for acute inflamma-

tory' illnesses, pain syndrome, flatulent colic.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages. The intake of large quantities can lead to stomach
complaints. Frequent contact with the drug leads on rare
occasion to allergic reactions (hand eczema).

DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Cut onions, pressed juice from
fresh onions and other oral galenic preparations.

Preparation: Onion oil maceration: same as garlic macera-

tion drug extract 1:1.

Old recipe: Siripus Cepae: freshly grated onions 15 g; water

60 ml; ethanol 90% (\7V) 15 ml; saccharose 150 g; the

ethanolic extract is boiled with the saccharose.

Popular: pressed juice and onion syrup: made of 500 g

onions, 500 g water, 100 g honey and 350 g sugar.

Onion tincture: 100 g minced onions in 300 g ethanol 70%

macerated for 10 days.

Daily Dosage: Raw drug is used therapeutically.

Externally the juice is spread or laid on as a poultice or in

slices.

Internally: onion tincture 4 to 5 teaspoonfuls daily; onion

syrup 4 to 5 tablespoons daily.

Average daily dose: 50 g of fresh onions or 20 g of dried

drug.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet, 10 globules every 30

to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

Parenterally: 1 to 2 ml 3 times daily sc; Ointment 1 to 2

times daily (HAB1)

LITERATURE

Agarwal RH, Controlled trial of the effect of cycloalliin on the

fibrinolytic activity of venous blood. In: Atherosclerosis 27:347-

351. 
     
     
     
     1977. Augusti KT, Benaim ME, (1974) Clin Chim Acta 60:121.
           Augusti KT, (1976) Curr Sci 45:863.
           Dorsch W, et al., (1984) Eur J Pharmacol 107(1):17.
           Jain RC, Vyas CR, (1974) Brit Med J 2:73j3.
           Kabelik J, (1970) Pharmazie 25:266.
           Koch HP, Hormonwirkungen bei Allium-Arten. In: ZPT
           13(6): 177. 1992.
           Kumari K, Augusti KT, Antidiabetic effects of S-methylcystein
           sulphoxide on alloxan diabetes. In: PM 61(l):72-74. 1995.
           Liakopoulou-Kyriakides M, et al., (1985) Phytochemistry 24:
           600 and 1593.
           Maugh TH, (1979) Science 204:293.
           Spare CG, Virtanen Al, (1963) Acta Chem Scand 17:641.
           Tverskoy L, Dmetriev A, Kozlovsky A, Grodzinsky D, Two
           phytoalexins from Allium-cepa bulbs. In: PH 30:799. 1991.
           Vollhardt BR, Zwiebelolmazerat (z.B. Alligerol). In: Intern
           Praxis 32(1):201. 1992.
           Wagner H, Bayer Th, Dorsch W, Das antiasthmatische
           Wirkprinzip der Zwiebel (Allium cepa L.). In: ZPT 9(6): 165.
     
     
     
     


352. 
     

     Whitaker JR, (1976) Adv Food Res 22:73.
     Zwiebeln gegen Durchfall. In: Medical Tribune 14:26. 1993.