Ayurveda Health Benefits and Uses of Onion

Ayurveda acharyas praise the benefits of onion in men health. They recommend this vegetable to increase sperm count and sperm motility

The herbaceous plant onion grows in temperate zones. It belongs to family “Liliaceae” and has latin name “Allium Cepa”. The plant reaches a height of 2-5 ft and bears cluster of greenish white flowers. Onions develop from the base of leaves to form underground bulbs. Seeds of onion are black in colour.

It is known by different names in India

Hindi – Piyaz, Pyaz
Kannada – Nirulli, Irulli
Bengali – Pyanj
Malayalam – Chuvannaulli
Telugu – Nirulli
Tamil – Vengayam
Punjabi– Ganda
Marathi – Konda
Gujarati – Dungali, Dungari, Kando

Ayurveda Medicinal Properties and Uses of Onion

Onion is known as Phalandu in Sanskrit. It is also known as ‘Yavanesta’ (the one which has come from west ), Durgandha, (It has offensive odor) , Mukha Dooshaka (which Causes bad breath)

The medicinal properties of onion are explained as follows

According to ayurveda onions are heavy to digest (guru) and slimy to touch (snigdha). They taste sweet (madhura rasa) and are pungent (katu ) to smell. They increase fire component of body (ushna veerya) and acquire sweet taste after digestion (madhura vipaka).Its seeds and fruit are used in ayurvedic preparations. This fruit balances Vata dosha, moderately increases Kapha dosha and does not have any effect on pitta dosha

Its medicinal properties and physical properties are explained in texts of ayurveda. Ayurveda acharyas have explained the uses of onion in various health conditions and have classified onions based on their colours. “Rakta phalandu” (Red coloured onion) and “shweta phalandu” (white coloured onion) are two varieties of onions.

The medicinal properties of Red onion

It is almost similar to garlic. Red Onion improves body strength and immunity, boosts quality and quantity of sperm and volume of semen, sets right digestion, nourishes 7 dhatus or tissues, enhances intelligence and memory power. Ayurveda acharyas recommend this variety in treating neurological pains, sciatica and osteo arthritis.

Medicinal value of white Onion

White onions are sweet to taste and little heavy to digest. They increase the moist content of tissues. This variety is used in ayurvedic preparations for bleeding disorders like nasal bleeding or haemorrhoids (piles).

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Health Benefits of onion seeds

Onion seeds are also known as Kalonji in India. These are used in cooking to enhance flavour of foods. These seeds are eulogised in ayurveda as –

Vrushya (aphrodisiac ):

They help to boost sexual function in men. Hence ayurveda vaidyas recommend these seeds in Impotence and oligospermia or Low sperm count.

Dantakeetajit (one which removes dental caries),

These seeds are recommended in dental caries. It helps to keep teeth healthy.

Pramehajit (urinary problems )

Kalonji is recommended in Cystitis, Urinary tract infection (UTI) and diabetes.

Health Benefits of Onion juice

For Skin :

Onion juice is praised by acharyas as ‘Snigdhangatva, Kantimata, Charma shuddhi , Varnakara” . It improves skin glow, skin texture and complexion. It also acts as excellent ayurvedic skin detox.

Strengthens body and calms mind

Juice of this vegetable is praised as balakara, gaurata, vahnirdeepti , ojaskara and soumanyasya . which implies that it improves appetite, boosts body strength and immunity . It also calms mind.

Ayurveda benefits and uses of Onion in different health conditions:

Onion normalizes vata and increases kapha and pitta. Hence it is used in diseases which occur due to vitiation of vata.

For Pain and Inflammation :

It acts as an anti inflammatory and reduces pain. Ayurvedic texts recommend its use in sciatica, arthritis and other diseases which involve bones, joints and peripheral nervous system. The poultice of onion and other herbs help to reduce swelling and pain in joints and hard abscess.

Helps to reduce blemishes:

Application of onion juice is recommended in pigments and dark spots which appear on face.

Ear ache and blurred vision

Use of Onion juice is recommended in ear pain and blurred vision.

Sets right Digestive problems

Onion help to rejuvenate liver, normalize digestion, relieve constipation and increase appetite. Hence it is very beneficial in piles (hemorrhoids) , constipation, jaundice and indigestion.

In bleeding disorders

White onions are recommended in bleeding disorders to reduce bleeding. Hence it is used in conditions like bleeding piles and bleeding through nose.

Cough and Cold Remedy

Onions are used in home remedies to reduce cough.

Onions for Men Health

Onion and its seeds are known to help in erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and male infertility. It helps to increase libido, quality and quantity of semen. It is a very good vajikarana food.

Onion for Skin and Hair

It helps to reduce itching on skin. Its juice helps to reduce acne, pimple, blemishes and also aid in hair growth.

Is Onion a Tamas Food ?

As onions increase rajas and tamas of mind , it masks analyzing capacity, intelligence and grasping power. But health benefits of palandu are so many the tamas increasing quality of this vegetable can be neglected. People who are on strict spiritual path can keep onions at bay.

Also Read Ayurveda Home Remedies with Onion