Allii cepae bulbi

Ovary, edible part of the kitchen onion.

No pharmacopoeial quality description

HMPC: monograph has been rejected

ESCOP: not yet processed.
Commission E-monograph: for loss of appetite and for the prevention of age-related vascular changes.

Empirical medicine: catarrh of the respiratory tract, colds, sore throat, cough, flu, colds, earache, otitis media, ringing in the ears, prevention of age-related vasoconstriction. Digestive complaints. see also under area of application/use.

Studies indicate significant improvement in metabolic syndrome: weight reduction, BMI, body fat percentage, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (Hejazi N et al. 2023).

Also used externally in studies for alopecia areata (Sharrquie et al. 2002) and for scars (Draelos ZD et al. 2008).

Ingredients: essential oil, alliin, allicin, propanthial oxide (responsible for eye watering), flavonoids.

Biologically, the genus Allium is divided into two varieties, Var. cepa, the edible onion, and Var. ascalonicum Baker, the shallot. Other important vegetable species of the genus Allium are garlic, leek, chives and wild garlic as an intermediate and wild form. In naturopathy, the kitchen onion is traded as a universal remedy. Its essential oils have a strong antibacterial and disinfecting effect, antiphlogistic and pain-relieving.

Antibacterial, antiasthmatic, antiallergic, inhibition of platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, also anti-carcinogenic properties. Recent studies indicate osteoporosis-inhibiting, antihypertensive, antispasmodic, antidiarrheal, neuroprotective, antiasthmatic and diuretic effects (Kianian F et al. 2021).

Shredded onions, pressed juice of fresh onions or ready-made medicines to take orally.

Onion pouches: Onion pouches are used for earache. To do this, heat a large chopped onion in a pan, place in a small bag or large handkerchief and place on the ear and/or behind the ear as a compress.

Onion slice: A slice of fresh onion can help with insect bites (see bee stings below). It is therefore advisable to take a small onion with you when hiking.

Onion gruel: For boils and abscesses, chop up a raw onion with a hand blender, mix with water to make a gruel and place on the affected area.

The disinfectant effect of onions and onion juice is often used in naturopathy, e.g. for colds, against coughs, to ward off infections, for small wounds and insect bites.

The improvement in scarring was demonstrated in a clinical study on 59 patients.

Alopecia areata

Onion extracts and their use in cosmetic preparations

Allium cepa bulb extract (INCI): Extract from the bulbs of the kitchen onion. Cosmetic effect: skin caring

Alium cepa root extract (INCI): Extract from the roots of the onion. Cosmetic effect: antioxidant

Allium chinense bulb extract (INCI): Extract from the bulbs of Allium chinense. Cosmetic effect: skin caring

Allium fistulosum root extract (INCI): Extract from the roots of the winter onion. Cosmetic effect: antioxidant

Allium fistulosum bulb extract (INCI): Extract from the bulbs of the kitchen onion. Cosmetic effect: skin caring

Cough, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, for flatulence

Onion extract is contained in ^{Contractubex®} Gel, for example.

All onions contain allicin, a sulphur-containing essential oil that is responsible for the natural antibiotic effect of kitchen onions. The following ingredients have also been identified: glutamyl peptides, alliin and derivatives such as cycloalliin, methylalliin, dihydroalliin; also vitamin C (only raw), potassium, calcium and phosphorus, sodium and iron.

Alliin and its derivatives yield thiosulfinic acid esters and cepaene upon enzymatic hydrolysis (in the case of tissue injuries), as well as thiopropionaldehyde S-oxide (CH3-CH2-CH=SO), the substance that irritates tears.

1. Ammon H et al (2014). Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary. Walter de Gruyter GmbH Berlin/Boston S 247
2. Sharrquie et al. (2002) Onion (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata. J. Dermatol; 29: 343-346
3. Draelos ZD et al. (2008) The ability of onion extract gel to improve the cosmetic appearance of postsurgical scars. J Cosm Dermatol 7: 101-104
4. Griffiths G et al. (2002) Onions--a global benefit to health. Phytother Res.;16(7):603-15. doi: 10.1002/ptr.1222. PMID: 12410539.
5. Kianian F et al. (2021) Pharmacological Properties of Allium cepa, Preclinical and Clinical Evidences; A Review. Iran J Pharm Res; 20(2):107-134. doi: 10.22037/ijpr.2020.112781.13946. PMID: 34567150; PMCID: PMC8457748.
6. Hejazi N et al. (2023) Onion supplementation and health metabolic parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr ESPEN;58:1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.08.032. Epub 2023 Aug 30. PMID: 38056991.