Potential of onion (Allium cepa) as traditional therapeutic and functional food: An update

Abstract

The efforts to comprehend the ideal healthy state have invariably intrigued the minds of people which led to evolution of several treating and healing systems being established across the globe. Several folk and traditional medicines evolved among various cultures and communities that were generally disseminated verbally for example use of onion (Allium cepa L.) bulbs. Since antiquity, this bulbous crop is being used as a traditional nutraceutical and medicinal plant, that’s why, this is known as protective food. Onion is one of the most common vegetables utilized for culinary purpose in every kitchen. It is used to cure cold, flu, indigestion, pain relief, as an antidiabetics, anti-asthmatic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The ancient literature displayed the onion as an utmost important part of human diet due to its multidimensional uses for thousands of years. However, the masses are not aware about its importance as a traditional remedy. Now, the utmost focus has been directed towards the evaluation of the medicinal values of this interesting and fascinating vegetable crop. It can also be recommended that utilization of plant-based nutraceuticals is better than devouring synthetic drugs against known and specific diseases. Furthermore, various vegetables and fruits are being used as a part of many recommended dietetic plans to prevent and lessen the common metabolic and lifestyle related diseases. The 21st century is going to work on the principle of “Food as Medicine” and onion will surely play a bigger role in it. This thoroughly collected information about onion as traditional medicine is the first of its kind in disseminating information about the much consumed and less researched vegetable crop of India.

Genotypic variation in Na, K and their ratio in 45 commercial cultivars of Indian tropical onion: A pressing need to reduce hypertension among the population

“…Onions are recommended to lighten blood and lymph stagnation and to improve sexual debility or weakness. Regularly taken on an empty stomach, a mixture of white onion and honey was considered as an exceptional aphrodisiac tonic ( 11 ). Being the leading country in onion production, Indian farmers harvested 26.7 million tons from 1.4-million-hectares ( 12 ).…”

Mineral fertilizers for onions: a review

“…В отчетах других исследователей максимальная высота растения 41,8 см и наибольшее число листьев на растении были зарегистрированы при удобрении калием в дозе 175 кг/га K [95]. На почвах, удобренных достаточным количеством калия, в листьях лука происходило усиление фотосинтетической деятельности, повышалась ферментативная активность для синтеза белка и ускорялось перемещение ассимилятов.…”

“…Параметры урожайности лука, в основном длина луковицы, диаметр луковицы, сырая масса луковицы и выход товарных луковиц с гектара, в значительной степени зависят от дефицита и доступности минерального калия [84,87]. При оптимальном снабжении K отмечен больший диаметр, длина, сырая масса луковиц и максимальная урожайность с гектара [95,96]. При недостатке калия показатели урожайности и качество лука снижались [98,99].…”