Allium cepa or Sphaerocephalon
Botanical Nomenclature | Allium cepa or Sphaerocephalon |
Common Name | Bulb Onion |
Taxonomy- Family | Liliaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Allium cepa is an annual or biennial plant growing up to 0,5m, with long, green, spherical leaves and white or purple flowers. The flowering lasts from May to June and the harvesting takes place from June to August |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Bulb |
Active Substances | Flavones, vitamin A, B, C, alisin, sulphides, inulin, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, carbohydrates (69%), proteins |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has bactericide, bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, laxative and healing properties. Also, the herbal tea reduces the blood pressure and stimulates blood's formation in cases of severe anemia. In homeopathy, the plant is used for the treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders and facial neuralgia. In folk medicine the plant is administered in the form of syrup against sore throat and pharyngitis. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as bactericide, antihypertensive and diuretic in the form of herbal tea (3 spoons of dried bulb in a 1L of boiled water, 2-3 times daily). The essential oil from the fresh bulb is used in the form of inhalations for the treatment of the cold. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | No side effects are reported. |
References | 1) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 83 2) Keith I. Block, Charlotte Gyllenhaal, and Mark N. Mead, Safety and Efficacy of Herbal Sedatives in Cancer Care, Integr Cancer Ther June 2004 3: 128-148, doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 3)http://ict.sagepub.com/content/3/2/128.full.pdf+html 4)http://www.herballegacy.com/Peret_Medicinal.html 5)http://jocpr.com/second-issue/J.%20Chem.%20Pharm.%20Res.,2010,%202(1)%20283-291.pdf 6)http://health-from-nature.net/Onion.html |