Natural Cough Remedy: Onion Water
As we’re in the grips of germ season, I thought I would share a little natural cough remedy that has been used numerous times in the Chinese community, but not sure many of my English or Western friends know about. Usually when we’re ill or when our little ones have a cold and are coughing, they aren’t usually given any medication to make them feel better or shorten the recovery time. Even if we are, I’m sure many of us do not want to over rely on modern medicine. This is when the humble Onion is our star.
Benefits of Onion Water
Cough and cold prevention
Onions are packed with nutrients and especially high in Vitamin C which regulates our immune health and tissue repair. Additionally, onions has antibacterial properties that can fight dangerious bacteria such as E.Coli and inhibit the growth of certain bacterias.
Better heart health
Since onions contain a high concentration of quercetin, which is a flavonoid antioxidant that also possess antidiabetic effects. Studies have shown that with regular doses of quercetin-rich onions may help decrease heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Onions are powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients that you should start adding to your diet.
Give Onions a google and you will find that Shrek’s favourite food has an endless list of benefits!
Ingredients
- 1 Medium sized Onion
- Water
- 4 pieces of garlic or 1 Apple (Optional)
Instructions
- Peel onion.
- Cut onion into smaller pieces/slices and place into a bowl suitable for steaming.
- Add roughly 1.5 -2 cups of water to your pot/saucepan/steamer. DO NOT add any water to the onion.
- When the water starts boiling, place your bowl of onion into the pot and steam on medium to high heat for 30 minues. If you are using a large onion, increase the time to 45 mins or 1 hour - 1 hour 20 mins for 2 onions. Always check the water level in your pot/steamer so it doesn't dry out.
- Strain the onion water from the bowl.
- Your Natural Cough remedy is done! Bottoms up!
- *Optional: You can add garlic for added anti-inflammatory properties. Peel and cut in half or smaller pieces.
- *Optional: Other than garlic, you can also opt to add an apple. Warm liquids like apple juice work well to loosen mucus and relaxing the airway. It also adds a sweet element to the onion juice, although you will find that onions are already sweet themselves. Peel and chop the apple into small pieces.
Ingredients
- 1 Medium sized Onion
- Water
- 4 pieces of garlic or 1 Apple (Optional)
Instructions
- Peel onion.
- Cut onion into smaller pieces/slices and place into a bowl suitable for steaming.
- Add roughly 1.5 -2 cups of water to your pot/saucepan/steamer. DO NOT add any water to the onion.
- When the water starts boiling, place your bowl of onion into the pot and steam on medium to high heat for 30 minues. If you are using a large onion, increase the time to 45 mins or 1 hour - 1 hour 20 mins for 2 onions. Always check the water level in your pot/steamer so it doesn't dry out.
- Strain the onion water from the bowl.
- Your Natural Cough remedy is done! Bottoms up!
- *Optional: You can add garlic for added anti-inflammatory properties. Peel and cut in half or smaller pieces.
- *Optional: Other than garlic, you can also opt to add an apple. Warm liquids like apple juice work well to loosen mucus and relaxing the airway. It also adds a sweet element to the onion juice, although you will find that onions are already sweet themselves. Peel and chop the apple into small pieces.
How much onion water should I drink?
Onions are great for you, although too much of anything is not good either, so as not to irritate, please limit it to the following. If you’re using this as a cough/cold remedy, then I recommend that you have this 1-2 times a day roughly 1-2 hours after a meal. If your cough/cold is particularly bad, then you can have it 2-3 times a day for at least 3 days. After this, you can have it once a day until your cough/cold is completely gone.
Onion water for infants under the age of 2 should be limited (1-2 teaspoons a day) to avoid certain irritations to the respiratory tract during colds/cough. Additionally, if you suffer from digestive problems, please consult with your doctor or medical professional before starting. In general, we have found that after a few days of consuming onion water, our coughs and cold have hugely improved in comparison to not doing anything.
No waste
The steamed onion can be used in your cooking! I have often added this to stews and curries. 🙂
Disclaimer: I do not claim to heal in any shape or form. I am merely passing on some well known information and also what I have personally experienced. Therefore if you have a serious cough or illness, please do not delay in reaching out for professional medical attention.
Hope you have enjoyed reading this and let me know what your thoughts and experiences are with Onion Water! Have you got an alternative natural cough remedy? I would love to hear from you.
Until next time…
Love, MsMamaBean x
Reference:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19127724
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29567221
Comments
interesting. I use onions as a remedy for sore throats, they work brilliantly (that’s onion syrup, i.e. sugar that has drawn out all the goodness out of an onion over night) – not super pleasant but effective 🙂
I have heard of this remedy as well, tried it once and as you say doesn’t taste pleasant. Onion water tastes so much better 😝
Sounds much better than cough syrup that you purchase in the grocery store. Thank you for sharing!
Give it a go when you’re feeling a bit under the weather with the cold and see if it works any better! 😊
Thanks for sharing with the #DreamTeam hope to see you back next week
I have never heard of this and in the middle of the 3rd round of colds in our home, I am trying this today! Thank you so much! #dreamteam xoxo
Thanks! I hope this works for you and your family! 😊