Quick Fix: Onions For Cuts & Wounds

June 10, 2015

Quick-fix-to-chop-onions-without-shedding-tears — Quick Fix To Chop Onions Without Shedding Tears: Onions add just the right amount of flavor and nutrition to food and yet, we all dread the tears that go into chopping them. So what exactly causes us to tear-up while cutting onions and how do we prevent it?

Whether we cut our finger while chopping vegetables, burn our hand while straining spaghetti, or hurt our foot while exercising, wounds, cuts and scrapes are an inevitable part of everyday life.

Though deep cuts, which bleed profusely require immediate medical attention, a minor injury can be easily treated at home with some simple ingredients from your kitchen. One such everyday kitchen essential that could heal your wound faster is onion.

Onions: A Cut Above The Rest
Did you cut that finger while slicing an onion? If yes, then it would be a good idea to rub some if it on the wound as well. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties are similar to garlic, which is a known remedy for treating infections and wounds. ^[1] The thiosulfinates and cepaenes present in it combat inflammation and alleviate pain. ^[2]Onions also prevent dermal scar formation and help reduce their appearance. ^[3]

How To Use It

Crush an onion to make a coarse paste and add two to three drops of honey. Apply a generous amount of this paste on your cut to stop the bleeding.
For bigger wounds, make a thin paste by crushing half an onion in a blender. Add 1tsp honey and apply on the cut or sore. Wash it off after 40 minutes. Repeat three times a day for better results.

For more interesting stories, visit our Health page and read about other Natural Remedies here.

References:

1. Kohman EF. The Chemical Components of Onion Vapors Responsible for Wound-healing Qualities. Science. 1947 Dec 26;106(2765):625-7. PubMed PMID:17741548.

2. Dorsch W, Schneider E, Bayer T, Breu W, Wagner H. Anti-inflammatory effects of onions: inhibition of chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by thiosulfinates and cepaenes. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol. 1990;92(1):39-42.PubMed PMID: 2246074.

3. Draelos ZD, Baumann L, Fleischer AB Jr, Plaum S, Avakian EV, Hardas B. A new proprietary onion extract gel improves the appearance of new scars: a randomized, controlled, blinded-investigator study. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012 Jun;5(6):18-24. PubMed PMID: 22768353; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3390235.