Onion the humble purififier

🧅 Onion — The Humble Purifier

Few kitchen staples have earned as much respect in old herbal lore as the onion. Beyond flavour, it has long been a protective ally — a natural purifier said to draw out toxins, balance the blood, and guard against disease.
From medieval Europe to modern folk medicine, onion has been used both as food and as medicine, often bridging the two worlds with its pungent, cleansing energy.

⚔️ A Protector Through Plague

During the Black Plague, families would hang sliced onions in rooms, believing the bulbs absorbed the “poisoned air.” While the science of germ theory didn’t exist yet, their observations weren’t unfounded.
Onion contains sulphur compounds — including allicin (also found in garlic) — that exhibit antimicrobial and antiviral activity. These compounds help purify the air and may have provided a degree of passive protection in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.

Folk stories tell of healers placing cut onions near sickbeds or carrying them in pockets for protection. Whether symbolic or physiological, this simple bulb became a symbol of resilience in times of disease.

💧 Absorber of Toxins and Venom

Onion’s ability to “draw out” toxins is more than myth.
When applied raw to bites, stings, or minor infections, the volatile oils and enzymes in the juice can pull fluid and irritants to the surface, helping reduce swelling and neutralise local toxins.
A freshly cut slice of onion, pressed to a bee sting or spider bite, has long been a folk remedy for quick relief — its sulphur compounds helping to break down venom proteins and calm inflammation.

The same principle underlies the tradition of placing onions on the soles of the feet or beside the bed during illness — an old-world attempt to absorb impurities and restore balance through gentle external detoxification.

🩸 Circulation, Immunity & Breath

Internally, onion acts as a circulatory stimulant, blood thinner, and immune modulator.
It gently encourages perspiration and lymphatic movement, helping the body release waste through its natural channels.
Modern studies have shown that quercetin, one of onion’s main flavonoids, supports capillary strength, antioxidant defence, and respiratory health — echoing its historic use against colds, coughs, and fevers.

🧴 Traditional Applications

  • Topical use: Raw slices for stings, inflammation, or minor skin irritations.

  • Respiratory steam: Boil chopped onion and inhale the vapour for sinus and lung support.

  • Immune tonic: Combine with honey and garlic for a traditional cold-season syrup.

  • Environmental cleanser: Place halved onions in rooms to absorb odours and airborne irritants.

⚠️ Important Notes

  • Onion is powerful yet gentle — but raw application may irritate sensitive skin.

  • Always use fresh, organic bulbs for topical use; avoid pre-cut or stored onions.

  • For internal cleansing, pair onion with garlic, turmeric, and parsley for synergistic detox support.

⚠️ Important Notes

  • Onion is powerful yet gentle — but raw application may irritate sensitive skin.

  • Always use fresh, organic bulbs for topical use; avoid pre-cut or stored onions.

  • For internal cleansing, pair onion with garlic, turmeric, and parsley for synergistic detox support.

  • Never store a cut or uncovered onion in the refrigerator. Once peeled or sliced, onions begin absorbing surrounding moisture and airborne compounds — including bacteria and odours — acting like a natural sponge. Consuming these later can introduce unwanted toxins back into the body rather than removing them. Always use freshly cut onion or store leftovers sealed in an airtight glass container.

🪶 Barb's Note

“There’s something quietly magical about an onion. It’s the kind of herb that doesn’t shout its power — it just works. Whether for a sting, a stuffy chest, or to clear a room, it feels like nature’s way of saying, ‘Here, I’ve got you covered.’”