Allium Cepa

Allium cepa

Origin
Native to the Northern Hemisphere, and cultivated for centuries in the Middle East. Now grown worldwide as a vegetable.

Background
Widely used in traditional medicine: as a poultice for chilblains, infections, and arthritis; internally for gastric and bronchial infections; and to thin and purify the blood.

Preparation
The whole, mature bulb is gathered in summer and chopped finely. It is steeped in alcohol for ten days and shaken repeatedly, before being filtered, diluted, and succussed.

Common Names
Onion.

Onion The antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties of this plant are used worldwide to treat colds, coughs, and influenza.

Key Symptoms

burning catarrh, bland discharge from the eyes, splitting sensation in the throat, phantom pains, person feels worse in warm rooms

In ancient Greece, the onion was esteemed and eaten in vast quantities. One of the oldest cultivated plants, its decongestant, diuretic, and other medicinal properties have been utilized by many cultures over the centuries. In the Middle Ages its strong smell was thought to prevent infection, and it was hung outside houses to ward off the plague. Onion causes the eyes and nose to water, and is used homeopathically to treat conditions that cause the same reaction in the body, such as colds and influenza. The remedy Allium cepa was proved in 1847 by Dr. Constantine Hering.

Remedy Profile

Melancholy, anxiety, fear of pain, and dullness of mind are not uncommon in individuals who respond well to Allium cepa, but there are no marked emotional symptoms indicative of the remedy.

Allium cepa is used primarily for the treatment of coughs and colds characterized by profuse, watery catarrh that leaves the skin irritated and sore. Symptoms usually develop following exposure to cold weather and damp winds. They may be associated with hay fever, especially if accompanied by sensitivity to the scent of flowers. Allium cepa is also used to treat burning neuralgic pain that alternates from one side of the body to the other.

Catarrh

Symptoms: Profuse, watery catarrh that burns the skin of the nose and upper lip, causing it to become raw, red, and painful. The nose may literally "drip like a faucet." Constant, violent sneezing is common, as is congestion that alternates between nostrils or affects only one nostril. Allium cepa is used for these symptoms in influenza, colds, and hay fever, but further remedies are needed to treat any actual susceptibility to hay fever itself.

Symptoms better: For being in the open air

Symptoms worse: For warm rooms; in the evening.

Eye irritation

Symptoms: An irritating discharge that causes an urge to rub the eyes. The eyes are red, swollen, and itchy, and possibly extremely sensitive to light.

Symptoms better: For being in the open air.

Symptoms worse: For warm rooms; in the evening; for rubbing the eyes; for coughing.

Throat & chest infections

Symptoms: Laryngitis with hoarseness and a raw, sore throat, or a cough characterized by a splitting, tearing sensation in the throat. There may be an urge to repress the cough, as it constantly irritates the throat. Pain may extend to the ear. Symptoms may develop rapidly on exposure to cold air, or after a cold accompanied by labored, wheezy breathing.

Symptoms better: For being in the open air.

Symptoms worse: For warm rooms; in the evening.

Neuralgic pains

Symptoms: Sharp, burning pain on alternating sides of the body, mainly in the face, head, neck, and chest. It may be due to an earache, headaches behind the brow, or a toothache in the molars. Allium cepa is also used for phantom limb pains after amputation.

Symptoms better: For being in the open air.

Symptoms worse: For being in a warm room.

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