Every gardener has a love-hate relationship with the onion. I’ve been gardening for well over a decade, and I just recently learned that I can plant my onion seeds or onion starts in the fall so that I have a spring harvest. Most gardeners start their seeds and plant their starts in the early spring in order to reap a summer or fall harvest.
While most of America sees the onion as just a flavor enhancer for their weeknight dinner, the mighty onion can be used for quite a few things more than just food. Throughout history, onion (Allium cepa) has been used medicinally. Maybe because most people had it readily on hand. Or maybe most people had it readily on hand because of its useful medicinal actions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Onion contains sulphur compounds that break down mucus membranes in the body, which explains both why cutting onions causes tears and why they are effective for respiratory conditions.
- Raw onion combined with raw honey creates a natural cough syrup through a simple extraction process that takes 3-24 hours to produce a thin medicinal syrup.
- Warm or slightly cooked onion applied topically draws infection to the surface and provides relief for earaches, boils, and cysts within 24 hours.
- European herbalists historically recognized onion’s antiseptic and diuretic properties, and Germany has approved it for limited treatment of arterial hardening and plaque buildup.
- The medicinal effectiveness of onion depends on whether it is used raw or warmed, as each preparation method produces different therapeutic actions in the body.
Medicinal History of the Onion
Historically, European herbalists saw that onion had antiseptic and diuretic properties (Grieve, 1979). In Germany it has been approved for a limited treatment of the hardening of arteries and plaque build up. Of course, we now know that the hardening of arteries and plaque build up come from the breaking down of your artery walls. Cholesterol build up is actually the body’s process of trying to plug those holes so that you don’t bleed out. Therefore, doing a good job of keeping you alive while you abuse your body. But that’s another topic for another day.
Onion has also been historically cooked in milk and eaten in order to clear congestion in the lungs (Shultz et al., 1998). In fact, it’s used a lot for respiratory issues throughout history.
Home Remedies with Onion
The home remedy of raw and warm/cooked onions are a bit different. They have a few different actions whether the onion is raw or warmed (though not completely cooked).
Earache
I personally like to use garlic oil for earaches, but sometimes—especially in babies—it can be difficult or too warm. Warming up an onion, or cooking it just slightly, wrapping it in a very thin cloth, and then placing it on the ear will help soothe the earache and naturally remedy the infection.
Sometimes the body will naturally “rupture” the thin eardrum to release infection. This can happen with any ear infection, even with antibiotics. So small, in fact, that you don’t even know your eardrum has ruptured. This is typically what happens when the body naturally creates that hole.
However, if you were to stick something in your ear that causes a rupture, it will absolutely hurt. For this reason, of some smaller children, it may be more efficient to use the onion instead of the garlic oil. Their eardrums are much smaller and already have quite a bit of pressure behind them with the infection.
The ear infection should clear on its own in three days, but relief will begin almost immediately when using the onion every few hours.
Boils & Cysts
Boils and cysts under the skin are very painful. The quickest way to feel relief is for them to rupture, however, that process can take three to seven days before it fully happens. Even then, some boils and cysts don’t rupture all the way.
We use a warm onion on the cyst or boil to help draw the infection and bring it to a head more quickly. In the meantime, it also has a soothing effect on the skin.
Place the onion on the infected area, wrap it, and wear it overnight. Within 24-hours or so, the infected area will come to a head. You can remove the onion and allow the boil or cyst to drain completely.
Follow up with a natural antiseptic and healing salve, such as oregano, tea tree, calendula, or lavender.
Coughs
One of the most simple remedies in the home herbalist’s medicine cabinet is an onion and raw honey. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this simple cough syrup with extremely efficient effects.
Raw Onion & Honey Cough Syrup
In a glass jar, place a thinly sliced raw onion. Cover the slices completely with raw honey—just enough to cover the slices. Shake well and allow to sit for several hours.
After three hours you’ll see a thin syrup creating. Once you see this, you can use it. However, for the most efficiency, wait 24 hours.
Strain the onion from the honey, and store in the fridge (in an airtight jar) indefinitely.
Raw Onion on the Feet
While the raw onion and honey works great during the day, a better option at night is raw onion on the bottom of the feet.
Take an entire raw onion and again, cut into slices (though they don’t have to be as thin this time). Place half of the onion on a cloth, towel, or wool cloth. Wrap it with plastic wrap, or simply place a sock on the foot after you’ve placed the onion and cloth on the bottom of the foot. Do this for both feet and leave on all night long. This will help suppress the cough at night.
“Compounds from onion have been reported to have a range of health benefits which include anticarcinogenic properties, antiplatelet activity, antithrombotic activity, antiasthmatic and antibiotic effects.”
Onions—A global benefit to health — Gareth Griffiths; et al.
Sore Throat
I’ll admit, onion is not my goto for a sore throat. However, it can help with a sore throat. The same practice applies when using the onion. Often times, onion must touch the area that is affected, as with many other herbs.
Simple wrap raw onion slices in a cloth and place directly on the sore area for at least 4 or 5 hours. Overnight is best. It helps many people, but there are others who say it simply doesn’t work. A sore throat is a difficult thing to remedy without figuring out the root cause.
Often times my go-to for a sore throat is a sage and cayenne gargle first, then followed by the onion if necessary.
The 24-Hour Extraction Timeline: Why Your Onion Honey Syrup Gets More Potent With Time
Everyone shares the recipe for onion and honey cough syrup, but almost no one explains the extraction chemistry happening hour-by-hour—or why waiting the full 24 hours dramatically increases effectiveness.
The Hour-by-Hour Extraction Process
Hour 0-1: Initial Contact
Raw honey begins drawing moisture and water-soluble compounds from onion cells through osmotic pressure. Nothing visible happens yet.
Hour 3: First Visible Syrup
A thin liquid layer appears at the bottom of the jar. This is mostly onion juice pulled out by the honey’s hygroscopic properties. The sulphur compounds are beginning to concentrate. This mixture is usable but weak.
Hour 6-12: Deep Compound Extraction
The honey continues pulling out deeper medicinal compounds including quercetin, organic sulphur compounds, and volatile oils. The syrup thickens and becomes cloudy. Potency increases significantly.
Hour 24: Maximum Extraction
The onion slices look shriveled and dry because the honey has pulled out nearly all extractable compounds. The resulting syrup contains the highest concentration of:
• Sulphur compounds (mucus-breaking)
• Quercetin (anti-inflammatory)
• Antimicrobial compounds
• Soothing honey enzymes
Daytime vs. Nighttime Applications
For Daytime Coughing:
Use the extracted honey syrup internally (1 tsp every 2-3 hours) to break up chest congestion and suppress cough
For Nighttime Coughing:
Fresh raw onion slices on the feet work better because:
• The sulphur compounds absorb through foot skin throughout the night
• No need to wake to take doses
• Provides 6-8 hours of continuous mucus-breaking action
• Thick sock or plastic wrap keeps onion in placet
Strained onion honey syrup stores “indefinitely” in the refrigerator because:
• Raw honey is naturally antimicrobial (bacteria cannot grow)
• The extracted sulphur compounds remain stable in cold storage
• No fermentation occurs due to honey’s low water activity
• The jar remains effective for months, making it worth preparing in larger batches
Onion and Mucus Membranes
We’ve talked specifically about cough, sore throat, and skin issues when it comes to the home remedy of onion. But why does it work? What’s so special about the onion? Once you know the “why”, you’ll never forget it. And even find more ways to use it.
1For starters, the onion has the ability to break down the mucus membranes in your body. This is abundantly evident when you cut an onion and you begin to cry. This is because onions are full of sulphur. Sulphur is what is released into the air, therefore causing the reaction in your mucus membranes.
Have you ever wondered why mustard gas causes people to have profuse drainage from the eyes, mouth, and nose when they come into contact with it? It’s because of sulphur (on a more extreme level, of course).
The same is true for the sulphur in onions. Because there are sulphuric properties in the onion, it does an incredible job at breaking down mucus membranes in the body. Hence, why it’s fabulous for coughs and colds. You just have to find the right dose for yourself or your loved one.
Likewise, it helps to gently break through barriers, such as the ear drum for ear infections, and the skin and lining of the boil and cyst.
How Sulphur Compounds Break Down Different Body Barriers
| Body Barrier Type | How Sulphur Affects It | Medicinal Application |
|---|---|---|
| Eye mucus membranes | Immediate breakdown causing tears | Demonstrates potency of compound |
| Lung mucus | Thins and mobilizes congestion | Cough and cold remedies |
| Eardrum membrane | Gently penetrates to reach infection | Ear infection treatment |
| Skin and boil lining | Breaks through to draw infection out | Boils and cysts |
| Sinus passages | Clears blocked mucus membranes | Respiratory relief |
Moral of the story…
The next time you’re looking at that onion thinking it’s only good for eating and seasoning, realize that you have a master medicinal plant right in your very own kitchen. One that has been used for, literally, centuries. A commonplace that can be grown right in your very own garden bed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cooked onion instead of raw onion for making cough syrup?
No, cooking the onion before combining it with honey significantly reduces the medicinal sulphur compounds that make the remedy effective. The raw honey extraction method preserves these volatile compounds. If you need a cooked preparation, use the onion-in-milk method that European herbalists traditionally employed for lung congestion instead.
How do I know if my child’s eardrum has already ruptured before using onion?
Look for any drainage coming from the ear canal—this indicates a rupture has already occurred. In this case, the external onion application is actually the safest option since nothing enters the ear canal. The warm onion placed on the outside of the ear will still provide relief and help fight the infection without risk of further damage.
Will the onion smell on my feet transfer to my breath or body odor?
The sulphur compounds do absorb through the skin and can be detected on the breath the next morning, which actually confirms the remedy is working systemically. The odor is temporary and fades within a few hours after removing the onion. Many people consider this a worthwhile trade-off for nighttime cough suppression, especially in children who sleep better without interruption.
Can I reuse the onion slices after making the honey syrup extraction?
No, the shriveled onion slices after 24 hours of honey extraction have had most of their medicinal compounds pulled out and should be composted. The therapeutic value is now concentrated in the strained honey syrup. However, you can save the syrup in the refrigerator for months and use it repeatedly for future coughs and colds.
What natural antiseptic salves work best after a boil drains from onion treatment?
Oregano, tea tree, calendula, or lavender salves all provide excellent antiseptic and healing properties for the post-drainage phase. Each has slightly different strengths: oregano and tea tree are more powerfully antimicrobial, while calendula and lavender offer gentler healing with less irritation for sensitive skin. Choose based on skin sensitivity and which herbs you have available in your home apothecary.
MOST IMPORTANT INSIGHTS TO REMEMBER
#1 Sulphur compounds in onion break down mucus membranes throughout the body, which is why the same plant that makes you cry when cutting it can also clear lung congestion, penetrate ear infections, and draw out boils—the mechanism is identical across all applications.
#2 Raw versus warm onion preparations produce distinctly different medicinal actions, with raw onion providing maximum compound extraction for internal use and warm onion offering gentler, soothing penetration for external applications on sensitive areas like ears and skin.
#3 The 24-hour extraction period for onion honey syrup dramatically increases potency compared to the minimally effective 3-hour syrup, as the extended time allows honey to pull out deeper medicinal compounds including quercetin, organic sulphur, and volatile oils.
#4 External onion application on the ear is mechanically safer than liquid remedies for babies because infant eardrums are smaller, under more pressure during infection, and may already have microscopic perforations that make inserted liquids risky.
#5 Understanding that onion literally dissolves barriers in the body explains proper dosing—too little exposure won’t break through congestion, while too much can be overly aggressive, which is why cloth wrapping, warming techniques, and timed applications control the intensity of the remedy.
