The onion (Allium cepa) is no stranger to most people in the world. As a food ingredient it is easy to detect, and common to many cultures. Onions are similar to garlic in composition and use, as they are members of the same genus.
While onion is not as commonly used as garlic in supplements, can be found in products used for conditions mentioned below. Onion is usually found as a dried powder and not as an extract. Onion Oil can also be found for various purposes.
Among the more well known medicinal uses of onion are antihypercholesterolemia (lowering high cholesterol), hypoglycemic (lowering blood sugar) and as an antifungal. Other activities associated with onions are lowering blood pressure (via decreased platelet aggregation), general antibiotic activity and various conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.