Onion

[Chad]

What is the benefit of onion?

Onion is being used for centuries not just to add flavor to foods but also for its therapeutic properties. Onion have an antibacterial and antifungal properties. Some people mixed vinegar with onion juice and apply it in their freckles and warts, it is believed that it can remove/reduce this skin problems.
Nutritive Values of Onions : Per 100 gm.


Vitamin A : 50 I.U.
Vitamin B :
Vitamin C : 9 mg.
Calcium : 32 mg.
Phosphorus : 44 mg.
Potassium : 300 mg.
Carbohydrates : 10.3 gm.
Protein : 1.4 mg.
Calories : 45
Onion is Benenificial in the following conditions:


Asthma
Influenza
Colds
Tuberculosis
Insomnia
Pneumonia
Antiallergy
Obesity
Reduce inflammation
Slightly laxative
High Blood Pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Prolong longevity
Helps destroy worms and other parasites.
Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tube)
Neuritis (inflammation of the nerves)
Vertigo (inflammation of nerves)
Diuretic (increases the secretion of urine)
Diabetes mellitus - lowers blood sugar.
Valuable for the hair, nails of the fingers and toes, and for the eyes.
Sinus conditions - helps to drain mucus from the cavities and loosen phlegm.
Whether fresh or cooked onions have antiplatelet, adhesiveness, thus preventing thrombosis.

[Loup Solitaire]

What is the benefit of onion?

Onion is being used for centuries not just to add flavor to foods but also for its therapeutic properties. ..........
Nutritive Values of Onions : Per 100 gm.
.........
Potassium : 300 mg.

Wow! This is important to me. I never knew that and I thought I knew a lot about health foods. I have a chronic potassium shortage. I better stock up on Vidalia Onions. I understand according to Mario and others that Dr Dahesh used to consume onions like they were apples.

[Mario]

Here is how you store your onions:

According to I have witnessed, Doctor Dahesh would wrap (well) each (unopened or broken) onion using a sheet of newspaper (newsprint) and place it in refrigerator.

I've since slightly modified the storage technique by placing the wrapped onions in Tyvec® bags, which, incidentally, are great for storing Cheese. Just wrap your cheeze (loosely) in foil, and place in the tyvec bag. I lets it breathe and slows down the appearance of mold...

I've already written about this issue of "cutting versus smashing" the onion open... Basically, I have 2 highly credible sources with 2 diametrically opposed stories.

The fact remains that Doctor Dahesh ate onions that would be "smashed" open (using the power of the fist) versus being sliced with the knife.

While I've never personally heard Dr. Dahesh say anything pertaining to the "why" that was, I've certainly heard those closest to him say that smashing the onion had (allegedly... and I believed it...) the power to "Sanitize" the "spiritual" environment. In other words, and I don't know how to make it sound less comical (then again, come on... the things Sandrine and I say we have seen...) breaking or smashing the onion has the effect of purifying the "area" of bad spiritual fluids...

And furthermore, that the onion, once smashed, cannot remain uneaten for too long... Something having to do with the *fact* (or *myth*) that it acts like a "spiritual filter" ... basically, it absorbs and retains spiritual fluids from its immediate surroundings... Listen, I am not saying I am putting my rubber stamp on these statements, only that this is was I have heard.

On the other hand, and as I have reported, my brother Chucri, during a conversation ... more than 6 years ago, and after expressing mild shock (with a tinge of sarcasm) told me, in no uncertain terms, that none of that was true.

Now, this was circa 2000 or so... And just so that I was sure I wasn't dreaming when I saw people (including myself) break the onion for the Doctor, he did concur, that, yes, sometimes, the onion was broken.

All that aside: it is important to note that, yes, while Doctor Dahesh loved onions, he (and if need be) labored through the process of eating them sometimes, because...well, because sometimes, these were not *vidalia* onions... In fact, I have to go on record and state that I was never sure what type of onions they were. Except for the fact that they were of the white variety (I don't remember if the outer skin was white as well... for the most part, I just remember big onions with yellowish-ochre-ish outer layer. And sometimes they were hot.

But, first, let me just say that Doctor Dahesh ate the onion in small pieces: using his fingers, he would break off small chunks and eat. Typically... with everything... I mean, every meal was (basically) a reason to eat some onion. And, there were olives (black usually, the calamata type) and Feta Cheese, Pita Bread, and the small French style pickles (Cornichons) which are very acidic. And I'll come to my (theory on that later). Anyway, I would often seen the Doctor labor through a piece of onion (and, sometimes, Jalepenos... come to think of it... you know... the fresh kind) going "ouch, hot, hot"... and you could tell he was in pain, BUT, and here is the interesting part I would want any film director to pay attention to: always with a smile.

I never, not once, saw or heard the Doctor complain about having to eat an onion. He (despite the "sting" he would often experience) was always happy. It was a delight for him... Until he tried drinking (only once) onion juice... I'll never forget it: I was in Beirut, and he was telling a couple of visitors how he attempted to drink the juice of an Onion, but that it was not something was able to do, and that was the only time I saw him mix a slight grimace along with his jovial expression (because, in the final analysis, he was laughing about it... basically, an experiment that was utterly a disaster... and comical... I mean... come on... Onion juice...)

Now, why do I think he ate the pickles?

I think (and this is totally MY theory) he so in order to add acidity to the stomach.

Recently, I learned that when we experience acid reflux (or indigestion) that was due to a SHORTAGE of Acidity. When we have enough acid in the stomach, it closes up and digestion begins. In fact, it turned out that "Anti-Acids" were not such a good idea. So, I tested the claim I heard on PBS (by an M.D.) and, Lo and behold, she was right.

That M.D. said, "next time you feel indigestion or acid reflux, take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. If you feel better afterwards, that meant you needed acid in your stomach"

Well, I first have to warn anyone about ingesting apple cider vinegar... be careful, because THE FUMES will do a number on your throat... Anyway, once I recovered from THAT fiasco... I stuck to PICKLES, and even PICKLE WATER (go ahead, laugh! But let me tell you folks: you mix some picke water from a QUALITY pickle brand, such as "Mount Olive" with San Pelegrino, and you've the best remedy for indigestion (I have personally stumbled upon... And, hey, I dare you to mix it with YOGURT!

Anyway, "acidity" is actual good for the stomach (which incidentally, is filled with Acid that can melt metal... ) as far as digestion goes. Of course, with Ulcers... I don't know... then again, we cannot digest food without the acid. And neutralizing the acids with the sugars (and Onion are FILLED with them) we need that extra acidity to signal to the stomach to close up (otherwise, the stomach—not having enough acid—thinks that the digestive process has not yet begun, although it HAS, and that's why we get the reflux...)

Anyway, that is my **theory** on why Doctor Dahesh always (as far as I remember) had pickles with his meals.

Incidentally, if there are no pickles, I would recommend eating a salad (dressing: Vinegars/Lemon + Oil) at the end of the meal. But the dressing has to be acidic. If at night, preferable a mix of Balamic and Apple Cider Vinegar with Oil (because, I have heard that Vitamin C, which is abound in Lemon Juice, might prevent us from sleeping... and, sleep is important, and that, I have heard from the Doctor as well.)

[Chad]

Thats interesting, I even now use apple vinegar with my salads not too much of it and it give a nice taste, Even once i read an article about a group of British tourist were on a holiday in Mexico and they ate bad chunk of meat in a supposedly good restaurant and all of them got poisoned but 2 a husband and wife, after further examination they noted that these two use to have everyday apply vinegar which spared them from getting poisoned.

[Loup Solitaire]

Recently, I learned that when we experience acid reflux (or indigestion) that was due to a SHORTAGE of Acidity. When we have enough acid in the stomach, it closes up and digestion begins. In fact, it turned out that "Anti-Acids" were not such a good idea. So, I tested the claim I heard on PBS (by an M.D.) and, Lo and behold, she was right.

That M.D. said, "next time you feel indigestion or acid reflux, take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. If you feel better afterwards, that meant you needed acid in your stomach"

Well, I first have to warn anyone about ingesting apple cider vinegar... be careful, because THE FUMES will do a number on your throat...

I've had chronic reflux of the most persistent type for years. I don't classify what I have as typical acid reflux so I wouldn't pass judgment on your recommendation for all people. My reflux is so bad that my body has developed reflexes that hasn't been classified by science and occurs even though I'm sleeping or totally unaware of them. Tonight I was feeling some symptoms after eating so I thought I give your recommendation a little test. Unfortunately, I didn't have any apple cider vinegar, but I did have some white vinegar. I mixed it with a little water and sipped it. If gas had been the problem, I would have gotten instance relief. The salivary glands immediately went ballistic. The acid reflux problem did not get any worse. However, my chronic problem with constipation was immediately resolved. Thank you Mario.

[boxfox]

hey onion and pickle lovers,

i confess that ever since mario told me about how much pickle is good for the stomach, i keep jar of pickle in my fridge , it really helped me relaxing my stomach , actually i consider this year my healthy food education year , my house mate knows alot about herbs and this stuff , so he always perscribe medication for me in case my health turned bad , for example my coughing problem stopped when i started taking ginger and honey in a spoon once every day , it helps in almost everything.