31 Days of Raw: Day 11 - Green Onions (Scallions)

31 Days of Raw : Day 11
Green Onions (Scallions)

Again, I'm attempting to choose produce that is in season during the month of October.  This means that if you visit a farmer's market this month (there's an incredible one this Saturday that I'll be at), you'll be able to choose the fruits and veggies in this blog. Green Onions are lots of fun.  They have all the yummy onion taste and health benefits, but are also green so you get all the incredible chlorophyl and health benefits of that as well.  They also add a wonderful mexican onion flavor to any dish and since they don't make me tear up..are my onions of choice. Most of my recipes call for green onions, but any onions will do - depending on your tastes.  Red onion would have to be my second favorite, but I have to be careful cutting them, so they are a delicious rarity. So why do I enjoy green onions so much?  First, they add an incredible taste to many dishes, but they are also wonderfully good for you, as well as having medicinal properties!  While researching for tonight's article...I found some easy medical uses that I will even try tonight when I go to bed!  And, of course, enjoy the recipe at the bottom of this post.  I'm praying everyone is reading the health benefits, not just scrolling down to the bottom to get the good stuff. ;)

Scallions (Green Onions)

Protect from and Cure Cold/Flu
Spring onions have long been recognized by ancient healing traditions for their unique curative properties. Chinese medicine practitioners used them to cure sinus infections, believing them to be more beneficial than other onions for this particular ailment. Their efficacy for such infections could be due to the onion's antibacterial properties. The quercitin and vitamin C in onions work synergistically to kill harmful bacteria, making them an excellent remedy for cold and flu sufferers or those staving off digestive discomforts.

Cardiovascular Health
Onions' role in cardiovascular health is well documented. The sulfur compounds in onions can lower blood pressure and reduce risk factors for coronary heart disease including platelet aggregation and oxidation of cholesterol. Onions' store of chromium is a boon for those with diabetic conditions. It can help keep blood sugar levels in check, improve glucose tolerance, and decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides in patients with diabetes.

Diabetes & Cholesterol
The Allyl propyl found in green onions lowers blood glucose levels and adds to the amount of free insulin in the body. The chromium in green onions helps regulate blood sugar, which benefits overall health. Recent scientific studies reveal that chromium can lower levels of insulin, increase glucose tolerance and reduce fasting glucose levels. Chromium is also shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing the "good" HDL cholesterol levels.The chromium in green onions along with sulfur and vitamin B6 provide heart healthy benefits. Onions can lower both cholesterol and blood pressure, which will reduce the risk of heart attack atherosclerosis, stroke and diabetic heart disease. Research reveals that foods rich in flavonoids such as onions, apples, broccoli and tea may reduce the chances of developing heart disease by 20 percent.

Cancer Prevention and Cure
The flavonoids in green onions also benefit health by preventing certain cancers from developing. Eating onions two times a week has been shown to reduce colon cancer. Quercitin, a flavonoid in green onions, will slow the formation of cancer cells and precancerous lesions in the colon. Women can particularly benefit from eating green onions. The flavonoid, kaempferol, in onions is known to lower the risk of ovarian cancer. One study discovered that eating foods rich in kaempferol such as onions, blueberries, curly kale, spinach, leeks, and tea may lower the risk of developing ovarian cancer by 40 percent. Quercitin is also a known tumor fighter. It has been shown to halt the growth of colon tumors and protect colon cells from the potentially damaging effects of cancer-causing substances. Regular consumption of onions is correlated with a reduced risk of colon and other cancers, including ovarian, oral, esophageal, breast, and prostate cancer. The quercitin content may also account for onions' potential to lessen inflammation associated with such conditions as arthritis and asthma.

Topical Medical Applications

- For sore throat
Cut the green onion's white part into pieces. Put it in a cloth bag and steam it for a hot compress. You can also mix the green onion with grated ginger and some salt. Wrap the hot bag in a towel or gauze and place it over the throat, chest, soles, palms, back, and armpits. It promotes perspiration and lowers the heat and pain. This method is known since the ancient times, and it is as good as commercially sold plasters.

- For swollen feet
Boil the whole green onion for a few minutes. Grind it and mix with a little water just enough to make a paste, and then place it to the swollen part of your feet. This simple method is used since hundreds of years ago by our ancestors.

- For nasal congestion (runny nose)
Mash the green onion and make wet cotton with its juice. Place the wet cotton to your nose. Believe it or not, if you cannot sleep well, just place a bundle of green onion beside your pillow.

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Easy Salsa
3 tomatoes
2 green onion stalks
1 clove garlic
½ bunch cilantro
¼ - 1 Jalepeno (depending on your desire of spicy)
Salt & pepper to taste
Place everything in a food processor and pulse a few times.  No food processor?  Simply dice and mince everything fine and stir together.  Voila! 

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