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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.



ONION
(Allium cepa)
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Also see: Allium cernuum, Ramps, Topset Onion

USES

MEDICINAL:
Onions are milder in action but provide the same health benefits as garlic. (See Garlic)

CULINARY:
Common flavoring and vegetable.

DYE:
The outside skins produce burnt orange with alum mordant; brass color with chrome; green with copperas & blue vitriol.

INSECT:
Steep finely chopped onion for about 1 week in mineral oil in a sunny spot then strain. Dilute the oil with water and use as a spray to repel garden insects.



ONIONS, TOPSET
a.k.a Egyptian Onions, Walking Onions
(Allium cepa var. proliferum)
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PROPAGATION: Small bulbils appear at the top of the leaves. These are replanted. The plants will also reproduce without any help as the weight of the bulbils will cause leaves to bend over where they are deposited on the ground.

CULINARY USES:
Leaves and bulbils used where onion flavor desired.




©2001 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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