Everyone knows about the beneficial properties of onions, but few know that this amazing plant is widely used not only in folk medicine, but also in home cosmetology, and on its basis they prepare skin care products, as well as various masks and hair lotions . We will talk about how this works in this review.

Medical and cosmetology properties of onions

Onions are a source of a huge amount of nutrients. In particular, in this vegetable are present:

In addition, onions are very rich in essential oils, glycosides, sulfur-containing substances and carotenoids, which have, especially in the aggregate, a pronounced phytoncidal effect.

It is this quality of the vegetable that determines the widespread use that it has found in traditional medicine and cosmetology.

Important! The chemical composition of the plant may vary depending on the variety, soil composition and climate in which it was grown.

• In particular, healers and healers from different countries have long used a vegetable to treat:
• colds and other acute inflammatory diseases of an infectious nature;
• high blood pressure;
• thrombosis and other problems associated with increased blood clotting;
• diabetes mellitus;
• liver diseases, including hepatitis;
• metabolic disorders;
• constipation
• scurvy;
• headache and toothache;
• kidney stones and other diseases of the genitourinary system;
• prostatitis;
• mastitis
• corns and cracks in the heels;
• bruises, sprains, abscesses and purulent wounds;
• fungal diseases;
• a hangover.

In addition, onion is a proven remedy for worms, and also helps to relieve painful symptoms with insect bites.

• With regard to the cosmetic properties of onions, it has long been observed that this vegetable, when used properly, contributes to:
• improving complexion;
• getting rid of wrinkles;
• skin hydration;
• remove freckles.

A separate “article” in the use of onions as a cosmetic is hair care. Due to the fact that potassium has the ability to stabilize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, sulfur relieves inflammation symptoms and stimulates cell regeneration, essential oils improve the metabolic processes in the skin, and organic acids, vitamins and other nutrients actively nourish it, adding onions to various hair masks allows not only significantly improve their appearance, but also get rid of some unpleasant diseases, for example, oily dandruff.

Even a simple rinsing of the hair with a decoction of onion peels makes them more shiny and silky, and for light hair, in addition, it gives a beautiful golden tint

Does onion help with hair loss?

There is an opinion that with the help of onions, or rather, onion juice, you can get rid of baldness, however, as the reviews of those who have tried this method confirm themselves, one should not be hopeful about it.

The fact is that hair loss, or, in the scientific language, alopecia can have different causes, and, as a rule, they are systemic and deep-seated. For example, such an unpleasant phenomenon may be due to:

• a peculiar reaction of the body to unfavorable factors - an unhealthy lifestyle, poor nutrition, taking certain medications, and finally, recent or permanent stress;
• damage to the scalp (say, as a result of a burn or other injury);
• hormonal changes - age-related, arising from pregnancy, menopause, etc.
• hereditary predisposition.

Did you know? According to statistics, baldness in men in 95% of cases is androgenetic in nature, the percentage of the influence of this factor on hair loss in women, according to various studies, ranges from 20 to 90, that is, in any case, it is very significant.

By the way, it is heredity that is the most common cause of hair loss. As scientists have established, certain people have a genetic (innate) sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone, a special hormone present in the scalp and, in turn, block the production of substances responsible for the reproduction and growth of hair follicles. This congenital feature is called androgenetic alopecia, and the hair loss that it causes is called male pattern baldness, although both sexes can suffer from it.

It is absolutely clear that a genetic predisposition to hair loss cannot be cured by onions or any other cosmetic procedures. Despite this, traditional medicine, and not only European, but also Eastern, very often recommends treating baldness by rubbing two types of drugs in the scalp that have, we note, the exact opposite effect: on the one hand, these are oils or fats, designed to revive ”the follicles, on the other hand - alcohols, acids or a variety of soap products, which, on the contrary, degrease and dry the scalp.

Important! The follicles responsible for hair growth are located under the skin, while the visible part of the hair does not have its own metabolism and, in fact, is dead. The skin at the same time represents a fairly powerful barrier that biologically active components of onions cannot overcome when applied externally.

Onions, depending on the specific composition of the mask, can be included in both versions of “healing elixirs,” although it is usually used for baldness in combination with vodka or other alcohol.

However, it should be noted that in reality this kind of procedure, especially if applied often and uncontrollably, can cause negative consequences in the form of:

• skin problems (acne, inflammation) due to clogging of pores with fat;
• metabolic disorders in the scalp as a result of the use of aggressive drugs like acid or alkali;
• chemical burns;
• protein denaturation in skin cells;
• vision problems if a burning agent gets into your eyes.

The above problems are detrimental, including to the condition of the hair, that is, ultimately the treatment gives the opposite effect.

From the foregoing it follows that, in fact, regardless of what causes baldness, it is impossible to cure it by applying any substances to the scalp, including onion gruel or juice. The only effective way to treat the problem is with medication, usually hormonal.

However, this sad thoroughly does not detract from the beneficial properties of onions as a food product, nor does it disprove the positive effect that can be obtained as a result of using the vegetable for cosmetic purposes, including hair care. Another thing is that the biologically active nutrients present in the onion, in the latter case, can affect not the hair itself, but the scalp, but this is also good, because on problem skin the hair does not look healthy and beautiful.

Did you know? Onions are associated with spicy dishes due to their sharp taste. However, surprisingly, sugar in this vegetable contains even more than, say, a pear or an apple.

How to make an onion mask at home?

As mentioned, onion hair masks are usually prepared with the addition of fat or alcohol. The first option is preferable for owners of dry skin, the second - respectively, for those who have oily skin. With a combined type of skin, you can use any option as you wish.

For example, to prepare an onion mask with oil and honey, you will need the following ingredients:

• onions - 1 medium-sized head;
• liquid honey - 1 tbsp. l .;
• olive oil - 1 tbsp. l .;
• homemade mayonnaise - 1 tbsp. l

Peel the onion, grate it, or beat in a blender, pour gruel on gauze and squeeze the juice thoroughly. Mix with the rest of the ingredients until smooth. Apply the resulting composition to the scalp, cover with a film, wrap with a towel on top and hold for an hour. Then rinse with plenty of warm water.

The olive oil in the mask can be replaced with sunflower or burdock, and mayonnaise with chicken yolk. Instead of oil, add vodka or cognac to the mask for oily hair (1 tbsp. L.)

Application features

Masks with onion juice always withstand for a long time under a film and a layer of thick fabric to create the effect of a bath. The product should be applied in massaging movements so that the ingredients are absorbed into the skin as best as possible. A mask is not applied to the hair itself due to the futility of such a procedure, however, if the nutrient mixture gets to the roots, there is nothing to worry about. Before covering the head with a film, experts recommend massaging the skin with a mask already applied on it for 5-10 minutes to improve the effect.

The duration of the procedure is usually 60 minutes, although the mask can be kept on oily hair for longer, up to 2 hours. The frequency of use of the drug is 1-2 times a week, the therapeutic course is from 1 to 6 months, depending on how well the procedure is tolerated and how effective it is.

Important! If there is damage to the skin, the onion juice applied to it can cause a burning sensation, which, in principle, is okay. However, unpleasant sensations can be caused by individual intolerance to onions or other ingredients of the mask, for example, honey, so when they appear, the mixture is still better to immediately wash off.

In order to protect yourself from a possible allergy, before applying the mask, strictly speaking, it is necessary to apply a small amount of the prepared mixture to an open area of ​​the skin, for example, on the wrist and observe the reaction for several minutes. In the absence of redness, burning sensation, swelling, rash and other unpleasant manifestations, the mask can be used.

If a negative reaction has occurred, all components present separately in the mask should be checked in a similar way and, having calculated the source of the problem, correct the recipe by eliminating the allergen or replacing it with a suitable safe analogue.

How to get rid of the smell after an onion mask

Onions have one unpleasant property - a sharp characteristic smell. Moreover, it manifests itself not only when eating an exclusively useful vegetable in food in its raw form, but also when using it externally, for example, as a means for hair care. So, if freshly pressed onion juice is applied to the scalp, then after washing off such a product with water, even using shampoo, the smell of onions on the hair will be felt for a rather long time.

Did you know? Onion and garlic “necklaces” are usually associated with the prevention of influenza and other respiratory infections, less commonly with the desire to ward off evil spirits, demons, or vampires. But Hutsul women, according to M. Kotsyubinsky (the novel “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors”) wore such jewelry on her chest as a contraceptive, considering that a caustic plant would protect them from unwanted pregnancy.

It is for this reason that pure onion juice, and, especially, pulp with pulp, is best not to use when caring for hair. But such additives as honey, mayonnaise and cognac perfectly neutralize the unpleasant aroma. For the same purpose, you can add a few drops of any essential oil to the mask (for oily hair, rosemary, tea tree or lemon essential oils are suitable for dry hair - sandalwood, cedar or lavender), but you should be careful with this ingredient because of the high probability of burns .

Finally, lemon juice helps to kill the pungent smell of onions in the mask. Lemon has a light drying and whitening effect, so in oily hair products such an additive is quite appropriate

If, despite all the precautions taken, after washing off the mask, the hair still smells strongly of onions, You can get rid of this phenomenon with the help of various kinds of tools prepared on the basis of such proven components:

To increase the effect after washing off the onion-neutralizing agent, it is advisable to apply a regular rinse conditioner to the hair, which is used by the traditional method

Onion is an extremely useful product, but its healing properties are best disclosed when used internally. Nevertheless, in various recipes of home cosmetology, pulp and onion juice are used very often, because the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other active nutrients contained in the plant have a beneficial effect on the skin. This direction in the use of onions has every right to exist, it is only important not to expect from it a magical effect like getting rid of bald spots, and also be able to take measures to neutralize the unpleasant odor remaining on the skin and hair after onion masks.