Onions (Allium cepa) is part of family Allium and one of the most important vegetable. There are over 600 species of Allium including lily and garlic. Allium vegetables mainly onion and garlic are known for their peculiar flavor which accounts for its popularity. This flavour is due to presence of alkyl cysteine sulphoxides synthesized in plant cells. Health benefits of onion and garlic can be attributed to unique combination of flavonoids and sulphur containing nutrients.
Onion is hardy, bulbous plant, very much similar to lily and grows in well drained moist soil. Health benefits of onion are thus easy to obtain. Onion plant can be grown in backyard or garden. Onion since ages, have been important part of our food preparations as flavouring and seasoning agent. Use of onion can be traced way back to bronze age.