Division of City Schools-Manila

PRES. SERGIO OSMEÑA SR. HIGH SCHOOL

Enhanced Tea with Allium Cepa (Onion) Peel as Cough and Cold Remedy

A Research Paper

in

Immersion

(Qualitative Method)

Submitted to

Mrs. Maribel Beroin

Research Mentor

Submitted by

Sigrid Pristine De Guzman

June 2021

Abstract
 Onions have always been a staple of our meals. However, many people discard the peels

and consider them a waste. The main goal of this study is to share and introduce others to the

benefits of onion peels and why they should not be thrown away. The researchers will investigate

the potential use of onion peel as a cough and cold remedy by steeping it in tea.

1.Introduction

Allium Cepa is widely used in all cuisines around the world. But the outer skin of the

onion (Allium cepa L.) is considered inedible by many (G. Griffiths et al. 2002). Onion peels are

typically discarded during industrial processing or household cooking, and they are classified as

environmental trash (E. Molla et al. 2011). That papery covering may appear to be just throw-

away packaging, but you will be surprised to learn about its nutrients and possible uses. Onion

peel contains higher concentrations of flavonoids, immunity-boosting nutrients like vitamin C

and antioxidants (B. Teeshan 2004).  Quercetin is a flavanol that is prevalent in plant products,

notably onions, and has been shown to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-

regulating effects (Lee KH. 2008). The content of quercetin, a key flavanol, in onion peel is 20

times greater than in the edible onion portion (J.-H. Kwak 2017). Quercetin has been found to

have anti-cancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, hyperglycemia, and anti-obesity effects

(J. Park 2007). The onion peel has been shown to contain the nutritional components responsible

for an immunity-boosting effect, implying that it may improve immune status. However, this

possibility has not been studied extensively yet. Due to the nutritional components of onion peel,

it may be a cost-effective way to obtain quercetin and other flavanols. These compounds can be

consumed daily in the form of tea or broth that is brewed from onion peel. Thus, this study was

performed to investigate the effects of onion peel on tea as cough and cold remedy 
Review of Related Literature

Onions (Allium cepa) have distinct smells and tastes that have made them popular as culinary

components (Ly et al. 2005). Onion peels, on the other hand, have greater amounts of quercetin

aglycon than onion flesh (Downes et al. 2009). Anthocyanins and colorless phenolics are found

in the dried outer skins and epidermal layer of fleshy scales of (Allium cepa L.). Robinson and

Robinson (1932) demonstrated that the main pigment in onions was cyaniding3-glucoside, with

small quantities of cyaniding 3-laminaribioside and additional minor unidentified cyaniding,

peonidin, and pelargonidin glucosides. The main flavonoids found in onion peel have been

identified as quercetin and quercetin 4'-O-glucopyranoside (Fossen et al. 1998). Quercetin, a

bioflavonoid derived from onion peel, inhibited phosphodiesterase 5A significantly (Lines and

Ono 2006). During food preparation, the onion bulb's two outer fleshy scales and roots are

removed together with the peel and discarded. Because the food sector generates a considerable

quantity of onion waste, which may be harmful to the environment if not properly disposed of, it

is important to research the antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics of onion peel and its

possible uses.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to highlight and introduce the health benefits of onion peels by brewing

it to create a medicinal tea.

1.) What are the ingredients to make the tea?

2.) Is the tea effective as cough and cold remedy?

Importance of the study

 The purpose of this study is to share the benefits of onion peels and its possible use

as a tea. The researcher’s hypothesis is that onion peel can be a beneficial tea and act as cough

and cold remedy. If proven, this study could inform other people to use onion peels rather

than considering it as a waste.

Scope and Delimitations of the study

 The primary goal of this research is to share with other people that onion peels have a lot of

benefits and nutrients. This study was chosen by the researchers to test the hypothesis that onion

peel has immunity-boosting nutrients. The data for this study will be obtained by conducting an

experiment. The researcher will restrict the study by using onion peel in the tea, which will be

consumed by two people. This study is restricted to 2 people only and does not include more

people since it goes beyond the researchers' reach. 

2.Methodology

Theoretical Framework

The outer skins of onion  provide an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E, and numerous

antioxidants. The skins of onions are also a rich source of flavonoids, particularly quercetin, a

potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory stated by Rodrigues, A. S. (2017). Onions: A Source of

Flavonoids. Intech. https://www.intechopen.com/books/flavonoids-from-biosynthesis-to-human-

health/onions-a-source-of-flavonoids.

Ingredients and Materials

 1. Onion Peel

2. Honey

3. Green Tea

4. Pot

5. Water

Procedure

1.Boil water in a pot and immediately put the tea bag or green tea leaves.

2.Peel two small onion.

3.Put the peels in the boiling pot.

4.Let it all seep for around 10 minutes.

5.Strain the tea and add some honey.

3.Results and Conclusion

Due to the tea bag and the sweetener, the onion tea becomes soothing, sweet-smelling,

and honey flavored. In this experiment, two people with coughs and colds were observed

drinking onion peel tea for five days. Both of them were successfully recovered after 5 days.

Finally, because onion peels are an excellent source of immunity-boosting nutrients such as

vitamin C, antioxidants, magnesium, iron, and zinc, they have been shown to be very effective in

preventing coughs and colds.

4.Recommendation

This experiment was not designed for commercial or business purposes; rather, it was

designed to educate others about the fact that onion peels have health benefits and should not be

wasted. This study was also designed for people as an alternative who do not have enough

money to buy their own medicine. Among the ingredients, honey might be a little expensive for

others, but it is just used as a sweetener in this study, so you can use sugar as an alternative

instead. And, as for the green tea, it is used to remove the onion's very strong pungent aroma, so

I recommend that other researchers consider and try to experiment with onion peels as tea by

drying, steaming, and boiling them without other leaves or vegetables. I also encourage other

researchers to further study and share with people all the possible uses of onion peel.

5.References

Bahorun, T. et. al. “Total phenol, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and vitamin C levels and

antioxidant activities of Mauritian vegetables. Wiley Online Library.” (2004).

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.1820

Downes, K., Chope, G.A. & Terry, L.A. “Postharvest application of ethylene and 1-

methylcyclopropene either before or after curing affects onion (Allium cepa L.) bulb

quality during long-term cold storage. Postharvest Biology & Technology” 2010 55: 36-44.
E. Mollá, M.A. Martín-Cabrejas, et. al. “Characterization of industrial onion wastes (allium cepa

l.): dietary fibre and bioactive compounds Plant Foods Human Nutr. (Formerly Qualitas

Plantarum)”, (2011) 66, pp. 48-57, 10.1007/s11130-011-0212-x

Fossen, T., Pedersen. A.T. & Andersen, O.M. “Flavonoids from red onion (Allium cepa).

Phytochemical” (1998) 47:281-285

G. Griffiths, L. Trueman, T. Crowther, B. Thomas, B. Smith “Onions—a global benefit to health

Phytother. Res.”, 16 , pp. 603-615, 10.1002/ptr.1222

J.-H. Kwak, J.M. Seo, N.-H. Kim, M.V. Arasu, S. Kim, M.K. Yoon, S.-J. Kim “Variation of

quercetin glycoside derivatives in three onion (allium cepa l.) varieties

Saudi J. Biol. Sci”., 24 (2017), pp. 1387-1391, 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.05.014

J. Park, J. Kim, M.K. Kim “Onion flesh and onion peel enhance antioxidant status in aged rats

J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol.,” 53 (2007), pp. 21-29, 10.3177/jnsv.53.21

Rodrigues, A. S. “Onions: A Source of Flavonoids. Intech Open.” (2017, August 23).

https://www.intechopen.com/books/flavonoids-from-biosynthesis-to-human-

health/onions-a-source-of-flavonoids

Lee KH, Kim Y, Park E, Hwang HJ. “Effect of onion powder supplementation on lipid

metabolism in high fat-cholesterol fed SD Rats. J Food Sci Nutr.”(2008);13(2):1371–

1376. https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO200819160170875.page

Lines, T.C. & Ono, M. “FRS 1000, an extract of red onion peel, strongly inhibits

phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE 5A). Phytomedicine” 2006. 13:236–239

Ly, T.N., Hazama, C., Shimoyamada, M., Ando, H., Kato, K. & Yamauchi, R. “Antioxidative

compounds from the outer scales of Onion. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry”

(2005) 53: 8183-8189.

Robinson GM and Robinson R “A surve of anthocyanins. Bio-chem. J”., (1932): 26:1647-1664.

6.Appendices

Ingredients and Materials used

1. Onion Peel

2. Honey

3. Green Tea

Procedure

1.Boil water in a pot and immediately put the tea bag or green tea leaves.

2.Peel two small onion.

3.Put the peels in the boiling pot.

4.Let it all seep for around 10 minutes.

5.Strain the tea and add some honey.

Result