Shallot

Onions form a large genus of about 700 species of mostly strong-smelling, bulbous or rhizomatous biennials and perennials. Alliums are native to the northern hemisphere, Ethiopia, S Africa, and Mexico, and vary in hardiness according to origin. Various species have been cultivated since the earliest times adn are universally important as vegetables, flavorings, and medicinal plants. Their typical smell is caused by sulphur compounds, which have beneficial effects on the circulatory, digestive, and respiratory systems. It varies in pungency from species to species, and a few are almost odorless. Garlic (A. sativum) is the most pungent and highest in therapeutic value. It is also one of the most ancient herbs, recorded in Babylonian times (c.3000BCE), found in the tomb of Tutankhamun (c.1370-52BCE), and consumed in large quantities by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The pervasive odor of garlic has always caused ambivalence, as in the Muslim legend that when Satan left the Garden of Eden after the Fall, garlic sprang up from his left footstep and onion from his right. There are many superstitions about garlic: it wards off vampires, causes moles to "leap out of the ground presently" (William Coles, The Art of Simpling, 1656), and, if chewed, prevent competitors from getting ahead in races. Allium sativum was first mentioned in Chinese medicine c.CE500. In Ayurvedic medicine it is known as rashona, "lacking one taste", referring to the absence of sourness, while possessing all five other tastes (pungent root, bitter leaf, astringent stem, saline top of stem, and sweet seed). There are two main kinds of garlic: "hardneck", which has an excellent flavor but is demanding to cultivate, does not store well, and is difficult to braid; and "softneck", which is productive, adapatable and stores well. Allium canadense (meadow garlic/leek, wild garlic, Canada onion) has medicinal properties similar to garlic, as well as scallion-like leaves and mild-flavored bulbs and bulbils. There are hundreds of kinds of onion (A. cepa) worldwide, adapted to latitude and climate, and varying in size, color, and flavor. Allium cepa is often subdivided into three main groups: the Cepa Group (common onion), which has single large bulbs; the Proliferum Group (tree, or Catawissa onion), which produces an inflorescence constisting largely of bulbils; and the Aggregatum Group (shallot, ever-ready onion, and potato, or multiplier onion), once classified as a separate species, A. ascalonicum, which forms clusters of small bulbs. In addition to their culinary and medicinal uses, onions, in the form of their brown or red-purple skins, are used as dye for Easter eggs in many countries. Allium fistulosum known as da cong in Mandarin and negi in Japanese, is the most important Allium species grown in China, Japan and SE Asia, and is much used in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisines. Its medicinal uses were first described in Shen Nong's Canon of Herbs, c.CE25-200. Allium tuberosum is less used in Chinese medicine; it was mentioned c.CE500 in Ben Jing Ji Zhu by Tao Hong JIn. Allium chinense (rakkyo, baker's garlic) is similar to A. schoenoprasum in appearance but has brighter green, more angular leaves and shallot-like bulbs. The bulbs have a crisp texture and are used mainly for pickles. Allium ampeloprasum (Levant garlic) has several interesting forms, including leeks (Porrum Group); 'Perlzwiebel' which produces small solid (unlayered) "pearl onions" for pickling and the ornamental variety babingtonii (British or Welsh Leek), which is mildly leek flavored and has tall stems of bright purple flowers. The Middle Eastern Kurrat Group was found in ancient Egyptian tombs and is still cultivated today in the Middle East. It is similar to a leek but smaller, with narrower leaves and a more developed bulb, though the young leaves are the parts usually eaten. Allium ledebourianum (asatsuki, siu yuk) from China and Japan has an onion-garlic flavor. It produces chive-like green leaves and small, fleshy bulbs, known as "fire onions". Allium scorodoprasum (rocambole, sand leek) is cultivated to a limied extent in parts of Russia for its small garlic-flavored bulbs. Closely related is Tulbaghia violacea (see wild garlic).

An ancient remedy for wounds, earache, tumors, and numerous other ailments, the onion gets its name from the Latin word unio, meaning "one", as the onion plant produces just a single bulb. The onion is rich in powerful sulfur-containing compounds, which may be the reason it helps lower total cholesterol and raise HDL "good" cholesterol, thin the blood, ward or infections, and ease breathing difficulties.

Robust biennial with a bulb to 10cm (4in) across, and hollow leaves, semi-circular in cross-section, to 40cm (16in) long. An umbel of star-shaped green-white flowers is produced in summer.


Common Name:
Shallot
Other Names:
Green Onion, Onion
Botanical Name:
Allium cepa
Genus:
Allium
Family:
Alliaceae
Cultivation:
Rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Allium schoenoprasum tolerates wetter conditions, heavier soil, and a less open position than most other alliums. Allium atricoccum and A. ursinum prefer moist soil in shade. Allium fistulosum may be hilled up, like leeks, to produce blanched stems. Cut A. schoenoprasum down to the ground after flowering to produce fresh leaves. Onion maggot is common in some countries on light soils; downy mildew is prevalent in wet weather; rots may effect both growing and stored bulbs. Onions, garlic, and chives are often recommended in companion planting to deter pests, weeds, and diseases, though both are reputed to affect legumes adversely.
Propagation:
By seed sown in spring; by bulbils planted in autumn or spring (A. ampeloprasum). By seed sown in autumn or spring, or by "sets" (small bulbs), planted in spring (A.cepa). Sowing and planting of cultivars of A. cepa vary widely in different climates. By seed sown in succession in spring for summer use, and in summer for autumn and spring use (A. fistulosum). By bulbs or individual cloves planted in autumn or winter (A. sativum). By seed sown in spring; by bulbs planted when dormant (A. tricoccum, A ursinum).
Harvest:
Allium ampeloprasum, A. cepa, and A. sativum are harvested in late summer and early autumn. Allium cepa and A. sativum are left to dry in the sun before being stored at 3-5°C (37-41°F). Allium fistulosum is pulled when the stems are pencil thick, or left until leek-sized, and used fresh or quickly cooked. Allium schoenoprasum is cut as needed in the growing season. It is best used fresh or finely chopped and frozen. Allium triccocum, A. tuberosum, and A. ursinum are gathered to be used fresh. Allium tuberosum is blanched in China using clay pots or straw "tents" to give tender leaves that are eaten raw in finger-length pieces.
Native Location:
Worldwide
Height:
1.2m (4ft)
Width:
15cm (6in)
Variations:
Aggregatum Group
(Potato onion, multiplier onion, shallot)
produces a cluster of smaller bulbs, rather than one large bulb.

Aggregatum Group 'Perutile'
(Ever-ready onion, everlasting onion)
forms dense clubs of leaves 30cm (12in) high, similar to but milder and more tender than Welsh Onion

'Ailsa Craig'
produces a round bulb with straw-colored skin and mild flavor. Grown from seed sown in winter, it has long been popular as a large exhibition onion.
Height: 30-45cm (12-18in)
Width: 30cm (12in).

'Noorhollandse Bloedrode'
(North Holland Blood Red)
Is mild flavored with deep red bulbs and pink flesh. It is easily grown from seed and stores well.
Height: 30-45cm (12-18in)
Width: 15-30cm (6-12in)

Proliferum Group
(Tree onion, Catawissa onion, Egyptian onion)
Produces large bulbils among the flowers, sprouting leaves while still attached to the umbel.
Height: 1m (3ft)
Width: 30cm (1ft)

Sweet Sandwhich
Has large, globose, brown-skinned bulbs which become exceptionally mild and sweet after about 2 months in storage.
Height: 30-45cm (12-18in)
Width: 15-30cm (6-12in)
Hardiness:
Z4-9
Parts Used:
Bulb, fresh juice
Properties:
A pungent herb that protects against infection, relaxes spasms, and reduces blood pressure, clotting, and blood sugar levels. It is expectorant and diuretic.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for bronchial and gastric infections, (liquid extract of bulbs). Externally for acne and boils.
To treat digestive problems, cough, colds, whooping cough, asthma, angina, worm infestation, and bacterial or fungal infections; to improve the gall-bladder's performance. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of onion to treat arteriosclerosis, cough, bronchitis, fevers, colds, hypertension, dyspeptic complaints such as heartburn and loss of appetite, tendency to infection, and inflammation of the mouth and throat.
Typical Dose:
A typical daily dose is approximately 50 gm of fresh onion or fresh onion juice, or 20 gm of dried onion.
Possible Side Effects:
Onion's side effects include gastrointestinal distress and halitosis.
Drug Interactions:
Taking onion with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising:
Abciximab, (ReoPro)
Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
Celecoxib, (Celebrex)
Enoxaparin, (Lovenox)
Etodolac, (Lodine, Utradol)
Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock)
Ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin)
Indomethacin, (Indocin, Novo-Methacin)
Ketoprofen, (Orudis, Rhodis)
Ketorolac, (Acular, Toradol)
Ticlopidine, (Alti-Ticlopidine, Ticlid)
Urokinase, (Abbokinase)
Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Taking onion with these drugs may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar):
Acarbose, (Prandase, Precose)
Acetohexamide, (Acetohexamide)
Chlorpropamide, (Diabinese, Novo-Propamide)
Gliclazide, (Diamicron, Novo-Gliclazide)
Glimepiride, (Amaryl)
Glipizide, (Glucotrol)
Glipizide and Metformin, (Metaglip)
Gliquidone, (Beglynor, Glurenorm)
Glyburide, (DiaBeta, Micronase)
Glyburide and Metformin, (Glucovance)
Insulin, (Humulin, Novolin R)
Metformin, (Glucophage, Riomet)
Miglitol, (Glyset)
Nateglinide, (Starlix)
Pioglitazone, (Actos)
Repaglinide, (GlucoNorm, Prandin)
Rosiglitazone, (Avandia)
Rosiglitazone and Metformin, (Avandamet)
Tolazamide, (Tolinase)
Tolbutamide, (Apo-Tolbutamide, Tol-Tab)
Lab Test Alterations:
May decrease blood glucose levels.
Supplement Interactions:
Increased risk of bleeding when used with herbs and supplements that might affect platelet aggregation.
Culinary Uses:
Cooked or raw, onions are indispensable as a flavoring for most meat and vegetable dishes, sauces, stocks, and chutneys. They are also eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable and as pickles with bread and cheese. Dehydrated onion is an ingredient of salt substitutes. Fermented onion paste, hrous, is used as a flavoring for couscous, stews and soups (Tunisia).
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 111, 113
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.357-358