Onions have always been valued not only because of their culinary uses but also due to the medicinal properties they are associated with. Let us prove this to you with an example. During American Civil War, General Ulysses S. Grant sent a message to the War Department in Washington. It read, " I will not move my army without onions." Thinking why he may have said that? Well, onions were used to heal a wound in those times. Such was onions' importance. This vegetable was/is easy to grow and useful for sustaining human life. It can be dried and used later too.
The pungent-tasting vegetable's origin dates back to approximately 5000 years ago. However, nobody is sure of its place of origin. It is considered one of the oldest food items cultivated by humankind. It is believed that onions are native to certain Asian regions including China, northwest India, Afghanistan, and Baluchistan. As early as 3200 B.C., onions were depicted as food in Egyptian tombs and walls of pyramids. Historical pieces of evidence suggest that Egyptians used to feed onions to workers building pyramids, for strength. Moreover, this vegetable symbolizes eternity to the Egyptians and that's why they used to bury onions with their Pharaohs. Historical documents show that onions were used for mummification and medicinal purposes in early times.
The references to this bulb can also be found in Bible and Kuran. If you have read Charak Samhita, you may be knowing that it suggests, Indians are growing onions from ancient times and using them as a diuretic, treating heart ailments and improving digestion and eyesight.
As far as Romans and their love for onions are concerned, they used to have this vegetable for its medicinal values. They believed onions can improve vision, heal mouth sores, toothaches, and more. In one of the first cookbooks that date to around 18th century A.D., the Roman gourmet Apicius includes many references to onions. By the Middle Ages, onions along with beans and cabbage became three most important vegetables of European cuisine.
Currently, approximately 93,226,400 tonnes of onion is produced worldwide every year. And, China is the largest producer of this vegetable.