There are more health benefits linked to fruits and vegetables than we'll ever know. Just by talking to family members and browsing the internet, I have gathered a wealth of knowledge about foods I eat every day. It's unbelievable how many things in your fridge and pantry have medicinal properties.

One vegetable that we take sometimes take for granted is the onion. Yes, we use it in a lot of dishes, mainly to add depth of flavor, but did you know that it also has a number of health benefits?

Onions contain sulfuric compounds which have been proven to be effective in reducing the risk of cancer and detoxing the liver. Additionally, onions, especially the red variety, are rich in quercitin, an antioxidant that is believed to lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, fight diabetes, asthma and other chronic breathing problems.

Since the early 1900s, onions were used by Europeans to manage complications brought on by the plague, and those who practice Ayurvedic medicine have been known to use an onion poultice to cure flus, colds, coughs, joint pain and inflammation.

Turns out, they knew exactly what they were doing, and now, you too can reap the benefit of cutting up an onion and placing it in your bedroom.

In addition to ridding the space of unpleasant septic smells, onions are also helpful in preventing and getting rid of the flu.

An Amish tradition that dates back to the 16th century saw people placing cut onions around their homes during the flu season. Why?

Apparently, onions can effectively provide natural relief from the nasty symptoms brought on by the influenza virus and other bacteria. The strong-smelling vegetable soaks up the harmful organisms, toxins and pollutants in the air that take a toll on your health.

Although any variety of onion you have on hand would work, it is highly recommended to stick with the white. Simply cut it in half and place it in a bowl or cup on your night stand overnight to prevent pathogens from entering your system.

You can repeat the process if you'd like to purify the air in other rooms around your home. You'll notice that over time the onion will turn brown (oxidize) as it soaks up oxygen and the airborne particles. So it's important to throw it away after a couple of uses. The verdict is still out on how long, some say a few days while others say up to three months.  

Although there are a lot of people who swear by this method, some are still skeptical about how effective it really is. To those people I say: try it anyway because you've got nothing to lose, especially considering how cheap, effortless, and harmless it is.

I've been doing this for a while now, and it might be why I've managed to make it through this deadly flu season without falling ill. I've also noticed that nowadays I wake up in the morning without congestion, so here's hoping this onion trick can help me get through allergy season too.

Will you be giving this onion method a try? Let us know in the comments!