Green onions, also called scallions, are a familiar kitchen ingredient with a fresh, mildly pungent flavor. Like garlic and other members of the allium family, green onions contain sulfur-containing plant compounds and antioxidants that have attracted interest in nutrition and traditional wellness practices.
One popular homemade preparation is green onion infused oil. The oil can be used as a gentle massage oil or simply as a traditional herbal preparation. However, it is important to understand that this remedy has not been proven to cure arthritis, joint disease, infections, hair loss, or other medical conditions.
What You Need
- 4–5 fresh green onions
- ½ cup olive oil or another skin-friendly carrier oil
- A clean, dry glass jar
- A small saucepan
- Fine strainer or clean cheesecloth
How to Make Green Onion Infused Oil
1. Wash the Green Onions
Rinse the green onions thoroughly under cool running water to remove dirt and debris.
Pat them completely dry. Removing excess moisture is important when preparing an oil infusion.
2. Chop the Onions
Cut the green onions into small pieces. You can use both the white and green portions.
3. Gently Warm the Oil
Place the carrier oil and chopped green onions in a small saucepan.
Warm over very low heat for about 10–15 minutes. Do not allow the oil to smoke or the onions to burn.
4. Cool and Strain
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool.
Strain the oil through a fine strainer or clean cheesecloth, removing all pieces of green onion.
5. Store Carefully
For homemade fresh-herb oils, moisture and contamination can create food-safety risks. For that reason, it is better to prepare a small amount for topical use rather than storing it for long periods or consuming it.
Keep it refrigerated in a clean, sealed container and discard it if it develops an unusual smell, appearance, or signs of spoilage.
How People Traditionally Use It
A small amount of the infused oil can be gently massaged onto areas such as:
- Hands and feet
- Shoulders
- Knees
- Elbows
- Dry areas of skin
Massage gently for several minutes and stop if irritation occurs.
The warmth and massage itself may feel soothing, particularly when muscles feel tense after normal daily activity.
Can Green Onion Oil Cure Joint Pain?
There is not enough clinical evidence to say that green onion infused oil cures arthritis, rheumatism, joint damage, or chronic pain.
If someone experiences temporary comfort after applying an infused oil, the effect may come partly from the massage, warmth, and moisturizing properties of the carrier oil rather than from a proven medicinal effect of green onion.
Persistent or severe joint pain deserves proper medical evaluation, particularly when there is swelling, redness, weakness, injury, or difficulty moving the joint.
Can It Help Hair Growth?
Green onions contain various plant compounds, but there is no strong clinical evidence that rubbing homemade green onion oil onto the scalp reliably regrows thinning or lost hair.
Hair loss can have many causes, including genetics, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, scalp conditions, medications, and other health factors. Identifying the cause is more useful than relying on an unproven oil remedy.
Skin Benefits
The carrier oil itself can help reduce dryness by providing a moisturizing layer over the skin.
However, green onion oil should not be considered a treatment for eczema, infections, wounds, burns, or other skin diseases.
Avoid applying homemade infused oil to broken or irritated skin.
Important Safety Tips
Always perform a small patch test before using a homemade preparation over a larger area.
Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, and other sensitive areas. Do not apply it to open wounds.
If burning, redness, itching, swelling, or a rash develops, wash the area and discontinue use.
Pregnant people, children, and anyone with a significant skin condition should be especially cautious with homemade topical preparations.
The Bottom Line
Green onion infused oil can be used as a simple traditional massage oil, but it should not be described as a cure-all remedy. Green onions contain interesting plant compounds, while the carrier oil can moisturize the skin and massage may provide temporary comfort.
For persistent pain, significant hair loss, skin problems, or other ongoing symptoms, an evidence-based medical treatment is more appropriate than relying solely on a homemade remedy.