The folk remedy of placing sliced onions in socks overnight while feeling unwell has recently gained renewed attention. This practice is a modern iteration of an old tradition where cut onions were placed near the sick or around the house. The general idea is to use the raw onion as a poultice, allowing its perceived healing properties to be absorbed through the skin on the feet. This simple home remedy appeals to many seeking quick relief from common cold or flu symptoms.
The Practice and Its Claimed Effects
The remedy instructs one to slice a raw onion, typically red or white, into flat discs and place them directly against the soles of the feet before covering them with socks overnight. Proponents claim that the onion’s natural properties can “draw out” illness from the body while a person sleeps. This belief often references ancient Chinese medicinal practices like foot reflexology, based on the idea that the feet contain nerve endings connected to internal organs.
The primary mechanism claimed by advocates is that the onion absorbs toxins, viruses, and bacteria through the skin on the feet. Another theory suggests that the odorous sulfuric compounds infiltrate the body to purify the blood or combat the infection. This folk tradition dates back to at least the 1500s when people believed diseases, like the bubonic plague, were spread by noxious air, or “miasma,” which the onions were thought to absorb.
The Scientific Verdict
Despite widespread anecdotal support, there is no scientific evidence that placing onions in socks cures systemic illnesses like the cold or flu. The body’s immune system, liver, and kidneys are responsible for fighting infections and eliminating waste products, not the soles of the feet. Systemic infections are fought within the bloodstream and tissues, a process that cannot be influenced by an onion placed externally on the skin.
The concept that the onion draws out toxins is based on a misunderstanding of human physiology. The skin acts as a protective barrier, preventing external substances from entering the body and internal toxins from being excreted through the feet. While onions contain beneficial compounds like allicin and quercetin, these require ingestion and absorption through the gut to provide any health benefits.
The pungent sulfur compounds in onions exhibit mild antimicrobial properties when applied directly to a surface. However, this effect is negligible when fighting a viral infection within the body. Cold and flu viruses are spread through contact and airborne droplets, and an onion cannot attract or neutralize these pathogens or draw them out of the human body. The National Onion Association confirms there is no scientific proof that a cut onion absorbs germs or rids the air of toxins.
Potential Side Effects and Misconceptions
While the practice is largely harmless, relying on this remedy can delay seeking appropriate medical treatment for serious or persistent illnesses. The greatest risk lies in neglecting evidence-based care in favor of a folk remedy. For a viral illness like the flu, supportive care remains the most effective treatment.
Prolonged contact with raw onion can cause mild skin irritation or contact dermatitis in individuals with sensitive skin. A common misconception is that if the onion slices turn brown or black after use, it proves they absorbed toxins from the body. This color change is simply enzymatic browning, a natural oxidation process that occurs when the cut flesh of an onion is exposed to air.