Not to mention everyone and their diets are different, so what helps one person may not help the next. A powerful treatment in its own right, thinking that something will make you feel better can actually help you feel better. That’s why you need randomized placebo-controlled trials to determine if any kind of treatment — even onion-stuffed socks — actually works better than the psychological benefit alone. Perhaps the reason some people say they feel better after sleeping with an onion in their sock or bedside table is because of the thiosulfinates, Havey said. Onions are loaded with Phosphoric acid, which is released when it is kept in close contact with the human body, especially sticking it up in a sock. The heat generated leads to the release of this acid, which enters the blood vessels seeping through the semipermeable membrane.
Meanwhile, WebMD writes that onions and onion supplements are suitable aids for blood circulation problems, diuresis, digestion issues and heart health. Claims can be found in both eastern and western societies about the medicinal properties of onions. Some widely circulated claims include putting onions in one’s socks to cure flu-like illness and placing cut onions in rooms to absorb toxins.
The article also considers the health benefits of onions and other treatments available for cold and flu. Before scientists identified germs as being responsible for illness, people believed that raw onions could purify the air in the room. When placed against the skin of the foot and kept in a sock, people thought that onion could cleanse the blood.
However, some vitamins may help someone get rid of a cold faster, or reduce the number of colds they get each year. When considering new treatments for cold and flu, it is always a good idea donnatal substitute to speak to a doctor first. Any claims of effectiveness are based on anecdotes rather than research. Remember that consuming onions as part of a balanced diet has several health advantages.
The onion in sock home remedy has origins in western folklore and is hundreds of years old. In a similar way to reflexology, this ancient practice focuses on specific points in the foot based on a belief that each point affects the health of a different internal organ. As you sleep, the healing properties of the onions will be absorbed by the feet, and this will help in stimulating the meridians. Were you aware of the fact that the bottom areas of your feet have direct access points to all the internal organs in your body? As per Chinese medicine terminology, these access points are known as meridians, and they form the pathways to each organ in the body.
She explained how onions supposedly draw toxins out of your body if you keep them on your feet all night. Sleeping with onion slices in your socks might give you more space in bed, but it’s certainly not fixing anything medically. In terms of preventing colds or the flu, Nagata says the most effective means are hand-washing, avoiding sick people, wearing masks in crowded spaces, getting a flu shot and staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. These include nasal saline drops or sprays, which can help loosen up the mucus and make it easier to breathe, as well as humidifiers and cool mist vaporizers to moisturize the airways, O’Hare says.