Does Putting an Onion in Your Sock Stop a Cold or Flu?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsClaimsEvidenceOther RemediesHealth Benefits

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Claims

Evidence

Other Remedies

Health Benefits

To date, there is no evidence to support this claim, and the National Onion Association confirms there is no scientific proof that “a cut raw onion can absorb germs or rids the air of toxins and poisons.”

Verywell / Laura Porter

Origins of the Remedy

The onion cold remedy, which involves placing sliced onion in the bottom of your socks while asleep, has origins in both medieval healing andtraditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Medieval Origins

According to the National Onion Association, the idea that onions can prevent transmittable diseases dates back to the 1500s. During the bubonic plague, cut onions were placed around homes to keep people from contracting the deadly illness.

At the time, it was believed that illnesses were spread through the air as clouds of disease known asmiasma(derived from the ancient Greek word for “pollution”). Miasma was supposed to be something you could smell, and onions, with their distinctive smell, were thought to absorb miasma and provide protection.

In medieval Italy, the term “miasma” gave rise to the wordmalaria, which translates to “bad air.”

In more recent history, people hoped onions would provide protection against the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. In one anecdote, a doctor was said to have ordered his patients to place cut onions in their homes. He claimed the practice kept them healthy while those who did not use the remedy became ill.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Others contend that the remedy is founded on principles of traditional Chinese medicine. In TCM, the body is said to have 12 major access points known asmeridiansthat form the pathways to each organ in the body. Six of the 12 meridians pass through the feet.

Although these foot meridians are often dormant (mostly because we cover our feet with shoes), their stimulation is thought to deliver health benefits, including improved immunity.It is a principle that drives the practice offoot reflexology.

Some people contend that onions have a stimulatory effect as they are regarded as a “warming food” in TCM, counteracting the cold and dampness that weakens theimmune system.There are few, if any, studies to support this claim.

Why Onions in Socks Don’t Work for Cold and Flu Prevention

Some of the claims about onions are loosely based on fact. For example, onions do not provide the ideal environment for viruses to multiply or survive. With apH balanceof 5.4 to 5.8, onions have mildly acidic properties inhospitable to many germs.Adenoviruses, for example, the most common causes of colds, thrive in a more neutral environment (around 7.2 pH).

This does not mean onions have strongantiviral or antimicrobialproperties; they do not. To effectively kill adenoviruses and similar respiratory viruses, you need an alkaline solution like bleach with a pH of 11 to 13.

How Colds Are Cured

There is no evidence that onions can draw the virus out of the body or that drawing the viruses to the foot has any benefits in healing colds.

Onion Use in Chinese Medicine

Even within the construct of TCM, the stimulation of meridians in the foot is mainly achieved through needling (acupuncture) and pressure (acupressure).

Moreover, the topical use of onions (Cong Bai) to ease cold symptoms is traditionally delivered as a paste applied to the chest, back, soles, palms, and back of the knees rather than the foot.

Home Remedies for Cold and Flu That Actually Work

Other home remedies can be effective at easing cold and flu symptoms. Some of these include the following:

8 Best Teas to Drink When You Have a Cold, According to Experts

Other Health Benefits of Onions

While there is no scientific proof that onions can help treat or prevent colds, onions can be an important part of a healthy, balanced diet to better support your overall immune health. Some health benefits of onions include the following:

Summary

While some people believe that putting onions in socks can speed healing from a cold, there is no evidence that it works. Onions can support your immune health as part of a healthy diet, but they have no direct effect on cold viruses or cannot change the course of the infection in any way.

17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Onion Association.Onions & flu.Berezow A, Campbell H, LeMieux J, Schow S.The next plague and what science will do to stop it. American Council of Science and Health.Zhu Y, Huang JP, Zhong JM, Li WT, Xu NG, Liu JH.Biological mechanism of specific relationship between gan (liver) meridian of root-jueyin and genitals.Chin J Integr Med. 2021 ;27(5):384-7. doi:10.1007/s11655-020-3483-yJun MH, Kim YM, Kim JU.Modern acupuncture-like stimulation methods: a literature review.Integr Med Res.2015;4(4):195–219. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2015.09.005Yang C, Li L, Yang L, et al.Anti-obesity and Hypolipidemic effects of garlic oil and onion oil in rats fed a high-fat diet.Nutr Metab (Lond).2018;15:43. doi:10.1186/s12986-018-0275-xOklahoma State University.The importance of food pH in commercial canning operations.Sonugür FG, Babahan C, Abdi Abgarmi S, et al.Incubation temperature and period during denarase treatment and microfiltration affect the yield of recombinant adenoviral vectors during downstream processing.Mol Biotechnol.2023;65:1129-39. doi:10.1007/s12033-022-00616-8Mekonnen D, Admassu A, Wassie B, Biadglegne F.Evaluation of the efficacy of bleach routinely used in health facilities againstMycobacterium tuberculosisisolates in Ethiopia.Pan Afr Med J.2015;21:317. doi:10.11604/pamj.2015.21.317.5456Marefat N, Ghorani V, Shakeri F, et al.A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects ofAllium cepaand its main constituents.Pharm Biol.2021;59(1):285–300. doi:10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028Pappas DE.The common cold.Princip Pract Pediat Infect Dis.2018:199–202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8Zhu J,Acupoints initiate the healing process.Med Acupunct.2014;26(5):264-70. doi:10.1089/acu.2014.1057Chinesenutrition.org.Green onion in TCM.Sadikan MZ, Asri MN, Hairi HA, Singar SA.Relevance and use of honey and lemon water for cough.Jafarzadeh A, Jafarzadeh S, Nemati M.Therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: Is there enough evidence?J Tradit Chin Med Sci. 2021;8(4):267–79. doi:10.1016/j.jtcms.2021.10.001Panta P, Chatti K, Andhavarapu A.Do saline water gargling and nasal irrigation confer protection against COVID-19?Explore (NY). 2021;17(2):127-129. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2020.09.010U.S. Department of Agriculture.Onions, spring or scallions (includes tops and bulb), raw.Law YY, Chiu HF, Lee HH, Shen YC, Venkatakrishnan K, Wang CK.Consumption of onion juice modulates oxidative stress and attenuates the risk of bone disorders in middle-aged and post-menopausal healthy subjects.Food Funct.2016;7(2):902-12. doi:10.1039/c5fo01251a

17 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Onion Association.Onions & flu.Berezow A, Campbell H, LeMieux J, Schow S.The next plague and what science will do to stop it. American Council of Science and Health.Zhu Y, Huang JP, Zhong JM, Li WT, Xu NG, Liu JH.Biological mechanism of specific relationship between gan (liver) meridian of root-jueyin and genitals.Chin J Integr Med. 2021 ;27(5):384-7. doi:10.1007/s11655-020-3483-yJun MH, Kim YM, Kim JU.Modern acupuncture-like stimulation methods: a literature review.Integr Med Res.2015;4(4):195–219. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2015.09.005Yang C, Li L, Yang L, et al.Anti-obesity and Hypolipidemic effects of garlic oil and onion oil in rats fed a high-fat diet.Nutr Metab (Lond).2018;15:43. doi:10.1186/s12986-018-0275-xOklahoma State University.The importance of food pH in commercial canning operations.Sonugür FG, Babahan C, Abdi Abgarmi S, et al.Incubation temperature and period during denarase treatment and microfiltration affect the yield of recombinant adenoviral vectors during downstream processing.Mol Biotechnol.2023;65:1129-39. doi:10.1007/s12033-022-00616-8Mekonnen D, Admassu A, Wassie B, Biadglegne F.Evaluation of the efficacy of bleach routinely used in health facilities againstMycobacterium tuberculosisisolates in Ethiopia.Pan Afr Med J.2015;21:317. doi:10.11604/pamj.2015.21.317.5456Marefat N, Ghorani V, Shakeri F, et al.A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects ofAllium cepaand its main constituents.Pharm Biol.2021;59(1):285–300. doi:10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028Pappas DE.The common cold.Princip Pract Pediat Infect Dis.2018:199–202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8Zhu J,Acupoints initiate the healing process.Med Acupunct.2014;26(5):264-70. doi:10.1089/acu.2014.1057Chinesenutrition.org.Green onion in TCM.Sadikan MZ, Asri MN, Hairi HA, Singar SA.Relevance and use of honey and lemon water for cough.Jafarzadeh A, Jafarzadeh S, Nemati M.Therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: Is there enough evidence?J Tradit Chin Med Sci. 2021;8(4):267–79. doi:10.1016/j.jtcms.2021.10.001Panta P, Chatti K, Andhavarapu A.Do saline water gargling and nasal irrigation confer protection against COVID-19?Explore (NY). 2021;17(2):127-129. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2020.09.010U.S. Department of Agriculture.Onions, spring or scallions (includes tops and bulb), raw.Law YY, Chiu HF, Lee HH, Shen YC, Venkatakrishnan K, Wang CK.Consumption of onion juice modulates oxidative stress and attenuates the risk of bone disorders in middle-aged and post-menopausal healthy subjects.Food Funct.2016;7(2):902-12. doi:10.1039/c5fo01251a

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Onion Association.Onions & flu.Berezow A, Campbell H, LeMieux J, Schow S.The next plague and what science will do to stop it. American Council of Science and Health.Zhu Y, Huang JP, Zhong JM, Li WT, Xu NG, Liu JH.Biological mechanism of specific relationship between gan (liver) meridian of root-jueyin and genitals.Chin J Integr Med. 2021 ;27(5):384-7. doi:10.1007/s11655-020-3483-yJun MH, Kim YM, Kim JU.Modern acupuncture-like stimulation methods: a literature review.Integr Med Res.2015;4(4):195–219. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2015.09.005Yang C, Li L, Yang L, et al.Anti-obesity and Hypolipidemic effects of garlic oil and onion oil in rats fed a high-fat diet.Nutr Metab (Lond).2018;15:43. doi:10.1186/s12986-018-0275-xOklahoma State University.The importance of food pH in commercial canning operations.Sonugür FG, Babahan C, Abdi Abgarmi S, et al.Incubation temperature and period during denarase treatment and microfiltration affect the yield of recombinant adenoviral vectors during downstream processing.Mol Biotechnol.2023;65:1129-39. doi:10.1007/s12033-022-00616-8Mekonnen D, Admassu A, Wassie B, Biadglegne F.Evaluation of the efficacy of bleach routinely used in health facilities againstMycobacterium tuberculosisisolates in Ethiopia.Pan Afr Med J.2015;21:317. doi:10.11604/pamj.2015.21.317.5456Marefat N, Ghorani V, Shakeri F, et al.A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects ofAllium cepaand its main constituents.Pharm Biol.2021;59(1):285–300. doi:10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028Pappas DE.The common cold.Princip Pract Pediat Infect Dis.2018:199–202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8Zhu J,Acupoints initiate the healing process.Med Acupunct.2014;26(5):264-70. doi:10.1089/acu.2014.1057Chinesenutrition.org.Green onion in TCM.Sadikan MZ, Asri MN, Hairi HA, Singar SA.Relevance and use of honey and lemon water for cough.Jafarzadeh A, Jafarzadeh S, Nemati M.Therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: Is there enough evidence?J Tradit Chin Med Sci. 2021;8(4):267–79. doi:10.1016/j.jtcms.2021.10.001Panta P, Chatti K, Andhavarapu A.Do saline water gargling and nasal irrigation confer protection against COVID-19?Explore (NY). 2021;17(2):127-129. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2020.09.010U.S. Department of Agriculture.Onions, spring or scallions (includes tops and bulb), raw.Law YY, Chiu HF, Lee HH, Shen YC, Venkatakrishnan K, Wang CK.Consumption of onion juice modulates oxidative stress and attenuates the risk of bone disorders in middle-aged and post-menopausal healthy subjects.Food Funct.2016;7(2):902-12. doi:10.1039/c5fo01251a

National Onion Association.Onions & flu.

Berezow A, Campbell H, LeMieux J, Schow S.The next plague and what science will do to stop it. American Council of Science and Health.

Zhu Y, Huang JP, Zhong JM, Li WT, Xu NG, Liu JH.Biological mechanism of specific relationship between gan (liver) meridian of root-jueyin and genitals.Chin J Integr Med. 2021 ;27(5):384-7. doi:10.1007/s11655-020-3483-y

Jun MH, Kim YM, Kim JU.Modern acupuncture-like stimulation methods: a literature review.Integr Med Res.2015;4(4):195–219. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2015.09.005

Yang C, Li L, Yang L, et al.Anti-obesity and Hypolipidemic effects of garlic oil and onion oil in rats fed a high-fat diet.Nutr Metab (Lond).2018;15:43. doi:10.1186/s12986-018-0275-x

Oklahoma State University.The importance of food pH in commercial canning operations.

Sonugür FG, Babahan C, Abdi Abgarmi S, et al.Incubation temperature and period during denarase treatment and microfiltration affect the yield of recombinant adenoviral vectors during downstream processing.Mol Biotechnol.2023;65:1129-39. doi:10.1007/s12033-022-00616-8

Mekonnen D, Admassu A, Wassie B, Biadglegne F.Evaluation of the efficacy of bleach routinely used in health facilities againstMycobacterium tuberculosisisolates in Ethiopia.Pan Afr Med J.2015;21:317. doi:10.11604/pamj.2015.21.317.5456

Marefat N, Ghorani V, Shakeri F, et al.A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects ofAllium cepaand its main constituents.Pharm Biol.2021;59(1):285–300. doi:10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028

Pappas DE.The common cold.Princip Pract Pediat Infect Dis.2018:199–202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8

Zhu J,Acupoints initiate the healing process.Med Acupunct.2014;26(5):264-70. doi:10.1089/acu.2014.1057

Chinesenutrition.org.Green onion in TCM.

Sadikan MZ, Asri MN, Hairi HA, Singar SA.Relevance and use of honey and lemon water for cough.

Jafarzadeh A, Jafarzadeh S, Nemati M.Therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: Is there enough evidence?J Tradit Chin Med Sci. 2021;8(4):267–79. doi:10.1016/j.jtcms.2021.10.001

Panta P, Chatti K, Andhavarapu A.Do saline water gargling and nasal irrigation confer protection against COVID-19?Explore (NY). 2021;17(2):127-129. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2020.09.010

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Onions, spring or scallions (includes tops and bulb), raw.

Law YY, Chiu HF, Lee HH, Shen YC, Venkatakrishnan K, Wang CK.Consumption of onion juice modulates oxidative stress and attenuates the risk of bone disorders in middle-aged and post-menopausal healthy subjects.Food Funct.2016;7(2):902-12. doi:10.1039/c5fo01251a

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