The claim
The idea gets passed around online every cold season: slice an onion, put the pieces in your socks overnight, and they'll pull toxins and germs out through the soles of your feet.
The verdict
There's no evidence this works. Your feet don't pull toxins out of your body; your liver and kidneys handle that job. Colds are caused by viruses, and an onion against your skin doesn't reach them.
What the research says
- Onions in socksNo evidence
No studies show it shortens or eases a cold. The "detox through the feet" idea doesn't match how the body works.
Bottom line: it won't hurt you, but it won't help either.
What actually helps
- Rest and fluids. Still the basics for a cold.
- Warm drinks. Try honey-ginger throat tea.
- For a sore throat, a salt water gargle.
When to see a doctor
- See a doctor if a cold lasts more than 10 days, or comes with a high fever, trouble breathing, or chest pain.
Sources
- Common Cold, MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Detoxes and Cleanses, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH)