evidence: Currently, scientific evidence does not support the claim that applying onions to a part of the body, such as feet, could cure illness. Scientific evidence also does not support the claim that cut onions can absorb viruses and bacteria in a room. Onions have many health benefits that have been scientifically studied and proven, but no studies have been conducted to support the above claims. [...] Research has been done to assess the ancient (primarily Chinese) practice of foot reflexology, which connects to the claim that putting onions on the feet could help relieve illness. A review of foot reflexology studies showed little evidence that foot reflexology is an effective practice for treating most medical conditions. Some research shows that it could actually make some conditions worse. However, the overall quality of research on reflexology is very low overall. [...] 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. While onions have some known medicinal properties, there is no scientific evidence about the above claims, and these are largely considered to be myths.