Onions placed on foot soles can relieve flu, cough, cold : Onions placed on foot soles can relieve flu, cough, cold : Along the way in researching remedies I ran across information regarding onions being used to reduce fever and take away symptoms commonly associated with flu and colds. Onions sliced and placed in wool or cotton socks and applied to the feet. It also recommended sliced onions in a bowl by the bed. It is believed that the onions have the capacity to draw out the fever. It really sounded too simple. I have used many natural methods for illnesses, but this one seemed to boarder on just plain weird.