My take may sound weird to medical professionals out there but while this execution may be flawed, the idea itself is valid. What may be at work isn’t the absorption of onions through the skin, but the scent and aroma of the compounds that comes from onions. The scent of onion is linked to organosulfur compounds which have known medicinal properties. These compounds, along with other components like the antioxidant quercetin, are responsible for the onion's pungent aroma and a wide range of potential health benefits. Some of those benefits may include; Respiratory Relief: The expectorant properties in onions can help break down mucus and relieve congestion from colds, coughs, and bronchitis. Antimicrobial Effects: Onion extracts can kill or inhibit the growth of various bacteria (like E. coliand Salmonella), fungi, and viruses. Anti-inflammatory Properties: Specific compounds like quercetin help reduce inflammation throughout the body, potentially easing symptoms of conditions such as arthritis and asthma. The best way to go about this however might not be to attach them to their legs. This might be an overkill. But the idea behind this, has some interesting scientific backing. Not everything should be thrown out as garbage. Our elders might have been crude, but they were up to something. They knew things. I wish we could advocate for more African based research to refine these ideas and build unique treatments of our own for modern day society.