Why Did The Amish Soak Their Feet in Egg Whites

The Amish are composed of ethnic groups who have significant contributions to health and culture since the 16th century. Researchers have long used Amish practices to understand many human illnesses and inherited health conditions. But why did the Amish soak their feet in egg whites?

One of the old Amish remedies many people swear by is using egg whites for fever. It may be a new idea to you, but wearing socks soaked in egg whites is said to reduce the body temperature immediately. It has worked for many people and maybe you could also try this if you need a quick fever reducer.

The Belief

Amish people do not necessarily seek doctors for minor health issues. For them, doctors and hospitals only exist for serious matters and treatment of extended illnesses.

If they or their children have a fever, a holistic approach is used, like the egg white remedy. Accordingly, the egg collects toxins and draws them out of the body. It also reduces any inflammation, which may help reduce and regulate the body temperature.

What Science Says

Presently, the use of egg white-soaked socks as antipyretic is merely anecdotal. There are no scientific studies to validate or assess the claims nor research to provide a better understanding of its mechanisms.

What science has for now, is evidence of the goodness of eggs when taken as a part of a healthy diet. Eating eggs can boost the immune system and speed up recovery when you are sick.

Experts argue that fever runs its natural course and goes away on its own even without treatment. Thus, whether you apply the soaked socks or not, the body temperature will drop at some point.

Fevers normally are not treated. If it is caused by infections, treating the infection will cure the fever. What you do while you have a fever is to make yourself feel comfortable until it subsides.

Despite this, people are still reliant on OTC meds like acetaminophen for quick fever relief.

To mothers looking for a holistic approach, there is no harm in trying the traditional Amish remedy for children. The method is safe and is unlikely to cause any harm although it may be a little messy and sticky to the feel.

One of its rare drawbacks is its potential risk of causing an allergic reaction in people with egg and egg white allergies. Highly sensitive individuals can develop an allergic reaction just by coming in contact with eggshells and raw eggs.

One of the most surprising (and super effective) tricks the Amish use to bring down a fever and feel better—without touching antibiotics or chemical-filled pills—is something their kids affectionately call “the Anti-Fever Socks.”

You only need two items for this recipe: a pair of socks and some vinegar. Take the socks, soak them in vinegar, then put them on your feet and sleep in them.

The vinegar helps decrease body temperature while also drawing out the toxins. Eddie even put together a video just for you, where he breaks down this Amish practice. It’s something you can try the next time a cold or flu sneaks up on you!

Other Uses of Egg Whites

Egg whites are popularly used as face masks because of their skin-tightening effect. But, its benefits are not confined to lowering fever or tightening the skin only. You may also use egg whites for the following uses:

Wound Healing

Egg white is excellent in initiating wound healing and tissue regeneration. It may also help prevent skin infection by giving the skin a protective barrier and reducing the risk of contamination.

Some studies investigate the invention of egg white and egg white fractions for wound dressing and prevention of tissue damage.

Egg white peptides (EWP) are also proven to ameliorate skin damage. It may inhibit inflammation and shorten the inflammatory phase. EWP also increases tissue regeneration to promote faster wound healing.

Prevention of Bacterial Growth

Conalbumin, or ovotransferrin, the iron-binding protein in chicken egg whites, may inhibit bacterial growth. It is the same component protecting the yolk from bacterial contamination as it develops.

Egg white hydrolysate peptide may be beneficial in treating infections such as acne when used topically.

For more serious wounds, or when you’d want a more potent, the Amish were using something different. A strange-looking lichen that you’ve probably seen hanging from old or dying trees. It’s called Usnea, and herbalists usually make a poultice with it to fight bacterial skin infections.

You can forage it yourself. However, if you’d like to skip that time-consuming process and have this remedy in your medicinal cabinet… I recommend just one retailer that impressed me with the high quality and potency, compared to the cheapest price on the market. You can check out the Usnea Tincture Spray here.

Supporting Skin Health

Egg whites are popularly used in skin and hair care regimens for their many benefits. It can tone and lift sagging skin and tighten the pores. By closing the pores, egg whites help prevent the buildup of pores to treat acne, blackheads and other skin problems.

Fighting Cancer

If you are undergoing chemotherapy or facing cancer, you may be advised to include eggs in your daily diet. Egg white peptides can affect immunomodulatory and inflammatory activities and may decrease the invasion of cancer cells. However, further studies are needed to confirm its safety, activity and stability for cancer recovery.

Treating Minor Burns

Applying egg white to burns can soothe the inflammation and serve as the dressing and second skin.  A clinical trial study conducted in 2019 concluded that an ointment-based egg white may treat second-degree burns and improve chronic recovery rate.

Using egg as a remedy in this case is helpful, but not the most comfortable way to help your body heal it’s burns. Especially if you go out somewhere, or even inside your house, the smell of raw eggs can get disgusting after a while. I personally use something that’s more… comfortable.

I made a homemade salve that I also use for rashes and minor cuts. It’s made with the most regenerative plants you can find in nature: Yarrow, Arnica, Calendula, Plantain and lavender (for it’s calming scent). I love foraging, and I love gathering everything I need for my own remedies.

But if you’re not the same and you’d like a salve with the same ingredients, I recommend the one from this apothecary.

Lowering Fever With Egg Whites

Egg whites are used as a compress or poultice to ease fever without using an OTC fever medicine. It is applied on the sole of the feet to be absorbed quickly, as you do with essential oils. The soles do not have sebum, and its pores are highly absorbent, which enables the remedy to act faster.

Here’s how you can lower fever with egg whites:

What You Will Need

• 2 eggs
• Old socks
• Bowl

Steps

1. Crack the eggs in a bowl or a deep plate, leaving the yolks.
2. Whisk the egg whites until frothy.
3. Dip the socks until the bottom is fully saturated.

To Use: Wear the soaked socks and change them with freshly soaked ones when they get warm. Repeat the process until the body temperature is within the normal range. Apply the method if the temperature spikes again.

Alternatively, you can soak a paper towel if you are not fond of covering your feet with a sticky mess. Place the paper towel on your sole and wear a sock or cover it with a saran wrap.

Treating Fever the Amish Way

Fevers are not bad. They are just an immune response to bacteria or viruses that cause an illness. Low-grade fevers are harmless, but persistent ones often need medical attention to identify the cause.

Keeping comfortable through resting and hydration helps ease its discomfort.

Some herbs may also help in the effective management of fever. These include diaphoretic herbs that induce sweat, and antipyretic or febrifuge that reduces the body temperature. Some of the best herbs for managing fever are:

• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
• Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
• Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
• Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)
• Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
• Echinacea (Echinacea pupurea)

Here’s how you can grow your own pesticide-free plants to lower your fever.

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