We’ve all wondered if there’s a kernel of truth to those quirky old wives’ tales from yesteryear. It turns out some of their nuggets of wisdom found a bit of scientific support over the years.
It’s easy to dismiss the folklore passed down through generations as superstitions. We meander through a society inundated with fake news, and advancements in AI technology leave us wondering what is actually real anymore.
Our journey to uncover the truth behind what these old wives were slinging is no random stroll down folklore lane. We’ve carefully selected each one and scrutinized it for its intriguing overlap with scientific principles.
Chewing Gum Helps Counteract Carsickness
We all have those friends who make us consider installing barf bag dispensers in our cars. However, thanks to the old wives, a simpler and cheaper solution might be to offer a piece of chewing gum.
Motion sickness often happens when signals about movement get confused in our inner ear. One study examined the alleviating effects of chewing gum when exposed to virtual reality. It found that chewing gum reduced visually induced motion sickness by mechanically stimulating part of our vestibular system called the mastoid. So, keep a pack of Juicy Fruit tucked in the glove box.
A Spoonful of Sugar Does Help the Medicine Go Down
Bust out the sugar bowl. Mary Poppins might be more of a young and hip British nanny than an old wife slinging wisdom, but her advice is just as on point. A study by Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital found that a small amount of sweet solution soothes infants during vaccinations.
The doctor and her team observed reduced crying and discomfort when administering the vaccines accompanied by less than half a teaspoon of sugar. This news doesn’t affect my eldest child, who oddly loves to scarf down medicine sans chaser. My youngest, on the other hand, welcomes the findings.
Rub Some Honey on That Wound
We self-professed home chefs understand the madness of the kitchen–slicing, dicing, and taming the flames to get dinner on the table. Occasionally, we grab that scalding hot cast iron skillet without a potholder—realizing the error of our ways rather quickly. However, one remedy might be sitting right there in the pantry.
Research indicates that honey can expedite the healing of partial-thickness burns and even outperform standard dressings by approximately 4 to 5 days. Some hospitals have even started incorporating it into specific wound care treatments due to its antimicrobial properties. What a sweet way to address the situation.
Onions as Holistic Bee Sting Relief
What if we told you that onions are the ultimate cure for bee stings? Don’t believe us? Start dicing away and get those tears forming. The emotional release and the onion’s healing properties wash the bee sting pain away. Okay, that’s not how it works at all. It’s called satire, folks.
However, the old wives were on to something here. One factual study revealed that beekeepers often turn to unconventional onion remedies to mitigate the dangers of bee stings. Applying onion directly to the sting area works like a charm.
Your Joints Start To Hurt When Rain Is on the Way
The old wives were convinced that their aching joints accurately predicted the weather. That’s right—they didn’t need Al Roker, scientific explanations, or even a peer through the window to know rain was coming. However, they might have reached for a bottle of Aspirin if it was available.
According to unsubstantiated scientific theory, when the barometric pressure around us changes, it may cause swelling in the muscles, tendons, and tissues near our joints. This swelling might then put pressure on the joints, leading to feelings of discomfort or pain. We like the old wives’ version better.
Red Sky at Night, Sailors’ Delight
We’ve all heard the saying, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight, Red sky in morning, sailor’s take warning.” Maybe you’ve heard it regarding shepherds. If you’re like me, you might personalize the phrase as a parent’s delight, ushering the kids into the backyard while grabbing a coffee and the latest novel you’re reading.
However, the old saying holds weight and has scientific backing. Since weather typically moves west to east, high-pressure systems follow and bring clear skies. At sunset, this clearing illuminates clouds in red, signaling fair weather ahead. Atmospheric particles under high pressure intensify the red hue.
Garlic’s Medicinal Properties Guard Against Various Ailments
This one generally has the opposite effect on the vampires among us. We suggest taking this with a grain of salt if you have an unusual nocturnal nature or struggle to see your reflection in the mirror. Also, skip the grain of salt when facing blood pressure issues.
Remember when Larry King did those paid testimonials for “Garlique” garlic pills? Sure, it was a cash grab, but there’s some weight to garlic’s medicinal properties. Research shows that Garlic guards against numerous conditions, such as cancer, heart issues, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Bring on the stinky breath, and invest in some strong mouthwash.
Carrots Are Good for Your Eyes
We don’t recommend threatening blindness over a plate of uneaten carrots, although we refrain from judging anyone’s parenting tactics within reason. However, we think the old wives have a relatively decent track record regarding food—from chicken soup to carrots and everything in between.
Nevertheless, while eating carrots faster than Bugs Bunny won’t likely boost our vision, their high beta-carotene content has eye health benefits. The folks at Mount Sinai confirm that our bodies convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is crucial to overall eye function. So, eat your carrots. We’re pretty sure carrot cake qualifies.
You Can Actually Catch a Cold From Being out in the Cold
My grandmother lived with our family for years during my childhood. She made this arrangement primarily to ensure we always had socks on and partially because she had insurmountable credit card debt. She still haunts me about the socks, and maybe for good reason.
Studies suggest that colder environments may increase our susceptibility to catching a cold. In one experiment, folks who submerged their feet in cold water reported experiencing cold-like symptoms five days later, more frequently than the control group. Coincidence? We think not. Grandmothers are always right.
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Ever wonder how that rickety 73-year-old teacher keeps up with the 5th graders? It might be all those apples we keep piling on their desks. Okay, maybe that’s more of a dying cliche. Nevertheless, we’re arguing that teachers (and everyone else) should keep gobbling up those apples.
While the apple-a-day theory is debatable regarding cutting ties with our PCP, it might clear up some space in our medicine cabinets and keep the doctor at bay rather than fully away. Research shows that adults consuming an apple daily require fewer prescriptions. It seems to us that fewer prescriptions constitute fewer doctor visits.
Eating Cheese Before Bed Leads to Wild Dreams
Most of us probably didn’t know there was such a job as holding office as secretary of a government cheese board, and if we did, we’d likely have started a GoFundMe to get elected. Nevertheless, the lucky soul who got the gig participated in an NPR interview about one study regarding the link between cheese and wild dreams.
Nigel White shared that those who ate blue cheese reported the most vivid and outlandish dreams. Fans of cheddar varieties reported dreams about celebrities. As an avid cheddar eater, I cannot attest to the celebrity dreams, but I might have eaten my way through to immunity.
Full Moon Does Make People Slightly Nuttier
While likely not on the level of turning your mother-in-law into a werewolf, folks do act a little more bizarre when we’re tucked up under a full moon—mostly due to sleep deprivation. Many studies corroborate that we find it more difficult to sleep around the time of a full moon. However, how does that translate to people acting nutty?
Science doesn’t support the claims that a full moon directly influences behavior. Perhaps it’s more like a media-fuel, lack of sleep combination that makes us act a little more reckless.
Wooden Spoons Prevent Your Pot From Boiling Over
The way you cook spaghetti is about to change. If you’re anything like me, you’ve stood by the stove for years, defending against the relentless ambush of the scalding bubble attack—no more hot lava water. We’re putting our wooden spoons on the front lines.
Bring on the science. A study at the University of California, Berkeley reveals that different materials create bubbles with membranes of varying thickness. These determine the bubble’s stability level. As we know, bubbles in a pot of boiling water are quite unstable. The bubbles pop when they meet the wooden spoon (a water-resistant material). At that point, the water level retreats back into the pot. Victory is ours.
