There are many old wives’ tales that we have heard throughout the years. Many wonder if there is any substance to these old health remedies.
Many of the things we actually eat can help us with our health and assist us in getting better. Lots of the old wives’ tales deal with medicinal foods and remedies.
Some studies have found that garlic likely has medicinal powers for a wide variety of ailments. However, you may not want to kiss your mate after eating a lot of the smelly herb.
If you cut onion and rub it on insect bites, it takes away the sting. Some have tried it on wasp and ant bites and it works instantly, according to one internet report.
Onions have more than 25 different flavonoids. They also have antioxidant properties and are high in vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system. The antioxidants in onions may also reduce bone loss and osteoporosis that often occurs with aging.
There is some evidence that quercetin has antibacterial properties.
Another vegetable plant you may not think about using is cabbage. Yes, it makes great slaw or sauerkraut, but it can also have other uses. When placed on the chest, cold cabbage relieves mastitis pain for women while they are nursing. It sounds like an old wives’ tale, but it has proven to be true.
The idea of using a cabbage leaf might seem peculiar at first, but it served a practical purpose for baseball great Babe Ruth. Baseball games can be tough in the hot summer months. They last for a while under the scorching sun. In order to maintain focus and endure the heat, players often seek a way to cool themselves down. And that is where the cabbage leaf comes into play.
Cabbage leaves have a natural ability to retain moisture, making them an ideal choice for a makeshift cooling device. By placing a cabbage leaf under his cap, Ruth could benefit from its cooling properties. I have seen other players use this throughout the years.
I am not much of a coffee drinker, but I like my tea. This drink can help you with certain ailments.
Mint tea actually helps with stomach pain.
Green tea is one of the world’s favorite teas, second only to black tea, and has a lot of positives. It can be served hot or cold and is refreshing and soothing.
Green tea has one of the highest concentrations of L-theanine, an amino acid that can alleviate anxiety and stress. Some studies say it can help with cognitive decline and even help lower cholesterol.
Many of us have heard this old saying over the years: Feed a cold, starve a fever. The original saying was “feed a cold, stave a fever,” with stave meaning to prevent. Fasting just makes you weak, so even if you do not feel like eating, at least have some chicken soup, as it could help.
Studies say chicken soup really helps with colds. How many of your mothers gave you chicken noodle soup when you were sick in your early years? Studies say eating chicken soup can help alleviate cold symptoms.
It’s not just about comfort; chicken soup helps keep you hydrated and provides essential nutrients during illness, making it a nourishing choice for recovery.
Gargling with salt water helps a sore throat as well as tooth and gum issues. With my recent bout with the flu and sore throat, my healthcare professional told me to gargle with warm salt water. It did help. I get a scratchy throat because of seasonal allergies, so I will do the same then too.
My dad always told me about carrots. He said while in the Army, they made them eat a lot of carrots. The orange carrots can improve vision. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is beneficial for eye health. They can also be good for your skin, especially for fair-skinned people like me.
One old wives’ tale that is not true, according to an article on the internet, is that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis: While it may annoy others, cracking your knuckles does not lead to arthritis.
Speaking of arthritis, when rain is coming, do your joints hurt? Maybe you have that trick knee or arthritis like me. Many have rolled their eyes and laughed when an old-timer said their arthritis was acting up because it was going to rain. That foresight by your elders is true. Some studies have shown that changes in atmospheric pressure preceding rain can indeed affect joints, making this old wives’ tale surprisingly accurate.
I wish there were a good natural cure for this kind of joint pain!
The warning against showering during a lightning storm is not just a superstition. Lightning can potentially travel through plumbing, posing a risk of electrocution. So, when thunder roars, it might be wise to postpone that shower.
This is a new one I found in my research, but when you think about it, it makes sense.
Placing jaundiced babies on window sills until their color returns might sound funny, but many old-timers attest to its legitimacy. Nurses used this method in the past, harnessing the power of natural sunlight to help alleviate jaundice in newborns.
And finally, how many of you have had the hiccups and had a hard time getting rid of them?
One trick for when you have the hiccups that seems to work is to drink a tall glass of cold water while gently massaging your throat.
I have also heard a spoonful of peanut butter can stop hiccups. I tried this and it worked.
No doubt you have heard many old remedies or wives’ tales growing up in Appalachia. So do not always shake your head and giggle. There may just be something to them.
Until next time.
(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)