Old wives’ tales often get a bad rap for being outdated or unscientific, but some of these age-old nuggets of wisdom have surprisingly solid grounding in truth. From remedies that soothe ailments to practices that promote well-being, many of these tales have stood the test of time for good reason. Let’s explore a few old wives’ tales that are not only charmingly nostalgic but also backed by science or practical experience.
Avoid showering during a lightning storm
This is one old wives’ tale you should definitely take seriously. When a building is struck by lightning, the electricity often travels through wires or plumbing. Since water is a great conductor of electricity, it’s wise to avoid not just showering, but also doing dishes, washing your hands, or flushing the toilet during a lightning storm.
Salty-tasting brows may indicate cystic fibrosis
Believe it or not, a person with cystic fibrosis might have a noticeably salty forehead, which could be detected by someone kissing them. This saltiness occurs because the defective gene responsible for cystic fibrosis disrupts the movement of water and chloride in and out of cells. When this process malfunctions, chloride crystallizes into salt on the skin’s surface.
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Use ammonia to ease mosquito bites
While you might not want to resort to urinating on your mosquito bites, it’s true that diluted ammonia can help relieve itching. Ammonia works by breaking down the proteins in mosquito saliva that cause the itching sensation. Fortunately, many over-the-counter remedies already contain ammonia, so you don’t need to make your own solution.
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Cut up onions to ease those insect bites
Instead of using ammonia-containing drugstore remedies for mosquito (and other insect) bites, you could always follow the old wives’ tale that advises rubbing a cut onion against the affected area. This remedy can be effective because a damaged (i.e., cut) onion releases compounds that include bite-easing ammonia.
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Heartburn during pregnancy means your baby has a full head of hair
A newborn with a full head of hair always gets attention. According to an old wives’ tale, the amount of heartburn a mother experiences during pregnancy can predict how much hair her baby will have. Surprisingly, there might be some truth to this: the hormone progesterone, which can cause heartburn, is also linked to fetal hair growth.
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They say red sky at night, sailors’ delight
“Red sky at night, sailors’ delight; red sky in the morning, sailors’ warning” is more than just an old wives’ tale. For seafarers (and shepherds, in another variation), this has long been practical meteorological advice. A red sky at night occurs when high pressure traps dust and small particles in the atmosphere, which typically indicates a spell of good weather.
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Put your jaundiced baby on that windowsill
Jaundice is common in newborn babies. While the old advice to “put them on a windowsill” to soak up some sunshine wasn’t bad, nowadays we typically use special light boxes in hospitals. This treatment helps break down the excess bilirubin in their blood, which causes the yellow color, until the baby’s liver matures enough to handle it on its own.
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Redheads require more anesthetic
Scientists agree: people with red hair often do require more anesthetic than those with other hair colors. This is due to a gene mutation—MC1R—that affects their sensitivity to pain and sedation. As a result, individuals with this mutation may need as much as 20% more anesthetic to achieve the appropriate level of sedation.
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Frog skin can kill bacteria
Whatever your thoughts on animal testing, science is now relatively clear that certain substances in frog skin are effective at killing some types of bacteria. These include Salmonella and Staphylococcus bacteria, which, in some tests, were killed as efficiently by substances from frog skin as by traditional antibiotics.
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Chicken soup really does heal
Long recommended as a cure for various physical ailments and providing a welcome psychological boost, chicken soup is often touted as a miracle remedy. This might not be too far off the mark, especially for colds. Chicken soup is rich in carnosine, a substance that helps ease the stuffy, congested feeling commonly associated with respiratory infections.
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Don’t allow a baby eat from your flatware
If you’re going to let your baby eat from your plate, at least give them their own flatware, as shown in the picture above. The old wives’ tale that babies can get sick from using adult forks and spoons has some truth to it. Sharing flatware can allow adults to easily pass cavity-causing bacteria to babies.
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Garlic’s medicinal powers
It might not be the best plan if you’re trying to seduce a new lover, but garlic’s medicinal properties are no old wives’ tale. Garlic is rich in allicin, a powerful antibacterial agent, especially when eaten raw. Additionally, it’s believed to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart attacks, and even promote bone health.
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Cabbage leaves will relieve mastitis
The “old wife” who advised you to stuff a cabbage leaf in your bra to ease the pain of mastitis knew a thing or two. Common while breastfeeding, mastitis can be extremely painful, but cabbage leaves are surprisingly effective at reducing inflammation and swelling. Although the exact reason is still unknown, many women find significant relief using this simple remedy.
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Don’t change the cat litter tray if you’re pregnant
Pregnant women have a valid reason to pass the task of changing the cat litter tray to someone else. Cat feces can carry an infection called toxoplasmosis, which is particularly dangerous to developing fetuses. Other common sources of this infection include raw or partially cooked pork, lamb, or venison.
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Sitting too close to the TV damages the eyes
Moms used to warn against sitting too close to the TV, saying it would damage your eyes. While there’s no evidence that close-up screen viewing causes long-term harm, it can lead to temporary eye strain. That’s why it’s important to take regular breaks from screens, whether you’re using your TV, laptop, or tablet.
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Honey is good topical medicine
You probably already know that honey can indeed treat certain mild skin conditions. Its natural antibacterial properties help fight wound infections and reduce odor caused by high levels of bacteria. However, it’s best to use sterilized honey rather than regular table honey, which may contain problematic spores.
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Mint tea works great for stomach issues
Whether you’re dealing with pregnancy nausea, indigestion, or stomach cramps, a cup of soothing mint tea is worth a try, as generations of “old wives” have suggested. Peppermint acts as an antispasmodic, helping to relax the gut walls. This can alleviate nausea, ease indigestion, and soothe cramps.
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Gargle salt water to ease that sore throat
Although gargling with salt water won’t kill an infection, it can reduce bacterial load, ease pain, and help break up mucus. Use warm water to help the salt dissolve, and be sure not to swallow any of the mixture.
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Morning sickness means it’s more likely a girl
No one is exactly sure why, but several scientific studies have supported the old wives’ tale that severe morning sickness is more often associated with carrying a female fetus—especially the most severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum. Hormonal changes during early pregnancy affect women carrying both boys and girls, and these fluctuations can contribute to morning sickness regardless of the baby’s sex.
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Spicy food can cause ulcers
Despite what you might have been told, there’s little evidence to support the idea that spicy food causes ulcers. However, a diet rich in chilies and other spicy foods can exacerbate existing ulcer symptoms. So, if you don’t already have ulcers, you can likely enjoy spicy meals without much concern.
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Baby boys result in longer labor
Surprisingly, statistics support this idea: baby boys are generally more challenging to deliver. On average, the active part of labor takes less than six hours for girls but more than six hours for boys. Additionally, one study found that forceps are used in 23% of boy births compared to 19% of girl births.
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Use walnuts to remove scratches on furniture
Like any nut, walnuts are rich in natural oils. However, walnuts stand out when it comes to wooden furniture. Their oils are particularly effective at disguising minor scratches and enhancing the overall appearance of the wood.
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Chocolate eases menstrual cramps
As many people who experience menstruation can attest, chocolate really does help. This isn’t just a psychological effect; science supports it. Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids, is rich in antioxidants that studies show can help alleviate menstrual cramps and provide relief.
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Fish is food for the brain
We’re advised to eat fish—especially oily fish—for good reason: it’s an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are highly beneficial for brain function. However, pregnant women should proceed with caution, as some types of oily fish are very high in mercury, which can be harmful to the developing fetus.
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Chocolate can lead to acne
The idea that chocolate causes acne has been a long-standing belief, often used to encourage teenagers to clean up their diet. While reducing high-sugar and high-fat foods can have general health benefits, there’s no strong evidence linking chocolate specifically to acne.
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Coffee stunts growth
Another common concern for young people is coffee consumption. While excessive caffeine is best avoided in a child’s diet, it won’t affect growth. However, studies suggest that caffeine can limit the absorption of important nutrients, such as calcium.
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Cats steal air from the mouth of babies
This old wives’ tale dates back to a time when unmarried women, who often kept cats for companionship, were viewed with suspicion. Such women were sometimes accused of witchcraft, which could have dire consequences for both them and their cats. While no cat can actually “steal” anyone’s breath—whether a baby or not—it’s still wise to supervise them around young children to ensure their safety.
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Wearing shoes can help a baby learn to walk
Whether it’s out of eagerness to see their baby reach a milestone or simply to buy cute footwear, some parents are very keen to put shoes on their young babies. However, despite what anyone might say, shoes won’t help babies learn to walk any faster. In fact, they can hinder the development of foot muscles and natural walking patterns. It’s generally best to let babies walk barefoot or in soft, flexible shoes until they are walking confidently and need more support.
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Extra weight out front means a baby girl
Once a pregnant woman starts showing, she often faces guesses from even perfect strangers about whether she’s carrying a boy or a girl. Many of these guesses are based on how she carries the baby—such as a neat bump at the front being thought to indicate a boy. However, this is a myth. The way a woman carries her baby is influenced by her body size and shape, not the baby’s sex.
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Feed that cold, but starve the fever
There’s some limited truth to this old wives’ tale, at least regarding colds. A good diet can be helpful in fighting off infections, including the flu and colds. Additionally, staying well-hydrated is important for overall health and recovery.
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Don’t ever wake a sleepwalker
This piece of “advice” has assumed almost mythic proportions, stemming from the idea that suddenly waking a sleepwalker can be dangerous to themselves or others. In reality, there’s no truth to this. Sleepwalkers can be safely wakened and should be wakened if they seem likely to hurt themselves during their nocturnal wandering.
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Don’t shave your legs
Many young girls noticing the growth of hair on their legs and under their arms are warned against shaving by mothers who claim that the hair will grow back darker and faster if they do so. However, this isn’t true. Shaving doesn’t change the color or speed of hair growth; it simply makes new growth appear coarser, which may be where the myth originated.
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Dog hair eases a hangover
Whatever the preferred tipple, the notion that a specific alcoholic drink can ease the pain of a hangover is an old wives’ tale that persists in many corners of society. While it may provide temporary relief (likely due to an endorphin boost), it offers no long-term benefit whatsoever.
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Swallowed gum stays in the gut for seven years
Here’s another old wives’ tale used to scare children into behaving as their elders want: the idea that swallowing chewing gum means it will stay in their guts for seven years. In reality, the digestive system is too efficient for that. Swallowed gum is usually excreted within a few days.
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Eat a watermelon seed and you’ll grow a watermelon
There’s a certain appeal to this old wives’ tale, but anyone with basic scientific knowledge should be able to dispel it. No seed could survive the hostile, acidic environment of the stomach. Even if a seed could germinate, it would require sunlight and nutrients to survive, which are unavailable in the human digestive system.
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Cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis
Cracking your knuckles almost certainly irritates some of the people around you, and perhaps this irritation is where the myth comes from. At worst, a knuckle-cracking habit might cause temporary discomfort and a little swelling, but it won’t cause arthritis.
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Having wet hair in cold weather makes you sick
Did your mother or grandmother ever react in horror to the idea of you going outside in the cold with wet hair? It’s sweet that she was concerned for your welfare, but really, all you were risking was a little discomfort. There’s no scientific evidence to support the idea that wet hair plus cold weather equals illness.
Carrots improve your vision in the dark
The idea that carrots help you see in the dark is a powerful one. It even featured in WWII propaganda leaflets in wartime Britain to encourage people to eat plenty of carrots, which were cheap and readily available. While carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is important for eye health, they won’t actually give you night vision.
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Avoid swimming after eating
This famous adage stems from the idea that digestion diverts blood from the muscles, potentially causing fatal consequences for a swimmer. However, scientists are clear that there’s no scientific basis for this idea. At worst, a swimmer might experience mild cramping after eating, but there are no serious risks involved.
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