Have you ever been told to gargle with salt water when you have a sore throat or stop drinking milk when you have a virus or cold? These old wives' tales have been passed from generation to generation by our good-willed parents and elders, who—bless their hearts—believe every word.
While some have been proven to be pretty nifty, Dr Imran Dasoo confirmed that not all have any medical validity.
An onion in your sock a day keeps the doctor away?
Many believe placing onion slices inside your sock can heal you from a cold or fever. Dr Dassoo, however, says this is not true.
According to the doctor, onions "definitely have anti-microbial qualities which work against all bugs."
"However, putting it in your sock won't do much. The benefit lies in eating it," Dr Dasoo shares, adding that the onion should be fresh.
Hunger heals? Starve a cold, feed a fever
This old adage advises people sick with a fever not to eat to lower their body temperature.
This Dasoo advises against.
Dassoo, who advises people not to stop eating when they have a fever, shared:
The body needs energy found in nutrient-dense foods to function.
He notes that illness may often cause a loss of appetite but that people should aim to stay hydrated and avoid sugary and unhealthy foods.
Going outside with wet hair can make you catch a cold
Dr Dasoo says there is some truth in this. According to Dasoo, a sharp change in the body's temperature—e.g., going from a hot shower to cold outside air—does impact the immune system.
"You don't actually catch a cold from going outside with wet hair. However, significant temperature variations can suppress your immune system. You may catch a cold or flu much easier because your body went from hot to cold too fast."
Old wives medical myths
Having a bowl of chicken soup when you're ill has many benefits. (Westend61/Getty Images)
Avoid dairy products when you have a cold
"Simply not true," shares Dasoo, who adds that dairy products contain proteins that strengthen your immune system. He also adds that people who are ill are only advised to avoid dairy products if they make them nauseous or affect their ability to take their medication.
A salty cure: Gargling with salt water cures a sore throat
This old wives' tale has existed for aeons, and according to Dr. Dassoo, this isn't a bad thing. He shares that saltwater, or saline, has antiseptic properties and can help eliminate viruses in the mucus that usually forms in the throat.
The doctor says:
Saltwater definitely has benefits and has been used for many years in the fight against viruses due to its antiseptic properties.
Chicken soup to cure a cold
According to Dasoo, chicken soup can't exactly cure a cold, but it has a plethora of nutritional benefits—especially when one is feeling under the weather. "Chicken soup broth is highly nutritional and high in protein. The soup also improves hydration."
Getting a flu shot will give you the flu
This one is not true, says Dasoo."The vaccine stimulates the body's immune system to recognise the germ. So, the next time the body experiences the germ, it recognises it and is able to react to it."
He explains that the vaccine is a weakened form of the germ injected into the body; this, he shares, may result in one feeling some symptoms of a cold. This, however, happens very rarely.
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