19 Popular Old Wives’ Tales: True Or False?

These are things that we’ve been told over and over again throughout the years – but are any of these old wives’ tales actually true? Why not find out..?

1. Putting earwax on a cold sore will speed up its healing process

True: Earwax has anti-herpes, anti-micrococcus and anti-staphylococcal properties (easy for us to say…not!). Apply earwax directly on a cold sore and in time it’ll stop the tingling and pain.

2. Sitting on a cold wall gives you piles

False: Piles are far more likely to be the result of pregnancy, straining due to constipation or childbirth. Getting a chilly bum does not cause them!

3. Chicken soup makes you better

True(ish): Chicken soup won’t actually cure a cold, however, scientists have found that chicken soup reduces inflammation by slowing down the white blood cell activity responsible for inflammation, which can relieve symptoms.

4. Two blue-eyed parents can’t produce a brown-eyed child

False: Blue-eyed Mum and Dad can have a child with brown eyes, but it’s rare. Also, two brown-eyed parents can have a child with blue eyes, but again this is uncommon.

5. Cows lie down when it’s going to rain

True(ish): Researchers found that cows stand up for longer periods when it’s hot, proving a link between their behavior and the weather. It’s also suggested that cows lie down when it’s colder, which is often what happens to the climate just before it rains.