The science behind ancient myths

Whatever we bring out, our elders have a chain of events that narrates the consequence we may face for doing some actions. Everyone should have experienced it once in a lifetime. This kind of superstition has persisted for a long run. But we have to think about why our ancestors used these types of meaningless excuses. Deep down, every myth has at least one scientific reason. Now we are going to look at those reasons. 

 

Why do people greet (Namaste)?

The togetherness of two palms is a gesture of greeting someone in Indian culture. This gesture is showing deference, reverence and love. This sign in yoga is called “Anjali mudra”. Each finger has its unique energy. When you join the palms together, it gives pressure to the nerves, provides calmness to that person, and stimulates us to remember the person we greeted for a long time. This gesture also has the advantage which is to avoid the transformation of pathogens.

 

 

Why do people consider the crossing of a black cat as a bad sign?

In ancient days Merchants used horse carts for transportation. Those days have no electricity and roads, so they travel through the forest areas for shortcuts. At that time, wild cats with sparkling eyes menacing the horses lead to accidents. Due to this, black cats seem to be a bad sign.

 

 

Why do people say relatives would come home if crows caw?

In ancient days sailors didn’t have the compass to find directions, so they used crows for their directions. If they take the wrong path, they open the cage and go along with the crow to find the topographic. The people on the land surface realize that new people will come if a crow comes and caws.

 

Married women are applying sindoor on their forehead. Why?

Mercury and turmeric are used to make sindoor which lowers blood pressure and enhances the sexual drive. Because of this, widows don’t apply the sindoor. Sindoor relieves stress and anxiety.

 

 

Why do we keep tulsi plants at home?

Tulsi is also called sacred or Holy basil. It is significant both spiritually and scientifically. Spiritually, Tulsi is regarded as the avatar of Lakshmi. She is the goddess of lakshya, love, wealth, Maya, fortune, beauty, and prosperity. She is a consort of Lord Vishnu. Scientifically it has a significant role in human health. It produces oxygen for a prolonged time and keeps the air fresh and harmless. It also absorbs harmful gases; examples are sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Daily consumption of tulsi leaves elevates immunity and relieves stress. It also cures common cold. The Tulsi plant keeps mosquitoes, insects, and even snakes away from home.

 

 

Why did our ancestors wear talismans?

Ancestors wore talismans to protect against negativity and evil spirits. But it is a myth. There is a scientific reason for it. Those days our ancestors store the umbilical cord of the infants in that talisman. After the child grows up, if that child has any accidents or fatal diseases, uses the umbilical cord to treat that child—the umbilical cord stored as a dried powder. If any treatment is required, the powder is dissolved in water and used for treatment. This is now called stem cell therapy.

 

 

North is not the best sleeping position. Why?

If we are sleeping in the north direction, it is believed that we invite evil. It is a myth, but there is a scientific reason behind this myth. The earth has its magnetic fields, and also humans have their magnetic fields. The iron in the body sort out and coagulate in the brain and lead to unpleasantness due to people’s sleep located on the north side, and it will show the magnetic fields to repulse each other. It will cause Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and several neurological problems to our body.

 

Why do we worship peepal trees? 

It has no wooden timber, tasty food and also has fewer health benefits. But, our ancestors knew that peepal trees produce oxygen throughout the day. So they thought that there should be nothing damaging or wrong with them. So they consider a peepal tree to have more spiritual significance.

 

People throw coins into the river. Why?

In Ancient days, rivers were water bodies for people, and in those days, coins were made up of copper. Proper amounts of copper to the body had the effects of iron absorption. Copper and iron helps to produce red blood cells and maintain healthy bones, nerves, blood vessels, and increase immunity. In addition, it has the properties to prevent cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. Furthermore, throwing copper coins into the river enables dust particles settlement, giving more clean drinking water.

 

Why do people hang chillies and lemons on the gateway? 

Most people do the hanging of lemon and chillies on their doorway to prevent Kan Drishti (Tamil language), Which means one’s sudden growth on something will cause others to get jealous, and it is believed to cause bad luck for that person. To avoid this, hanging chillies and lemon is done. This is a myth. Ancient days had no electricity, so our ancestors used lamplight. Due to the lack of brightness, we can’t see the dangerous insects or snakes there. If they bite the people, they use the chillies and the lemon for first aid. Chillies help find if the venom propagates the entire body or not, and the lemon gives freshness to our bodies. Turmeric on the lemon is a potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant used to coat the wound. Even the thread is used to prevent the propagation of venom to the whole body.

 

Even in our modern days, many of our elders are believing myths beyond science. So we have to spread awareness about the science behind these myths. Kindly share this with everyone to know the facts to understand what they should do.