1. Lemon and chilies to repel bad energy

The theory that there is positive and negative energy in our surroundings, and inside people — was highly debatable and questionable. But recently scientists have proved that there does exist a certain type of energy inside the minds of people, and it is also driven by the environment that they stay in.

In ancient times (and even today), no one would want bad energies lingering around their homes. So, people would use one lemon and seven green chillies, tie them together and hang them outside their home, preferably near the main door.

However, the actual reason behind this practice was:

In ancient times primarily (when this practice began), people did not dwell in advanced or developed cities, but they lived in small villages surrounded by dense jungles. And India is a land with a lot of snakes and other dangerous animals/insects, so it was possible to be bitten by something and die without help.

But having this practice around, it became easier for people to find which insect/snake bite was venomous. It is a known fact that after a venomous sting, taste buds don’t work as nerves are paralysed. If the taste of lemon/chilli can be identified by the victim, that means the bite isn’t venomous, and the person might not need immediate medical attention.

Also, capsaicin — which is a chemical commonly found in chillies, is considered as a good anti-bacterial and germ-killer.

Another reason was that — hanging lemons and chillies outside the house wards off flies and other insects that otherwise may cause a havoc. Fruit flies are repelled best by lemons (it’s a tried and tested method!). So, it might be linked to a superstitious belief originally, but it has a lot of social and physiological benefits.

2. Wearing silver rings in the feet as married women

Silver rings worn in toes of married women, are considered a sign of prosperity and it is said, that they ensure love among the married couple.

While the reasons might sound bizarre, but the real scientific truth behind this practice suggests that wearing silver jewellery in toes, boosts fertility and also helps the women to reduce period pain to a great extent.

As per Ayurvedic practices, the nerve on the second toe of the feet is connected directly to the woman’s uterus, hence a pressure because of the ring, regulates the menstrual cycle.

Apart from Ayurveda, there are also several acupressure benefits, as it presses the nerves that help with the reproductive system of women.

3. Observing 9 days long fast during Navratri

It has been recently proved by food scientists and nutrition experts that fasting, eliminating gluten, or not eating for a period of time has several beneficial effects for your body.

But in Hinduism, it is an ancient practice, to observe fasts during the time of Navratri, which is the nine days of changing seasons. Navratri is observed two times in the year, once when the season changes from winter to summer (Chaitra Navratri), and once when it changes from summer to winter (Sharad Navratri).

Culturally, it is said that Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as the Hindu new year, and Sharad Navratri is the time when the female Goddess, or devi Durgā — killed the demon Mahishāsur — both of the events are important enough for the devotees to observe nine days fast. The first Navratri is observed typically in April, and second one in September. And these months are the seasonal transition months for a country like India.

But scientifically —

Eating regulated or controlled amounts of food, and avoiding certain foods during this time, helps the body to cope with changing seasons. It helps the body regain strength and attain immunity against several diseases that can attack people during this time.

4. Lighting earthen lamps for prosperity

Earthen lamps are commonly made of fuller’s earth, which is a 100% biodegradable, natural and pollution-free material. While wax candles or tea-lights are known to emit some harmful elements like lead, earthen lamps are completely harm-free.

Culturally, it has always been a practice in Hinduism to light earthen lamps on any festival or occasion. They not only beautify your house, but they also bring peace and tranquility. It is also religiously advised to only light earthen lamps in order to celebrate prominent festivals like Diwāli.

Apart from being completely natural, earthen lamps reduce pollution, prevent diseases as the oil burnt in the lamps, kills insects and germs in the air. Commonly, it is advised to use clarified butter made from cow’s milk, to light such a lamp, but people may also use mustard oil or any other flower oil.

5. Extensive use of cow urine and cow dung

While this practice is no longer in demand in large societies and big metropolitan cities in India, but in villages it is still common to observe how people coat the exterior of their homes with cow dung. While it might sound disgusting, bizarre and weird, it has many health benefits.

Culturally, cow is considered to be the most holy and important animal in the Hindu religion. So, it was always advised not to waste anything that comes out of the animal, not even the urine or dung. Hence, cow urine is still considered no less than holy water, and it is consumed by millions of people across the world, including renowned film actors in India.

While religiously, cow might be considered important, but scientifically there are many facts that strengthen this belief —

Even today, many Ayurvedic medicines contain cow urine, and it is claimed that they have potential to treat several diseases and problems that modern medicine and allopathy cannot treat.

Although scientifically, allopathic treatments have more backers, as they are backed by experiments on modern-day world, but Ayurveda has been the essence of India since time immemorial. There are thousands of evidences that the knowledge of medical science and Ayurveda originated in India. Even today, the renowned sage Sushruta (c. 7th or 6th century BCE) is considered the father of Indian medicine and plastic surgery.

The Sushruta Samhita (Sushruta’s Compendium) is considered as the oldest text on plastic surgery in the world. Ayurvedic medicine is among the oldest medical systems in the world, dating back to Vedic period of India (c. 5000 BCE). It was practiced in India for centuries before the Greek physician Hippocrates (considered as the father of medicine) was even born!