If there is one thing that can be said about proverbs - it is that they are usually right. So what do these wonderful maxims have to say about health and wellbeing? Alex Gazzola investigates some wise words from around the world.
An apple a day, keeps the doctor away’ - perhaps the best-known health proverb in modern English. And while current nutritional advice advocates we aim for at least five pieces of fruit and veg instead of just one, the essence of the familiar saying remains perfectly valid - it is as sensible today as it always has been.
Indeed, the joy of health proverbs is that they are all built on a foundation of sound wisdom and fundamental truths passed down from generation to generation - neatly delivered in a memorable catchphrase. And while some are just modest and sensible life principles, others have inspired much more than healthy day-to-day living. For instance, the ancient Latin proverb ‘similia similibus curantur’, adopted by the English as ‘similar cures similar’, or more familiarly ‘like cures like’, was to eventually become the central tenet in homeopathic thinking.
But what about other proverbs from around the world? Are they also worthy maxims for the modern woman? Here we look at some you should aim to live by.
“When the sun rises, work; when the sun sets, stop” (Taiwanese proverb)
Kundalini Yoga Teacher Carolyn Cowan lives by this proverb, and she believes it has transformed her life. ‘I get up at around 4 or 5am every day, do yoga, meditate, and then begin work,’ she says. ‘There’s a very still energy in the early ambrosial hours, and when the sun’s rays start striking the planet it gives you an extraordinary feeling.’ At 5pm, she winds down, and aims to be in bed by 8.30pm. ‘My philosophy is all about living in a more natural state, enabling your body to fall into its own rhythm,’ Carolyn adds. ‘And the bonus of eating before the sun sets is that it improves your digestion. When it’s dark, your body yearns to shut down for the day.’
“When the heart is at ease, the body is healthy” (Chinese proverb)
Four times as many women die of heart disease than of breast cancer. Where Kylie Minogue has further reminded women of a disease of which they are already fairly well aware, the dangers of heart disease, without a recent high-profile celebrity case to alert us, often go forgotten. It is a good idea to undertake regular blood pressure and cholesterol testing, stop smoking, moderate your saturated fat intake, and increase your fruit and vegetables. Exercise, too, is key. ‘Because the heart is a muscle - one which ‘feeds’ the body nourishing blood - exercise makes it stronger,’ explains cardiac nurse Ellen Mason. ‘This in turn reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol, prevents and manages diabetes and obesity, and also fights depression and anxiety.’
“Garlic is as good as ten mothers” (Telegu Indian proverb)
A magical, loving proverb, born from the abundance of benefits this vegetable is known to offer. Among these are that it is a powerful antiseptic. Its rich antioxidants are thought to have healing benefits on the intestine, and it is effective in lowering cholesterol. Others claim it can help fight influenza, parasites and even infertility. Nutritionist Robert Clark is a garlic fan, believing it an effective prebiotic, feeding healthy gut bacteria and fighting unhealthy populations. ‘It’s best eaten raw,’ he says. ‘Try a salad of sliced tomatoes, sprinkled with a thinly sliced clove of garlic, lots of fresh basil and olive oil. The flavours will combine and the garlic won’t taste so strong.’
“Cheerfulness is the very flower of health” (Japanese proverb)
We have long known that the Japanese are a happy, contented people, and this charming saying may be the reason why. If you are feeling down, though, remember you have the power to act. ‘Cheerfulness is a choice,’ asserts happiness guru and success coach Ben Renshaw. ‘When you wake up, make the immediate decision to be happy.’ Positive feelings, according to Renshaw, help the body to release feel-good endorphins into the bloodstream. These in turn boost the immune system. ‘You can literally choose happiness, choose to boost your immune system, and therefore choose to be healthier,’ he says.
“Limit your desires and you will improve your health” (Spanish proverb)
We live in an I-want-it-all culture, one based on coveting the celebrity lifestyle. Life coach Martin Perry urges us to stop buying celebrity magazines and to reject the obsessive culture altogether. ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ he asks. ‘It is hugely stressful to put yourself through the pressure of wanting to look like a celebrity. Let go of that stress. Many Hollywood stars put themselves on unhealthy fad diets to achieve their looks. They are paying with their health.’
“Hygiene is two-thirds health” (Lebanese proverb)
We may think of washing as nothing more than an excuse to pamper, but personal hygiene runs much deeper than mere psychology. ‘The skin is an intricate organ of excretion and protection,’ says dermatologist Sally Penford. ‘Every day it eliminates the body of toxins, salts and oils. Add to that dead skin cells and external pollutants, and the skin’s surface becomes clogged with unwanted debris which must be gently removed to keep you in better health.’ Sally says it is important to maintain the protective barrier of the skin to guard against moisture loss and bacterial attack. ‘Avoid soap because it is alkaline and acts in opposition to your skin’s natural acidity,’ she adds. ‘Use an acid-balanced cleanser - a creamier one for dry skin, and a clay-based cleanser for oily skin. Follow with a skin protectant moisturiser to protect your skin from external pollution.’
“Eat well, drink in moderation, sleep sound - in these three, good health abound” (Latin proverb)
‘This proverb sits well with my philosophy,’ says health, weight and fitness coach Emma Hetherington. ‘Healthy eating and drinking within recommended guidelines is very much a part of an ideal lifestyle. Sleep is important to reduce stress, and if you are less stressed you are less likely to comfort eat. People look for magic formulae in life, but ultimately it is down to the healthy attitude which this proverb encapsulates. It’s great!’
“There are more old wine drinkers, than there are old doctors” (German proverb)
Nutrition researcher Professor Roger Corder, author of The Wine Diet, agrees that red wine can help you live a healthier, longer life - largely thanks to chemicals called procyanidins, which are found in red wine. ‘Procyanidins promote healthy blood vessel function - essential in keeping all the organs working optimally,’ says Corder. ‘This raises the possibility that it can protect against not only heart disease and strokes, but also diabetes, dementia and even forms of cancer.’ It is worth noting that the areas of the world with the largest proportion of centenarians - parts of southern France, Sardinia in Italy, and Crete in Greece - have local wines with the highest procyanidin content of all. Look for tannic, complex red wines, and remember to indulge in modest quantities only.