Do Folk Remedies for Heat Relief Actually Work?
With record-breaking heat sweeping the country and the world, people are turning to all kinds of tips, tricks, and folk remedies to stay cool. HuffPost asked experts to weigh in on some of the most common old wives’ tales about surviving the heat. The verdict? Some have truth to them, others don’t hold up to scrutiny, and a few could actually backfire depending on conditions.
Sleeping Under a Damp Sheet
Dr. Swapnil Patel, vice chair of the department of medicine at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, explained that the “Egyptian method” involves sleeping under a damp sheet to cool down. A damp towel can be used as an alternative. Dr. Anthony T. Lagina, an associate professor in the department of emergency medicine at Wayne State University, Detroit Medical Center, noted that a lightly damp sheet or cloth can cool through evaporation. As water evaporates from the fabric, it pulls heat away from the skin. This works best in dry, well-ventilated conditions. However, in high humidity, water and sweat do not evaporate efficiently, and a damp sheet may feel clammy, disrupt sleep, or irritate skin.
Dr. Scott Braunstein, chief medical officer at Sollis Health, recommended focusing on proven environmental controls such as keeping your bedroom well-ventilated, utilizing lightweight, breathable bedding, taking a cool shower before bed, and prioritizing consistent fluid replenishment throughout the day.
Smearing Yogurt on Windows
The idea behind putting yogurt on windows—a tip that has circulated in the U.K.—is that the light-colored yogurt forms a thin film on the glass that reflects incoming solar radiation. Anna Bershteyn, an associate professor in the department of population health at NYU Langone Health, suggested using a reflective window film, metallic foil, or shades instead, as they would be more effective and less messy. Dr. Lagina advised against yogurt due to sanitation concerns including odor, bacterial or mold growth, insects, and potential surface damage. For wet towels on windows, he noted that in humid weather, this may simply add moisture indoors, making sweating less effective. Better home-cooling approaches include blocking direct sunlight with curtains or reflective shades, opening windows only when outside air is cooler, and using fans to move air across the skin.
Hot Beverages Cool You Faster Than Cold Ones
Some studies have found that hot drinks and spicy foods increase sweating, which could be helpful in dry heat—like deserts where sweat evaporates so fast that skin is dry. However, in muggy, humid heat, more sweat won’t cool you any faster. Dr. Lagina stated that during heat stress, cool water or an electrolyte-containing drink is usually more practical. Moderate caffeine is generally acceptable for many adults, but excessive caffeine and alcohol should be avoided during extreme heat. Dr. Braunstein added that cold water or targeted electrolyte solutions are consistently the better choice because they are refreshing, encourage higher fluid intake, and provide immediate physical relief. Many hot drinks like coffee or tea are caffeinated, which speeds up metabolism increasing heat production and acts as a diuretic contributing to fluid losses and dehydration.
Cooling Your Pulse Points
Cooling the neck, armpits, groin, wrists, and the backs of the knees can help, as major blood vessels are near the skin surface. Dr. Brendan Camp, a dermatologist, explained that applying cold can briefly cool circulating blood locally, producing a perception of relief, but this effect is modest and does not significantly lower overall core body temperature. It is best understood as a sensory or comfort-based strategy. For serious overheating, broader cooling is better—a cool shower or bath, misting with a fan, cold wet sheets, or cold-water immersion when safe. Dr. Braunstein warned that if symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating, muscle cramps, or unusual fatigue occur, it is critically important to immediately seek medical care, as heat-related illness ranges from mild to life-threatening.
Cold Cabbage Leaves Under a Hat
Using cabbage leaves is a real folk remedy for cooling properties. Dr. Patel noted that the cooling effect of the leaves, with their water content, is real. However, Bershteyn said she is not aware of any special cooling powers of cabbage leaves. Dr. Camp stated that a cabbage leaf warms quickly, does not maintain consistent heat transfer, and does not meaningfully affect core temperature. Dr. Lagina pointed out that a cold cabbage leaf can cool by contact and moisture, just like any cold wet object, but there is no special heat-related medical property in cabbage. A clean, damp cloth, cooling towel, chilled bandana, or ice pack wrapped in cloth is more practical and hygienic. Folk remedies should not delay standard cooling or emergency care.
Bowl of Ice in Front of a Fan
Placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan is a popular TikTok hack, but experts say the effect is limited. Dr. Lagina explained that this can create a small area of cooler air for someone sitting close by, but it is not an effective way to cool an entire room. The ice absorbs heat as it melts, and then the effect stops. Bershteyn noted that if the ice was made in a freezer in the same room, the heat coming from the back of the freezer would offset the cooling. However, if you sit directly in front of the ice, you might get a personal, chilled breeze.
Expert Recommendations for Heat Safety
Many folk cooling methods work only when they improve evaporation, conduction, shade, or airflow. They are not substitutes for air conditioning, hydration, rest, and urgent medical care when heat illness is suspected. It takes several weeks for a body to adjust to heat, which is why the U.S. sees more heat-related deaths in the spring than in the summer. Being in good physical shape is a huge benefit. However, fitness does not eliminate risk; athletes, outdoor workers, children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions are all vulnerable. Dr. Braunstein emphasized that the best prevention is staying hydrated before you feel thirsty, wearing lightweight clothing, seeking shade during the hottest part of the day, and taking breaks in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible. Loose, thin, light-colored clothing and hats provide helpful protection, as do periodic cool showers, misting fans, ice packs, and damp cloths. Never leave children, older adults, vulnerable people, or pets in parked cars. Check on older adults, children, outdoor workers, people living alone, and anyone with chronic medical conditions. High humidity, poor airflow, dehydration, and prolonged heat exposure all increase risk.
Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, cool or clammy skin, and feeling faint. If these occur, move to shade or air conditioning, stop activity, loosen clothing, sip cool fluids if alert, and use cool wet cloths, misting, fanning, or a cool shower. Heatstroke is a medical emergency with warning signs including confusion, altered behavior, fainting, seizure, slurred speech, severe weakness, a very hot body, or inability to cool down. If heatstroke is suspected, call 911 immediately and begin cooling while waiting for help. If symptoms like dizziness, vomiting, confusion, fainting, or difficulty breathing develop or don’t quickly improve, don’t rely on home remedies—early treatment can prevent progression to life-threatening conditions.
