Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and the time for fun and merry making. This happens to be the coolest time of the year. The weather is full of moisture, cool breeze, low temperature leading to few human activities. Each house has a star put up in front and a well decorated crib depicting his birth in the cowshed.

A Christmas tree is adorned with decorations and gifts hung all over it. Carols are sung and people dance around the tree. Cakes made out of high calories cream, fat and sugars are baked and offered. There is a science behind these traditions, a reason for each practice.

The Christmas tree belongs to the family pinaceae, the scientific name of the tree is Abies Spectabils commonly called as silver fir or pine tree. This tree is generally distributed in cold climes. It produces male and female cones. The seeds are winged and dispersed by wind.

During December the cold climate activates the infectious virus like adenoviruses and the streptococcus bacteria. They enter our body when we breathe and cause sore throat, inflammation of throat tissue, tonsils, etc.
The tree Abies kept in the house releases a biochemical called expectorant or a volatile substance. This fights the virus and kills it.

The leaf is used in ayurvedic preparations for throat infections. The extract is called talisapatradi and used with honey.

During winter our metabolic activities are low and to boost energy levels intake of high calorie with fat more than carbohydrate is needed. This is why cakes are baked. Lighting the house with candles and lights warms the air too.

So it is clear our ancestors knew some things, maybe even better than doctors and scientists.