This natural insect repellent was once used to help flavour alcoholic beverages and also had the added advantage to help Sunday School children remember their place in the Bible. What is it?

lanfranco

This took a while -- I was going for citronella at first -- but how about costmary, also known as "bible leaf" and a flavoring for ale and beer? Apparently, it will put off moths as well: http://www.foodreference.com/html/fcostmary.html Jul 23 05, 6:04 PM

wajo

Costmary aka bible leaf plant aka ale cost. It was used as a preservative and flavouring in the making of ale before the use of hops became widespread. I found three reasons why its leaves might have been used as bookmarks for bibles... because it's a natural insect repellent, because the smell staved of hunger during long sermons or simply because the leaves are very long. Perhaps it was a combination of all three. Basic info here : http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2252/ Jul 23 05, 6:09 PM

peasypod

Well, A Nice One to both you Frankie, and to Jan I think. I was curious as to why the leaves were used as a bookmark when there are a plethora of alternate items one might use for a bookmark other than flora.... Jul 23 05, 9:54 PM

peasypod

....Speaking of flora and fauna, how are you getting along with #58419 Frankiebabe? Jul 23 05, 9:56 PM

lanfranco

If it has anything to do with Greek mythology, I just might have a line on it. Otherwise, I'm sunk. I'm still considering the problem ... Jul 24 05, 4:01 PM

peasypod

Nope, not Greek Mythology, however breaking the one word answer into two words gives you a rather naughty type of pelvic exercise that gmack mentioned in that question of his. Well, sort of... Jul 24 05, 4:23 PM