“Contact with [menstrual blood] turns new wine sour, crops touched by it become barren, grafts die, seed in gardens are dried up, the fruit of trees fall off, the edge of steel and the gleam of ivory are dulled, hives of bees die, even bronze and iron are at once seized by rust, and a horrible smell fills the air; to taste it drives dogs mad and infects their bites with an incurable poison.” Or so said Pliny the Elder around A.D 77 in his book Natural History: A Selection.
I sure feel sorry for the women in his world since he was a respected “elder” and apparently thought of as an authority on the natural world, which apparently included the female menstrual cycle.
Historically and in some cultures worldwide even today a menstruating woman is feared and sometimes shunned or isolated. It wasn’t until 1871 when the connection between menstruation and failure to conceive was clear. Unfortunately, many myths pertaining to menstruation still exist. Here are a few:
- Hair washed during your period will not hold a curl but will hang limp.
- Fillings put in during your period will fall out.
- Fruits or vegetables canned during your period will spoil.
- Females should avoid visiting wineries during their periods because the wine will turn to vinegar.
- Females shouldn’t swim during their periods.
- Fruit will rot on the tree, meat will rot if butchered, jelly won’t set and dough will fail to rise if touched by a menstruating woman.
- Females shouldn’t have sex during their periods.
- While menstruating, a female is more likely to be attacked by bears or sharks. (Actually sharks are attracted to ALL body fluids not just blood.)
- You can catch a cold more easily, so avoid cold water and cold drinks.
On the positive side, menstrual blood has been said to cure gout, goiters, hemorrhoids, epilepsy, worms, and headaches. It has also been used as a powerful ingredient in love potions. It’s been said that a few drops put in the object of your desire’s food or drink will bind him to you forever. In some primitive tribes the apron worn by a girl during her first period was coveted by relatives who wanted to wear it themselves to ensure good health. There are more fascinating myths to read about here and here. And if you want to see a woman boldly testing the boundaries of menstruation, check this story out about a woman who ran a marathon without a pad or tampon.
