Costmary (Chrysanthemem balsamita) is also known as Bible leaf because in Colonial times a leaf served as a bookmark in Bibles and prayer books. When drowsiness set in, the sleeper treated himself to the minty leaf to stay awake~
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The word “cost” derives from costum, the Latin for a spicy oriental herb, so alecost means a spicy herb for ale, and costmary is Mary’s ( or women’s) spicy herb, as it was used to ease childbirth.
Finely chopped leaves is delicious in carrot soup, salads. game meat, poultry stuffing and fruit cakes.
Try it with melted butter on sweet green peas or new potatoes.
Medicinal: If you lay a leaf on a bee sting it will instantly stop hurting.