Many folks, when they’re visiting the Historical Society, want to know how people managed to live in southern Florida before air-conditioning “and with all the mosquitoes.”

Well, being surrounded by piney woods and sea breezes rather than concrete and semis made it a lot cooler… and just maybe, they had some concoctions to deter mosquitoes?

On eattheweeds.com:

There are three chemicals in the leaves scientists are trying to replicate for mosquito repellent. They may be as effective as DEET, according to researchers with the USDA. The chemicals, particularly one called callicarpenal, showed significant bite-deterring activity against the yellow-fever mosquito and the mosquito that spreads malaria. Callicarpenal and other compounds isolated from the plant also repelled… ticks.

Check out the article for a modern-day mosquito repellent recipe and even a recipe for Beauty Berry Jelly! PS Have you ever noticed how all native-plant jellies around here call for LOTS of sugar?

Read the article.