From PRAVDA
In Syria, it used to be considered that a meal cooked by a menstruating woman will go bad in a relatively short period of time. People of the South European countries assumed that batter wouldn't rise in the presence of a menstruating woman. People in the South of France were absolutely certain of the fact that even a slightest breath of a menstruating woman was enough to alter mayonnaise quality.
Myths about menstruation could be divided into two distinct categories. The first views menstruating woman as something mysterious, as enigma with supernatural powers. The second one, in contrast, views menstruating woman as a creature possessed by "dark forces."
Early humans viewed monthly bleedings of healthy women as vivid demonstration of their supernatural powers. It was assumed that menstruating women were capable to stop hurricanes and thunders. Monthly blood was thought to possess magical qualities. It was thought to protect people from fire, serve as a good omen, to protect men from getting wounded in fights, and so on. A thread soaked in this blood was used to treat patients suffering from epilepsy and migraines.
According to the second viewpoint, it was considered that a menstruating woman was possessed by evil. Some used to believe that wine goes bad, iron turns to rust and bronze turns green in the presence of a menstruating woman.
More:
http://funreports.com/2004/12/27/57598.html