text: In early Midrashic literature, the Hebrew word "vayilafeth" in Ruth 3:8 is explained as referring to Ruth entwining herself around Boaz like lichen. The 10th century Arab physician Al-Tamimi mentions lichens dissolved in vinegar and rose water being used in his day for the treatment of skin diseases and rashes.
  The plot of John Wyndhams science fiction novel Trouble with Lichen' revolves around an anti-aging chemical extracted from a lichen.