| MH 20, 308-309 |
"What do you use in the poultice?" Mamut asked. (...)
"One plant, grows higher than knee, " Ayla explained, thinking about the plant carefully. "Has big leaves, not bright green, like dust on them. Leaves grow together with stem first, then get big, then come to point at end. Under leaf, soft, like fur. Leaves good for many things, and roots, too, especially broken bones."
"Comfrey! That must be comfrey. What else is in the poultice?" This is interesting, he thought.
"Other plant, smaller, does not reach knee. Leaves, like small spear point Wymez makes, dark shiny green, stay green in winter. Stem comes up from leaves, has little flowers, light color, small
red spots inside. Good for swellings, rash, too," Ayla said. //
Mamut was shaking his head. "Leaves stay green in winter, spotted flowers. I don't think I know that one. Why not just call it spotted wintergreen." (...)
"Big plant, bigger than Talut, almost tree. Grows on low ground, near rivers. Dark purple berries stay on plant even in winter. Young leaves good to eat, big old ones too strong, can make sick.
Dried root into poultice is good for swelling, red swelling, too, and for pain. I put dried berries in tea I make for your arthritis." (...)
"When you are resting, with poultice," she said, "I have root powder of other plant I want to put on hot coals for you to smell. Will make sweat, and is good for pain. Then, before you sleep
tonight, I have new wash for joints. Apple juice and hot root ..."
"You mean horseradish? The root Nezzie uses, with food."
"I think, yes, with apple juice and Talut's bouza. Will make skin warm, and inside skin warm, too." |
