Plantain leaf

“Rules at Takiwasi: isolation, boiled green plantain and a little rice or oats twice a day. No salt, sugar, alcohol, pork or spicy food (also avoided up to four weeks after), no sex, no strong sun, rain, fire, smells, chaos or heavy exercise. Long silences. About 20 plant species are dieted there, most poorly studied.”

“Weegbree (Plantago). The leaf, vein side down, on a festering wound, rubbed on a sting by oral tradition.”

“Plantain (bokvica) leaf on a cut or sting, walnut leaf washes for sweaty hands and feet and mild skin inflammation, chamomile and yarrow washes.”

“Plantain (Plantago major, ribwort P. lanceolata). Bokvica, ženska bokvica, dejzi. Fresh leaf on a cut or sting, tea for wounds, skin, belly and bladder. Clean small wounds only.”

“Summer. Fire watch in the taiga, the worst of the mosquitoes, ivan-chai in July, linden flowers, bilberries, raspberries, the first jam on the stove. Plantain leaves in salads and soups, dried for tea. Kvass in the cellar.”