The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, #1)

by Jean M. Auel

washed the wounds with an absorbent piece of rabbit skin dipped in the hot liquid in which the iris root had boiled.

‘This destroys the evil spirits that make infection,’ Iza motioned, pointing to the antiseptic iris root solution. ‘A poultice of the root draws out poisons and

‘Clover makes the heart strong to fight evil spirits, stimulates it.’

‘Alder bark cleans the blood, purifies it, drives out the spirits that poison it.’

‘Powdered hops, the mature cones with the fine hairs, to calm her and make her sleep restful.

willow, for its ubiquitous presence as well as for its painkilling bark.

The analgesic properties of willow just dulled the pain and reduced fever.

hollyhocks with large bright flowers. The roots of the multi-coloured flowering plants could be made into a poultice similar to iris roots to promote healing and reduce swelling and inflammation. An infusion of the flowers would both numb the child’s pain and make her sleepy. She

Only the leader could command a mog-ur to call down the evil spirits and lay a curse of death. A mog-ur could not refuse, though it was dangerous for the magician and the clan. Once cursed, no member of the clan saw or spoke to the criminal. He was ignored, ostracised, he no longer existed, just as though he was dead.

‘Hollyhocks are good for soothing irritations, sore throats, scrapes, scratches. The flowers make a drink that can ease pain, but it makes a person sleepy. The root is good for wounds.

hyssop. The tea is good for coughs when you have a cold, right?’

‘What is good for burns, Ayla?’ ‘Let me think. Hyssop flowers mixed with goldenrod flowers and cone flowers, dried and powdered together in equal parts. Wet it and make it into a poultice, cover with a bandage. When it dries, wet it again with cold water poured on the bandage,’ she finished in a rush, then paused to think. ‘And, dried horsemint flowers and leaves are good for scalds, wet them in the hand and put it on the burn. Boiled roots of sweet rush makes a wash for burns.’ ‘Good, anything else?’ The girl searched her mind. ‘Giant hyssop, too. Chew the fresh leaves and stalk for a poultice, or wet the dried leaves. And . . . Oh yes, boiled yellow-spined thistle blossoms. Put on as a wash after it’s cooled.’