I could not keep from laughing! I do not recall how my friend, Karen, and I got on the subject of toilet paper. It probably had to do with prepping. I recall making a comment about people possibly having to use corn cobs as TP. Although I have never had to resort to that, I recall my grandmother making mention of such a practice. Yes, Grandmother had an outhouse. Actually, so do I! I do have modern plumbing, as well. It is nice to have options, should the need present itself.
All over our property there is this unusual, velvet leafed plant, known as the Mullein Plant. It has a long stalk that sort of reminds me of a corn cob, but it is long, very long. I suppose one could compare it to a bore snake, although the stalk would leave a good amount of debris in the barrel 🙂
In addition to being used as toilet paper, the Mullein Plant can be used as a tea, tinder for fire starting, smoked and for medicinal purposes (if prepared properly). The sedative effect is appealing and I might have to give the tea a try. Here is a very informative video on the plant by Paul Wheaton.
The tea from mullein flowers and leaves has been used as a cough medicine for quite a while. It’s an expectorant, and is also used for bronchitis. I sometimes see it growing in vacant lots and along roadsides around here when I’m out birdwatching, so I’m going to give it a try this summer and see if it has any effect on my COPD, which I’ve recently been diagnosed with.