The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s26.t1.2

c5.s26.t1.2

The leaves and leaf-stalks when burnt yield alkaline ashes which can be used instead of country soap or fuller’s earth, in washing clothes. In the Noakhally jail, the old leaves are collected, dried and burnt to ashes. The ashes being placed on a piece of cloth supported on four posts, water is made to percolate through them into an earthen vessel. The alkaline water thus obtained is used for steeping clothes intended to be washed. As the stems of the plantain are cut down soon after the fruit is gathered, there is always a large quantity of leaves and stalks available in all gardens where it is cultivated. They can be readily economised in the simple method above described, if not manufactured into cloth or paper.