Medical Herbs | DARKENED SKIES

Medical Herbs Apr 11, 2014 5:28:23 GMT -6

Post by 》R Y on Apr 11, 2014 5:28:23 GMT -6

MEDICAL HERBS
THE COMPLETE GUIDE

A L D E R B A R K

It is chewed to alleviate tooth aches. This is the most common treatment for toothaches and is accepted by all medicine cats. Currently there is no other herb that can be used for this ailment. It is naturally found on CreekClan. It must be stored in dry, warm conditions (best kept wrapped in beech leaves or ivy leaves). This is most commonly given to apprentices, warriors, and elders. It is not recommended for kits or nursing queens.

B E E C H L E A V E S

These leaves are most commonly used by TreeClan medicine cats to store herbs, though the other clans have adapted this idea. These herbs have no medical value and are merely used to hold herbs. Another substitute for these leaves are ivy leaves. Beech leaves can be found in TreeClan, HillClan, and CreekClan as well as in places where the soil is not too waterlogged.

B I N D W E E D

These weeds are typically used throughout the clans to bind sticks to a broken legs. If a cat is unable to find bindweed, cobwebs will work as well (though cobwebs are not as strong and it will take more to hold the leg steady). This herb is widely accepted through-out the clans. Bindweed can be found through-out the forest in all of the territories.

B L A C K B E R R Y

The berries can be eaten without harm, but have no medicinal value. The leaves are commonly chewed into a pulp and applied to a bee sting to ease the swelling. This is common with the clans because during the winter it stores better than Dandelion. Blackberry leaves can be substituted with the white liquid from a Dandelion stalk. Dandelion is more accessible, but Blackberry leaves are preferred. Blackberry bushes can be found exclusively in TreeClan territory.

B O R A G E

The leaves are typically chewed and eaten by queens that are nursing. It will allow them to produce more and better milk. It is most typically given to a queen that has either adopted a litter, or has given birth to a large litter of cats. This herb will also help bring down fevers. It is widely accepted through-out the clans to help produce milk, though medicine cats will also replace it with feverfew or lavender to bring down a fever. It is typically found in TreeClan and CreekClan, though it can also be grown in two-leg gardens.

B U R D O C K R O O T

Burdock root is most commonly used for rat bites. After it is dug up and washed off, it can be stored for moons. Once needed, simply chew it into a pulp and apply to rat bites. It is widely accepted by the medicine cats, though can be replaced with wild garlic. Burdock root is preferred, but if it cannot be found, wild garlic is the next best thing. It is typically found in CreekClan and TreeClan.

B U R N E T

This plant is used as a travelling herb. It is used to help keep up a cat's strength. While this is not a typical herb, when no others can be found, this is a great substitute. Chamomile, juniper berries, lamb's ear, ragwort leaves, or ragweed are preferred as little is known about this plant, but it can be used. It is most typically found in the HillClan, though is sometimes found near the two leg places as well.

C A T C H W E E D

The burrs are applied to the fur where a poultice has been placed. It will keep the poultice from being rubbed off and will not hurt the skin either. Though covering it with cobwebs will also do the trick. This is accepted by CreekClan and TreeClan. It is found in the undergrowth surrounding water.

C A T M I N T

The plant is eaten to help cure green cough and white cough. While it is most typically caught by kits and elders, once it has infected a camp it is likely to spread to several other cats as well. Medicine cats must take extra precaution when treating this disease. This is one o the best cures, though it can be replaced with chickweed or tansy, though catmint is preferred by most medicine cats. It can be found near the abandoned mill and in the two-leg place, though it must be harvested correctly and carefully. It is best to harvest at sun-high or later, so there is no dew and the plant will not rot as quickly in storage.

C E L A N D I N E

Celandine is most commonly used to sooth damaged eyes by crushing the flower and applying the juices to the eyes. It is accepted by the medicine cats of every clan, though it is most commonly found in TreeClan though can sometimes be found in CreekClan territory if a medicine cat knows where to look. This is best used for eyes that have been damaged for a long time, not as a treatment to cure eyes that have recently been damaged. Trickling the juice into a newly damaged eye will cause a burning sensation.

C H A M O M I L E

Chamomile is commonly used as a travelling herb to strengthen a cat for a journey. It can also be used to strengthen a cat's heart and to sooth their mind. It can be given to a cat who has gone through extreme trauma, though most medicine cats do not prefer to use it for this purpose. It is accepted vastly as a travelling herb, but only a medicine cat who does not follow tradition will use it for it's other purpose. It is most commonly found in the two-leg gardens.

C H E R V I L

This plant's leaves are chewed to extract the juice and can be applied to infected wounds. The root can be chewed for the juice to ease a belly ache. This plant can also be used for kitting. To heal infection, this can be replaced with honey, horsetail, marigold, dried oak leaf, sweet-sedge, or wild garlic. Chervil is mostly found in CreekClan though can sometimes be found near the abandoned mill.

C H I C K W E E D

C O B N U T S

Cob nuts are made into an ointment and are best used for joint relief. While these are not the preferred plant, when nothing else can be found or used, cob nut ointment will do. It can be replaced with comfrey root, daisy leaf, marigold, or ragwort leaves that are mixed with juniper berries. Cob nuts are most naturally found in CreekClan.

C O B W E B S

Cobwebs are most commonly used by pressing against a wound to either slow or stop the bleeding, but are also used to dress a wound, hold poultice onto a wound, or to bind a broken leg. It is one of the most accepted treatment methods out there, though it has no medicinal value. It can be found throughout the territories, often in trees, bushes, or in dens.

C O L T S F O O T

Coltsfoot leaves are used by chewing them into a pulp and either applying to cracked or sore pads or by feeding it to cats that are having trouble breathing. It is also a widely accepted cure for kitten-cough. Coltsfoot can be replaced with dock or yarrow to heal sore pads. It can be replaced by juniper berries to ease breathing. There is no other cure for kitten-cough that has been discovered. It can be found in CreekClan and in HillClan territory.

C O M F R E Y R O O T

Comfrey root is used for repairing broken bones, soothing wounds, wrenched claws, to relieve itching or inflammation on stiff joints. It is commonly used by many medicine cats. It can be replaced with goldenrod, horsetail, stinging nettle, tansy, tormentil, wintergreen, or chervil to sooth and heal wounds. It can be replaced with daisy leaf, marigold, or ragwort leaves to treat joint pain and inflammation. It is best found in the grassy meadow and golden field.

D A I S Y L E A V E S

Daisy leaves are chewed into a paste and applied to aching joints. They can also be eaten for a travelling herb. It is commonly used along side chamomile. It can be replaced with comfrey root, marigold, or ragwort leaves to treat joint pain and inflammation. It is accepted by many medicine cats and used commonly for elders. It can be found throughout the territories, though is extremely common in HillClan.

D A N D E L I O N

Dandelion's have two elements that can be used for treating ailments. The first is the white liquid found inside dandelion stalks. These can be applied to bee stings to sooth and heal them. The leaves can also be chewed to be used as a pain reliever. The white liquid can be replaced with black berry leaf pulp. The leaves can be replaced with feverfew, poppy seeds, raspberry leaves, or willow bark. It can be found through-out the territories though is extremely common in HillClan.

D O C K

Dock is chewed and applied to scratches. While it will sooth scratches, it will sting when applied. It can also be applied to sore paw pads. Dock can be replaced with colts foot or yarrow to sooth paws. It is accepted through-out the medicine cat field. It is typically found in TreeClan, but can also be found in CreekClan. It is best kept when stored in a cool, dry place.

F E N N E L

Fennel is used to help alleviate pain in the hips. To give to the patient, simply break the stalk in half and squeeze the juice into the cat's mouth. This herb is used during kitting to help a queen bear the pain of kits, but is not typically given unless there are complications. Not every medicine cat believes in using this herb and have neglected. But it can be found around sources of water.

F E V E R F E W

Feverfew is administered by eating the herb. It is most commonly used to break a cat's fever and heal aches and pains. (Note that it is especially good with headaches.) It can be replaced by dandelion leaves to help alleviate pain. Borage leaves and lavender are also common solutions to help with a fever. Feverfew is found near any source of water.

G O L D E N R O D

Goldenrod is typically used for healing wounds. Medicine cats will chew the plant into a poultice and then apply it to the wound, often covering it with either cobwebs or catchweed. It can be replaced with chervil, comfrey root, horsetail, stinging nettle, tansy, tormentil, or wintergreen. It is most commonly found in HillClan.

H E A T H E R

Heather nectar is typically added to a medicine mixture, but has no medicinal value. It often makes swallowing easier and can help sweeten a mixture. Heather nectar can be replaced with either honey or mouse blood, though honey tends to be the most popular. Heather can be found throughout the forest, though is common in HillClan and CreekClan.

H O N E Y

Honey is one of the most difficult medical supplies to deal with. It is difficult to harvest because of the stinging insects that guard it and difficult to store because of it's liquid. When harvesting, it is usually best to collect once the hive is abandoned and the honey comb is falling from the trees. It is usually best kept by wrapping in beech leaves or ivy leaves. Though if a cat has a bad cough or sore throat, it may be necessary to hunt out honey. Honey is used to treat sore throats, as well as helping to make things sweeter and help cats swallow other concoctions. It is used for smoke damaged throats, and can help give energy. It can be found throughout the forest.

H O R S E T A I L

Horse tail is typically used to treat infections by chewing it into a poultice and applying it to a wound. Then a cat will either apply catchweed burrs to the wound or cobwebs to try and prevent the poultice from rubbing off. The nectar of horsetail is often applied to cobwebs to help slow or stop the bleeding of a wound. Typically, it can be replaced with chervil, marigold, dried oak leaf, sweet-sedge, or wild garlic when used to prevent infections. It is most commonly used by CreekClan, though other clans have used it when nothing else can be found. Horsetail is typically found in CreekClan territory.

I V Y L E A F

This plant is mostly used to hold and contain herbs. CreekClan is the most likely clan to use these leaves, though beech leaves can be used for larger amounts of herbs or if ivy leaves cannot be found. Typically they are found in caves or on large rock formations in large vines. These leaves can be kept in any kind of environment, though once they are holding other herbs they should be kept fresh and replaced every couple of weeks or so. These leaves are typically found in caves and can occur naturally in the CreekClan camp.

J U N I P E R

The berries can be eaten to ease a bellyache or as a counter-poison, or to help ease breathing problems. The leaves can be eaten to sooth coughs or other respiratory problems. These are typically given by chewing and eating them. It is widely used by all of the medicine cats as it is a strong herb and capable of strong things. It is typically found in all of the territories.

L A M B S E A R

Lamb's ear is typically used as a traveling herb. Once the cats learned of it and moved to the rocky shores it became easier to find this herb. It is used to strengthen a cat, though ragwort, ragweed, burnet or, chamomile are preferred. Typically Lamb's ear is used by TreeClan. It can occasionally be found in CreekClan territory and in rocky soil.

L A V E N D E R

Lavender is typically used to reduce fevers and chills, though is also used to hide the scent of death and used used to prepare a body for burial. Lavender when used to help reduce fever and chills, the flowers are ground up with the leaves and eaten with either nectar or honey. Typically they are found in or near two-leg gardens, though also can be found in CreekClan territory or in rocky soil.

M A L L O W

Mallow leaves are typically used to help sooth belly aches. They can be eaten, or merely juiced to get the juices. They grow best in CreekClan territory, typically through-out the territory, but are best harvested during sun high when the water has evaporated off of them and the leaves are dry. These plants are often replaced with chervil, juniper berries, parsley, watermint, or yarrow.

M A R I G O L D

Marigold leaves and petals are typically chewed into a poultice and then applied to a wound. It helps to prevent infection and helps to stop bleeding. It also eases inflammation of joints. It can be found near sources of water throughout the territories. The majority of the clans prefer marigold over all other herbs that will prevent infection, but will use others when it is in short supply.

M I N T

Mint is most commonly used when a cat has died. It is used by rubbing the leaves against the body and into the fur to hide the scent of death. This herb has no medicinal value and is only really used by the elders when preparing a passed clanmate. Most prefer to use mint over lavender because it is stronger and will linger on the pelt longer. It can be found near in CreekClan and HillClan, though it is also common within two-leg gardens.

O A K L E A V E S

These leaves must be collected when dried and have fallen to the forest floor. They are typically best found during leaf-fall, but can be found sporadically during greenleaf. It helps to stop infection from setting in and so is often used by CreekClan medicine cats as it is one of the most abundant herbs during leaf-fall. Usually the cats are able to gather a large supply and keep it in a cool, dry place to keep them from rotting. They are found in CreekClan and TreeClan.

P A R S L E Y

Typically, parsley is used to stop queens from producing milk if they are producing too much milk, the kits no longer need the milk, or if the litter did not survive. It can also be used to help sooth a belly ache. This herb can be replaced with chervil, juniper berries, mallow leaves, watermint, and occasionally yarrow. Parsley is typically found in the CreekClan territory, though is also occasionally found near the CreekClan-HillClan border.

P O P P Y S E E D S

Poppy seeds must be harvested from a dried poppy flower. They are chewed on and given to cats that need help sleeping, have gone through shock or are distressed, or are in pain. These seeds can be replaced with dandelion leaves for pain. These seeds must not be given to nursing queens as it can bring harm to the kits. They can be found through-out the territories.

R A G W O R T

Ragwort leaves are most commonly chewed and mixed with juniper berries to ease aching joints. They can also be used to keep a cat's strength up. It can typically be replaced with comfrey root, daisy leaves or marigold to ease aching joints. This is not a preferred herb to use to bring strength, though it can be used if no others are found. Ragwort leaves are typically found in damp soil.

R A G W E E D

Ragweed is most commonly used for giving strength to cats. It is eaten usually. This herb was adopted by the clans after Leafpaw was taught it's uses by Stoneteller. This is a travelling herb that is used to bring up a cat's strength. It can be replaced with burnet, chamomile, juniper berries, lamb's ear, or ragwort leaves. Typically it is found near CreekClan camp.

R A S P B E R R Y

Raspberry leaves are used as a pain killer and can be used to stop bleeding during the kitting process. Raspberries have no medicinal value, but can be mixed with other ingredients to make it sweeter to taste. Raspberry leaves can be replaced with dandelion leaves or poppy seeds to stop pain. They are found in TreeClan and CreekClan.

R O S E M A R Y

Rosemary is applied to a dead cat's pelt during the burial ceremony. It is a sweet smelling plant that has no medical value. It is often used with lavender, mint, and watermint. These herbs are applied by elders while they are getting a body ready to be buried. It is most commonly found in HillClan, CreekClan, and around the TreeClan camp.

R U S H

Rush is used to bind broken bones. It has no medicinal value. This can be replaced with bindweed or cobwebs. Bindweed is typically preferred as it is stronger, but when it cannot be found, rush is usually the next used as it is stronger than cobwebs. Rush is typically found in CreekClan. It is best harvested when the soil is dry to prevent pulling up the roots of this plant. You should always cut as close to the ground as possible but never take the roots so it will grow back.

S N A K E R O O T

Snakeroot is one of the best counters for poison. *Especially for snake bites. It is used by chewing into a poultice or to a pulp and then applying directly to the wound. If the poison has been in for longer than ten minutes, it must then either be eaten or replaced with yarrow (if the poison was eaten). If not administered within an hour of the bite, the cat will typically die. Snakeroot can be found in TreeClan and CreekClan.

S O R R E L

Sorrel is used as a travelling herb to keep a cat from becoming extremely hungry. It can also help keep strength up. This herb must be eaten to obtain it's affects. Typically sorrel is found in the two-leg place but can also be found occasionally near the abandoned mill. This herb is similar to dock in appearance.

S T I C K

Sticks are typically used when no other medicine is available or recommended. It is most commonly used for queens giving birth to distract from their pain. Sticks are also used to bind broken bones. They are set on either side of the broken bone (sometimes all around if necessary) and then held in place with bindweed, cobwebs, or rush. It has no medicinal value. These can be found through-out the territories. Typically these are best collected after the sticks have fallen from the ground.

N E T T L E

The seeds of stinging nettle are typically eaten to induce vomiting while the leaves can be chewed into a poultice and applied to wounds to bring down swelling. Stinging nettle leaves can also be mixed with comfrey and fed to a cat to help heal broken limbs. Typically stinging nettle can be found through-out the territories.

S W E E T - S E D G E

Sweet-sedge is used by collecting the sap from the plant by breaking the long buds at the top off of the stem and squeezing the stem. The sap is fed to a cat to help reduce infection. Typically it is only used by CreekClan, though when times are tough and other herbs are unavailable other clans have sought this herb out. This herb is typically only found during leaf-bare. It can be found in CreekClan exclusively.

T A N S Y

Typically, tansy is used to cure coughs, wounds and poisons, prevent greencough, or sooth throats. But this herb can only be eaten in small doses and should not be consumed for more than nine consecutive days. This herb has a very strong and sweet smell, and does very well for hiding the scent of cats. This plant can be found in TreeClan and CreekClan, though can also (from time to time) be found in the two-leg place.

T O R M E N T I L

Tormentil root is chewed and applied to wounds. It is good with all kinds of wounds and poisons. This plant has a strong scent and a bitter taste, though it is very different from tansy. This plant must be harvested when the soil is wet to get to the majority of it's roots. It is most commonly found in TreeClan and CreekClan.

T H Y M E

Thyme is typically chewed on by cats who are distressed, in shock, or are going through anxiety. This will typically leave the cat feeling exhausted and is best given with poppy seeds to promote sleep. Thyme is typically found best in CreekClan and HillClan though can sometimes be found in two-leg gardens. This plant is best harvested during sun-high after the water vapor has evaporated from it.

W A T E R M I N T

Watermint is most commonly used by the clans to help with belly aches. It is widely accepted by CreekClan, though is sometimes used by CreekClan and HillClan. This plant can be found in damp soil. It is best picked and then left in the sun to dry for a day before being wrapped and placed in a cool dry place.

W I L D G A R L I C

Wild garlic is used by having a cat who has a wound that risks infection or that is infected roll in it. This is a good solution to rat-bites, though burdock root is often preferred. Wild garlic can be found near the TreeClan campsite and also in CreekClan. From time to time, patches of it can be spotted in HillClan. Most of the clans prefer wild garlic if it is a minor infection.

W I L L O W

Willow bark is chewed on to get the sap and juices from in order to be used as a pain killer. Willow leaves are used by eating to induce vomiting. Willow is a rare herb and can only be found near the two-leg houses. Willow bark is hard to harvest, and the leaves must be taken by the string of leaves. Cats have to be careful working with these plants though because the sap can often get stuck to fur and is difficult to clean off. Typically it will tear off patches of fur.

W I N T E R G R E E N

Wintergreen was first used by the Tribe and was taught to Jayfeather. This is a fairly new herb, so because of that it is up to each medicine cat to decide if they want to use this herb. Wintergreen is used to treat wounds and some poisons by feeding it to the cat that has been poisoned or applying it as a poultice to the wound. Typically it can be found in CreekClan though can sometimes be found in the two-leg place.

Y A R R O W

Yarrow is typically given by chewing into a poultice and then either being eaten by a cat who has swallowed a toxin or applied to a wound that has poison in it. The ointment can also be applied to sore and cracked paw pads. This plant can be considered poison if eaten in large quantities as it will cause a cat to vomit excessively. This plant can be found in CreekClan or near the abandoned mill.

P O I S O N S

The poisons shown to the left are in the following order: death berries, foxglove seeds, holly berries, deadly nightshade, and water hemlock. A description can be found below for each of these plants.

Death Berries.
Death berries are the most deadly berries in the territories. If eaten by a warrior, the cat will be dead within minutes, if eaten by a kit they will typically fall dead immediately. Death berries are sometimes used by the CreekClan medicine cats to put a cat out of it's misery. They can be found in TreeClan and CreekClan.

Foxglove seeds.
Medicine cats must be very mindful of these as they look just like poppy seeds. It is best not to collect these seeds as a safety precaution, though if they are necessary for your store, make sure they are put up away from curious kits and are kept away from the poppy seeds to avoid confusion. These can be found through-out the territories.

Holly berries.
Typically, holly berries are not as dangerous to warriors as they are to kits. Kits, if having eaten one of these, can be killed in minutes, a warrior on the other hand would have to consume several in order to be killed. These can be found through-out TreeClan territory and in CreekClan.

Deadly Nightshade.
Nightshade is sometimes used by medicine cats to kill a cat that cannot be quickly saved. Typically these are found throughout the territories.

Water hemlock.
This is even more dangerous than death berries. Cat's who have eaten this will show signs of convulsing and foaming at the mouth. Typically this plant is found in CreekClan.

*Any cat that has eaten any poison must be delivered yarrow immediately. Kits will die within minutes, so if they are outside of camp and have eaten any poison, they will not survive if there is no medicine cat. Warriors have approximately ten minutes for death berries and twenty for water hemlock, so if not identified immediately and not in camp, they will die.

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