In Harvesting flowers, gather them in their
prime, and during full sunlight. They must be opened all the way
and not tainted with dew.
In Harvesting plants used for their leaves, pick only the
freshest and greenest leaves, because wilted ones will weaken the
healing power of the fresh ones. Leaves from plants that have not
gone to seed, or even flower, are best. Be careful not to bruise
them!
In harvesting roots, they must be cleaned before use. Make sure
any roots gathered are good, with no rotten or worm-eaten spots.
Gather roots during a dry spell, if at all possible.
Plants are placed on a screen made by stretching a light
material over a frame and securing it, then placing it in
a well ventilated room.
Plants can be spread out on a warm, dry shelf. They must
be turned frequently and kept at the correct tempature,
not too hot nor too cold.
Plants can be tied in small bunches, head down, in a dry
room. Make sure they cannot get wet or they mildew! You
can protect them with a 'sleeve' of muslin. After dried,
all herbs can be stored in water tight containers such as
jars with tight fitting lids.
Clarifying
Clarification is the process of purifying
a substance after processing. In the case of honey,
syrups, etc. this is done by melting and skimming or
filtering through a suitable material.
Juice Extraction
Expression is the method whereby the
juices of herbs are extracted by pressing them, actually
squeezing the remedy out of the herb. There are three
types:
DECOCTION- is extraction by boiling the herbs.
INFUSION- is extraction using hot(NOT boiling) or cold
water.
MACERATION- is prolonged infusion using alcohol or dilute
alcohol.
Powdering
Comminution is the reduction of herbs to
small particles. herbs must first be thoroughly dried,
then crushed to a fine powder with a mortar and pestle.
Filtration and
Percolation
Filtration is the process by which
liquids are separated from substances mechanically
suspended in them. The easiest method is by using fine
woven cloth.
Percolation is the most perfect method of obtaining the
soluble parts of remedies. It consists of allowing
menstruum to trickle slowly through a column of material.
Herbal Remedies for Common Ailments
Analgesics ( Pain
Killers)
Weak: These are weak
pain killers that reduce pain without loss of
consciousness.
Common ones are : red willow salic and meadowsweet
Strong: A drug that
soothes and calms and is used as a strong pain killer.
Common ones are: aconite, whitethorn, adonis, fellis,
glovecap,and hops.
Herb Descriptions:
Aconite: There are two varieties of aconite. Forest
aconite grows up to three feet high. The roots are thick
and tubular. It has five sepals, one of which is hooded
or helmet like over a blue flower. Forest aconite grows
in rich woods, shaded ravines and damp slopes. Its season
is early summer. Mountain aconite is 3-9 feet long from
fairly slender roots. It too has a showy blue flower and
grows from mid-summer to early fall among forested areas.
Adonis: A pretty green plant which strikingly beautiful
flowers. Adonis tends to grow in clumps or fields and the
low-lying plant is very pleasantly scented during
flowering season. The heady scent betrays the medicinal
value present in the beautiful flowers of the adonis.
Willow Salic: Related to the willow. It has plenty of
flowers during the season and it grows as small trees or
shrubs in cold to warm temperature environments. Like the
willow it has oblong, narrow leaves. The flowers of the
salic can be used for its medicinal value.
Fellis: Fellis trees are branchy and small and have
easily recognizable yellow blossoms with pointed petals.
The yellow blossoms are capped by a five pointed star
pattern of small green leaves. An additional star-shaped
leaf grows in the center of each of these tufts,
accenting the general shape. This is a common herb all
throughout Pern and its growing season is from late
spring to early fall. The juices of the fellis have great
medicinal value but should be used with caution as the
juice is highly addictive.
Glovecap: A flowering grey-green plant. The blue flower
is contained within a system of leaves, one of which
rises up and over the flower similar to a cap. A second
serrated leaf almost touches the 'cap'. The visual effect
has been to call this plant the glovecap. Glovecap's
flower contains potent medicine. The flowering season is
mid-spring to early summer.
Whitethorn: A smallish bush that grows in dry areas. It
is a gray-green like many Pernese plants. The name
whitethorn comes from the triangular white thorns which
run up and down the stem of the plant. the thorns can be
harvested and used for medicinal purposes.
Hops: A flowering plant with 3-7 lobed leaves. The cones
of the hop plant can be cultivated for medicinal use.
Grows in thickets and other lush areas. Its season if
from mid to late summer.
Meadowsweet: An erect shrub 12 to 48 inches high with
tough yellowish-brown stems. Its leaves are finely
serrated, and oblong(2to 3 inches) and rather firm in
texture. Incredibly small white flowers appear on the
bush during flowing season. Grows chiefly in low ground
areas late spring to early fall. The leaves and bark of
the branches can be used for medicines.
Cough Medicines
These are used to sooth racking coughs
and sore throats: tussilago, comfrey, hyssop, thymus,
borrago,anise, beth root, and blue mallow.
Herb Descriptions:
Borrago is very similar to comfrey, in that it's stem has
lower encasing leaves and continues up and curves back
around. It is a coarse plant with clear blue corollas and
oblong leaves. This is a persistent plant that spreads
easily to waste areas. The sap and juices from the
borrago is of medicinal value.
Hyssop: A perennial herb with simple branches and linear
leaves. Its flowers are blue-purple and grow in small
clusters crowded in a spike. It grows in dry areas in the
west. The harvesting season if from mid-summer to
mid-fall. The leaves are of medicinal value.
Comfrey: A plant that seems to come from a split half of
leaves. Above the larger bottom leaves which curl back in
at the top and have spikey edges grow considerably
smaller tufts of leaves with white, yellow or purple
corollas. Pretty little flowers of a similar color grow
further along the stem which curls back into the
protective embrace of the leaves. Grows in damp areas
from late spring to early fall. This plant's juices have
wide medicinal values.
Diaphoretic and Fever/Febrifuge
Diaphoretic: These increase body
perspiration. Common ones are: box, ezob, jambul seed,
parsley, summer savory, thyme, and spikenard.
Fever/Febrifuge: These are used to reduce and cure
fevers. Common ones are: sweatroot, spearleek, whitebulb,
camphor, bitter root, parsnip, ash bark, chaulmoogra oil,
and goosegrass.
Herb Descriptions:
Ezob: A grey-green triangular-stemmed plant which
proliferates in the warm and jungle climates of Pern. The
three sided, spotted leaves are a dead giveaway to the
ezob, which flowers dark purple during season. The leaves
and stem of the ezob have medicinal value.
Whitebulb: A low-lying greenish plant which grows hanging
white bulbous fruit from its branches in late spring. It
tends to grow in rich tropical climates, and the white
bulbous fruit can be used for medicinal purposes.
Box: A small plant family typically of tropical and warm
regions, these are perennial herbs of small evergreen
leaves a watery juice and small greenish flowers. The
juices of the herb are of medicinal value.
Parsley: A common herb used in cookery. Small green
branches with toothed leaf-segments. This common herb can
be found all over Pern, especially in the kitchen gardens
of any hold. There is medicinal value in the leaves of
the herb.
Sweatroot: The gray-green leaves of the sweatroot plant
are broad and tough indicating the strength of the root
system. The three sided stem has black stripes up and
down it which carry into the leaves of the plant by
highlighting their veins. Sweatroot can be harvested from
late spring to mid summer.
Tonics
These invigorate, refresh, restore, and
stimulate the body, commonly given after a sickness to
help strengthen the patient. Common ones are:
featherfern, nettleweed, tansy, beth root, dewberry,
coriander, wild woodbine, sage, and watercress.
Herb Descriptions:
Nettleweed: A common wild plant with hairs on its leaves
that sting and redden the skin upon contact. It grows
commonly throughout Pern. Careful harvesting of the
leaves of the nettleweed can lead to excellent
ingredients for medicinal solutions.
Featherfern: A low-lying leafy plant that grows in damp
areas from mid-spring to early fall. The broad green
leaves are soft to the touch, hence the name featherfern.
The leaves, also not coincidentally resemble giant
feathers of a wherry or similar flying(non-draconic)
animal.
Herbal Burn
Treatments
1. Soothing Lotions
Used to sooth all burns. Common ones are: aloe, dragon's
tongue, comfrey, cucumber, and witch hazel.
Herb Descriptions:
Cucumber:A large oblong greenish vegetable with a slight
curve to it. Inside, near transparent seeds are protected
in a ring of tasty white meat with a thin but tough green
skin protecting the vegetable from the elements. There is
a medicinal value in this vegetable as it can be made
into a pulp which yeilds a soothing cream. The cucumber
can also be sliced and the slices applied directly to the
burn.
Witch Hazel: A small greenish shrub with thin branches
and broad green leaves. During the flowering season,
Witch Hazel shrubs flower pristine little yellow flowers.
Grows commonly in the northwest. The leaves and bark of
the Witch Hazel have medicinal value. They can be made
into a poltuce to sooth burns etc.
Comfrey: A plant that seems to come from a split half of
leaves. Above the larger bottom leaves which curl back in
at the top and have spiky edges grow considerably smaller
tufts of leaves with white, yellow or purple corollas.
Pretty little flowers of a similar color grow further
along the stem which curls back into the protective
embrace of the leaves. Grows in damp areas from late
spring to early fall. This plant's juices have wide
medicinal values.
Aloe: This plant has a tall flowered scape, at the base
of which clusters its flat leaves with spiny teeth. The
leaves come together just above a rooted crown that
delves into the earth. The sap of the aloe plant is
harvested for its medicinal value. Grows in dry woods,
thickets and open slopes during summer.
Dragon's Tongue: Dragon's Tongue is very similar to Aloe.
The shape of the leaves is slightly different, however,
being thinner and ending in a sharp point akin to the
tongue of the Dragon. Like Aloe, its sap has medicinal
value.
Miscellaneous herbs
and their uses:
1. Diuretics
These increase urine flow. Common ones are: ash bark,
sandwort, blackcherry root, black currant, and water
lily.
Herb Descriptions:
Ash bark: This is from a large sturdy tree, the ash. The
bark is gray and furrowed, with smooth gray branchlets.
The leaves resemble spades, and during the flowering
season small clusters of oblong flowers can be seen. The
bark can be ground into a fine powder of medicinal value.
Grows in rich upland and lowland woods.
2. Antispasmodic
These prevent and relieve spasms and convulsions. Common
ones
are: parsley, basil, catnip, goosefoot, birthwort, and
scullcap.
Herb Descriptions:
Basil: A pleasant smelling green herb that grows 25 to 50
inches high. Its leaves can be crushed for medicinal
purposes. They are elliptic or oblong generally blunt
ended. Found in the woods from dry to moist climes during
mid-summer to early fall.
3. Stimulants
Used to revive patients. Common ones are: ammoniacum,
ginger,
cayenne, paprika, and cumin seed.
Herb Descriptions:
Ginger: Ginger is a warm climate plant, needing the wet
and humid weather of the southern regions to flourish.
This herb grows in clumps, with the average height of the
stems being about 4 feet high and the leaves can reach a
length of 1 foot. The roots of the ginger plant are
harvested and scraped or scalded into a powder or paste.
The oil from the root can also be extracted from the
plant and used for medicinal or cooking purposes.
4. Other Herbs and their uses:
Barley: A plant of about 8 to 30 inches high resembling
wheat. Its top is greenish or bronze and a little over
half an inch thick. Inside the top are small seeds which
have medicinal value and can help relieve the symptoms of
cystitis that female riders sometimes suffer from. Grows
in meadows and along shores, a second smaller variety can
be found in the plains. The larger grows mid-summer to
early fall, the smaller can be harvested in late spring.
Citron are round fruits of trees that appear to grow
essentially in more tropical regions. Ranging from orange
to yellow, sweet to bitter, the citron fruits contain
refreshing juices that have a history of helping to
maintain excellent health and preventing the bleeding gum
disease.
Numbweed: A twiggy sagelike shrub with opposing leaves
which resemble arrowheads with sweeping trails. They are
a gray-green color and sprout tufts of blossoms like
statice. Numbweed bushes tend to grow in jungle areas.
The sap of the numbweed leaves is of indispensable
medicinal value as this juice numbs the skin.
Redwort: A reddish green plant that grows in clumps close
to the ground. Its thick stem contains reddish veins
running through it and during the flowering season, it
produces a flat-topped purple or rose flower. It is a
clean smelling herb, and is the main source of
disinfectant on Pern. Its juice will kill germs and
infection agents. It grows well in the land of Pern,
especially suited for moderate to dry climates.
Mosstea: This is an abundant herb that grows low to the
ground and is heavily leaved. The small leaves are of
medicinal value. It's light green leaves often have a
feeling of felt. It can be found in many areas throughout
Pern, and grows in late spring to early fall. It can be
made into a soothing tea or used to pack wounds to aid in
preventing infections and healing.
Needlethorn: This is a succulent bush which protects its
fruit during season by shooting sharp toxic spines into
anything which disturbs it. At the time the flowers of
the nearby ging treess open, the Needlethorn bush has
fallen into dormancy and its spines can be collected for
needles. This grows mostly in isolated, lush tropical
areas.
How to Use Herbs
Burns
For initial treatment of a burn, refer to
the burn scroll.
Possible treatment options:
1. Cucumber: By slicing a piece of Cucumber, you may
apply it topically to the burn, allowing it to soak into
the burn.
2. Witch Hazel: Directly apply the leaves of the Witch
Hazel to the burn.
3. Comfrey: Extract the juice of the Comfrey onto the
patient, and softly spread it around the burn.
4. Aloe: The sap of the Aloe should be squeezed out from
the leaves and apply directly to the burn.
5. Dragon's Tongue: As with the aloe, squeeze the sap
from the leaf and apply it to the burn.
6. Numbweed: Apply the numbweed to the burn to numb the
pain. Or have them drink willowsallic.
Clean the burned area with numbweed first. It will lessen
the effect numbweed has but preventing infection is
number 1 priority.
Infection
Possible tTreatment options:
1. Soak clean bandages in water steeped with fresh/peeled
garlic cloves. Apply bandages to wound. If wound is old
and well scabbed over it may have to be opened and
drained before this.
2.Mosstea: Well known for its aid in preventing
infections, applying this herb directly in packs to the
wound will help prevent further infection. By brewing it
into a tea, it may also be used for infections.
3. Redwort: A necessity for almost any healer, applying
Redwort directly to the skin serves as a potent
disinfectant.
4. Numbweed: To soothe the pain of the cut, apply a tiny
dab of Numbweed to the skin.
Birth
For initial treatment for a birthing,
refer to: Midwifery Scroll
Possible treatment options:
Numbweed: The numbweed will serves to damped the pains of
birth, so local application of it is required.
Internal ingestion of pain killers such as aconite ,
whitethorn, adonis,
fellis, glovecap, and hops may also be used to lessen the
pain.
Illness
Treatment options:
Borrago: To help with the cough, it is a good idea to use
the juice and sap of borrago as a treatment.
Hyssop: The flowers of this plant are valued for their
medicinal value and should be brewed into a tea of some
sort and ingested.
Comfrey: By ingesting the valuable sap of Comfrey, the
patient may be relieved of the coughs and sore throats.
Ezob: To reduce the perspiration, the leaves of ezob may
be brewed and ingested.
Whitebulb: The fruit of the whitebulb should be ingested
in small portions.
Box: Juices of a high medicinal value, they should be
ingested by the patient.
Parsley: The leaves of the parsley should be brewed into
a light tea and ingested by the patient.
Sweetroot: As with the others, the leaves of the
sweetroot can be uesed in a tea.
After the sickness, it is wise to provide the patient
with these:
Nettleweed: This can be combined with a variety of other
Herbs to make a stimulating tea.
Featherfern: The leaves of this unique plant may also be
brewed into a refreshing tea.
WARNING: READ THIS!!
There are certain Herbs that are used for external use
ONLY!! If ingested by the patient, it may cause serious
danger. Please be careful when applying or having a
patient ingest a herb of any sort. If in doubt, contact a
Master or Journeyman.
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