Post by MINKSTAR:: on Apr 9, 2014 21:19:16 GMT
Contents:
Herb Masterlist
Caring For Herbs
Common Illnesses / Poisons
Herb Masterlist
Caring For Herbs
Common Illnesses / Poisons
Hello! This's Gingernose (MINKSTAR::), and I've written all this myself (aside from the format of the herbs section and some of the writing in that section, which is copied from its wiki page). If this gets reposed I'd like to be credited (whether as Gingernose or Accioaltias@dA) and I appreciate it if you tell me beforehand if you need/want to!
The entirety of the last two sections are hand-written by myself.
As of right now, most herbs are pulled from the wiki page (therefore making them 'canon' and fully usable) and others are taken from my personal herb books - "The Rodale Herb Book" by Nelson Coon, Louise Hyde, Bonnie Fisher, Barbara Foust, Heinz Grotzke, Marion Wilbur, and William H. Hylton, and "Sunset Western Garden Book" which was written by the editors of Sunset Magazine and lists lots of herbs and other flowering plants. Added plants and canon plants will be specified.
Herb Masterlist
All herbs listed here are grouped by habitat and native areas, so if you're hunting somewhere in Heartwood you're best off looking at the appropriate habitat list for forest regions! Press Ctrl+F and type in "Forest", "Marshes", "Fields", "Twoleg", or "Other" for different habitats.
Much of this is copied or edited from the wiki article, with additional usages and effects listed added on from personal research.
All canon herbs and usages are listed with the * symbol. All added usages and added herbs are marked with the ` or ~ symbol.
Forest
*Beech Leaves
Description: Large, broad leaves that may be serrated, entire or sparsely toothed.
Location: Grows in almost any soil that is not waterlogged.
Usage: To be used to carry other herbs.
Effect: None.
*Bindweed
Description: Arrow-head shaped leaves with pale white or pink trumpet shaped flowers.
Location: Grows almost anywhere.
Usage: Fastens sticks to broken legs to keep them in place.
Effect: None known.
*Blackberry Leaves
Description: Leaves from the prickly blackberry bush.
Location: Almost anywhere; they are very hardy plants, and are quick to spread.
Usage: These leaves are chewed into a pulp.
Effect: Used as an anti-inflammatory, mainly to cure the swelling caused by bee stings.
*Borage Leaves
Description: It is easily distinguished by its small blue or pink star-shaped flowers and hairy leaves.
Location: Grows best in forests.
Usage: It is chewed and eaten.
Effect: Encourages milk flow in queens, and cools down fevers in sick cats. Aids arthritis pains and swollen joints. Its seeds are said to help sick cats with troubled breathing.
*Burdock Root
Description: Tall-stemmed thistle with a sharp smell and dark leaves. Its burrs may irritate the skin.
Location: Fields and forests.
Usage: The root is dug up, the soil is washed off, and then chewed into a pulp.
Effect: Acts as an antibacterial and anti inflammatory mixture, helps regulate digestion, used for blood sugar control. Also used to calm skin irritations.
*Celandine
Description: Yellow flower with four petals.
Location: Grows better in forests, but may show up in some fields (near water sources).
Usage: Juice is dripped lightly into the injured eye.
Effect: Soothes damaged eyes. May also be used for upset stomachs.
*Chervil
Description: A sweet-smelling plant with large, leafy, fern-like leaves and small white flowers. The roots are described as being knobby and brown, as most roots are.
Location: In forests, generally.
Usage: Chewed to extract the juice of the leaves or the root.
Effect: For infected wounds and bellyache, respectively. Can also be used during kitting to calm the mother's contraction pains.
*Chickweed
Description: Tall-stemmed plant with fat, almond-shaped leaves.
Location: In warmer parts of forest, may also exist in field territories in lightly forested parts.
Usage: Eaten, such as catmint/catnip.
Effect: Treats greencough, though catmint is often preferred. Supposedly helps joint and muscle pain.
*Cob Nuts
Description: A smooth brown nut with a hard outside shell. A type of hazelnut.
Location: In, under or near hazel trees that grow in sunny spots.
Usage: Added into ointments or poultices to sweeten them - although cats cannot taste sweetness, so this nut is not very useful. Generally advised against using in a traditional warriors
setting.
Effect: None.
*Cobwebs
Description: Long, thin, shiny strands spun into a web by spiders. Very common.
Location: Anywhere with spiders - which is to say, drier areas.
Usage: Press over wound, or wrap around poultices to keep them from coming off.
Effect: To soak up and stop (or slow) bleeding. It may also be used to bind broken bones.
*Coltsfoot
Description: A flowering plant with yellow or white flowers resembling dandelions. Grows best in newleaf.
Location: Grows in wet areas - generally speaking, marshes or riverbeds.
Usage: Leaves chewed into a pulp - and then either eaten or applied to injury.
Effect: Eases breathing or kitten-cough. Acts as an anti inflammatory and cleanser for cracked or sore pawpads.
*Daisy Leaf
Description: Thick, dark green, oval shaped leaves.
Location: Almost everywhere.
Usage: Chewed into a paste.
Effect: Eases the pain of aching joints. It is also a travelling herb. May be used for back pain.
*Dandelion
Description: Common yellow-flowered plant with long, hollow stems. After flowering is finished, the flower transforms a sphere made out of hundreds of smaller white florets with seed heads at
the bottom that connect to the flower head.
Location: Almost everywhere.
Usage: The white liquid is thought to be applied to bee stings. Leaves can be chewed.
Effect: Thought to soothe and heal bee stings. Its leaves can also be chewed to act like a painkiller.
*Dock
Description: Common, large-leafed plant with a tangy smell and taste.
Location: Doesn't grow well in mountains or open areas, best in forest or marshy territories.
Usage: Chewed up and applied to scratches. Similar to sorrel.
Effect: Soothes scratches, though can sting when being applied Soothes sore pads.
*Fennel
Description: Thin, spiky leaves.
Location: Found in numerous places, especially on dry soils near the sea/coast and on riverbanks.
Usage: Stalks are broken and juice is squeezed into the patient's mouth.
Effect: Helps pain in the hips, especially during kitting.
*Feverfew
Description: Small bush with flowers resembling daisies. Has a sharp tangy smell and small soft leaves.
Location: Grows best along rivers - so this could be almost anywhere, depending. Check individual territory to figure if this works.
Usage: Eaten.
Effect: Reduces body temperature for cats with fever or chills. Also heals aches and pains, especially good for headaches.
*Heather (Nectar)
Description: Nectar found in a heather bush's bell-shaped flowers.
Location: Best grown in shady areas. Unsure on whether it grows better in marshland or not.
Usage: Included in herbal mixtures.
Effect: Makes swallowing easier and sweetens mixtures, although cats can't taste sweetness.
*Honey
Description: A sweet, golden-coloured liquid made by bees.
Location: In honeycombs or bees nests up in trees - so any forest will do.
Usage: Eaten, or given by moss soaked in it.
Effect: Soothes infections, smoke-damaged or sore throats, helps cats swallow other concoctions, and helps soothe coughing. Said to give energy, but there's not much evidence of it.
*Juniper Berries
Description: Purple-blue berries from the dark green, spiky-leaved juniper bush.
Location: Grows in places that are not wet - so, generally, forests and fields.
Usage: Chewed and eaten.
Effect: Soothes bellyaches, invokes strength, and helps troubled breathing. It is also used to help calm anxious cats.
*Marigold
Description: A low-growing flower; yellow to bright orange.
Location: Near water - may grow in marshes, or anywhere with a river.
Usage: Petals or leaves chewed in a poultice. Juice can be used as well.
Effect: Stops infection and bleeding. Used as an anti inflammatory for stiff joints.
*Oak Leaf
Description: Round, ruffled leaves.
Location: Any leaves that fall off of an oak tree - usually found in a forest, but can grow in an isolated patch in a field, possibly. Do some research on your particular territory to make
sure.
Usage: Chewed and used as a poultice. Must be dried first, as any herb should be.
Effect: Stops infection from setting in.
`Peppermint
Description: The leaves are broad, with a dark green color with reddish veins, and with an acute apex and coarsely toothed margins. The leaves and stems are usually slightly fuzzy. The flowers are
purple. Is a relative to Watermint and Spearmint.
Location: Wet, shady places. May grow in wetter forests, near water.
Usage: Chewed.
Effect: Calms digestion.
*Poppy Seeds
Description: Tiny, round black seeds that are shaken out of a dried poppy flowerhead.
Location: Anywhere that poppies can grow - which means anywhere in the fields or forests.
Usage: Chewed on - but not in large amounts. Large amounts may be fatal, so stick to three or four seeds for cats who really need to be sedated. Two is suggested for a cat that has insomnia.
Effect: They can help a cat sleep, soothe shock or distress, or ease pain. Not recommended for nursing queens. May act as a hallucinogenic.
*Ragwort Leaves
Description: Tall shrub with yellow flowers. Tastes foul to cats.
Location: Almost everywhere, especially in cool areas with high rainfall.
Usage: Crushed and chewed; mixed with juniper berries, it can help aching joints.
Effect: Treats aching joints and invokes strength.
*Raspberry Leaves
Description: Soft to the touch, but with jagged edges.
Location: Found on raspberry bushes, which grow almost anywhere.
Usage: May act as a painkiller, or help stop bleeding during kitting.
Effect: May ease pain, or stop bleeding.
*Rosemary
Description: Tall with needle-like leaves and purple flowers.
Location: Supposedly grows in forests.
Usage: Put on the pelt of a dead cat to prepare for burial, traditionally. When used ingestionally, it is chewed up and eaten.
Effect: Used to hide overpowering scents, such as mouse bile. May be used for headaches, joint/muscle pain, or indigestion - generally may be used to calm a cat's stomach.
*Stinging Nettle
Description: It has green, spiny seeds.
Location: Generally speaking, in forests.
Usage: The seeds are eaten by a cat who's swallowed poison, or the leaves are chewed into a poultice for a poisoned wound.
Effect: Induces vomiting, or brings down swelling, respectively. Can be mixed with comfrey to help mend broken bones. Helps with lacerations, generally.
*Tansy
Description: The tansy plant has round, yellow leaves, and has a very sweet and strong scent, making it good for disguising a cat's scent.
Location: Found in the forest and near Twoleg places.
Usage: To be consumed, but only in small doses.
Effect: Cures coughs. Can be used to cure wounds and poisons. May prevent greencough and may soothe irritate throats.
*Wild Garlic
Description: Due to its strong smell, it is good for hiding the scent of a certain Clan, and disguising cats on raids.
Location: Found in forests.
Usage: One must roll in it if used for disguise - may be used in a poultice if chewed first.
Effect: Prevents infection, especially rat bites. May be an anti-inflammatory.
*Willow Bark
Description: Bark of the willow tree.
Location: Grows near Twoleg places, but may also exist in forest regions.
Usage: Chewed - usually splinters are chewed, though.
Effect: Eases pain.
*Willow Leaves
Description: Leaves of the willow tree.
Location: Wherever the willows exist - either at the edge of Twolegplaces or forest regions.
Usage: Eaten.
Effect: Calms stomachaches, ceases vomiting (although that isn't a safe option unless the cat's vomiting blood or something - if there's a toxin, it's gotta be vomited!).
*Wintergreen
Description: Easily identifiable by its red berries.
Location: Oak-pine woods and sandy habitats to sub-alpine places - so it wouldn't grow anywhere above tree level.
Usage: Unknown - possibly chewed and used in a poultice.
Effect: Treats wounds and some poisons.
*Yarrow
Description: A flowering plant.
Location: Grows in forest - may grow elsewhere, but you may need to look into that.
Usage: Its leaves are chewed into a poultice that can be given to cats to eat and swallow or applied to a wound depending on the situation.
Effect: Extracts poison from wounds. Will make a cat vomit up toxins. The ointment will soften and help heal cracked pads.
Fields
*Beech Leaves
Description: Large, broad leaves that may be serrated, entire or sparsely toothed.
Location: Grows in almost any soil that is not waterlogged.
Usage: To be used to carry other herbs.
Effect: None.
*Bindweed
Description: Arrow-head shaped leaves with pale white or pink trumpet shaped flowers.
Location: Grows almost anywhere.
Usage: Fastens sticks to broken legs to keep them in place. Also used to bind injuries that need pressure.
Effect: No supposed medical qualities outside of binding broken legs.
*Blackberry Leaves
Description: Leaves from the prickly blackberry bush.
Location: Almost anywhere; they are very hardy plants, and are quick to spread.
Usage: These leaves are chewed into a pulp.
Effect: Used as an anti-inflammatory, mainly to cure the swelling caused by bee stings.
*Burnet
Description: Has oval-shaped leaves with serrated edges. Stems grow 50-200cm tall, with large clusters of small flower buds on top.
Location: Usually found in dry, grassy meadows.
Usage: Used for either injury-cleaning or travelling.
Effect: Is said to help stop minor bleeding on humans. Keeps a cat from feeling weak on journeys. It can also be used on cuts and other lacerations.
*Catchweed
Description: A plant with fuzzy green balls on long stems.
Location: It is common in hedges and other low, shrubby vegetation, making it easy to find in fields.
Usage: The burrs are put on the pelt where poultices are.
Effect: Stops poultices from being rubbed off without hurting the skin. No real medical effects. Most medicine cats only use this when cobwebs or bindweed is not available.
*Celandine
Description: Yellow flower with four petals.
Location: Grows better in forests, but may show up in some fields (near water sources).
Usage: Juice is dripped lightly into the injured eye.
Effect: Soothes damaged eyes. May also be used for upset stomachs.
*Chickweed
Description: Tall-stemmed plant with fat, almond-shaped leaves.
Location: In warmer parts of forest, may also exist in field territories in lightly forested parts.
Usage: Eaten, such as catmint/catnip.
Effect: Treats greencough, though catmint is often preferred. Supposedly helps joint and muscle pain.
*Cobwebs
Description: Long, thin, shiny strands spun into a web by spiders. Very common.
Location: Anywhere with spiders - which is to say, drier areas.
Usage: Press over wound, or wrap around poultices to keep them from coming off.
Effect: To soak up and stop (or slow) bleeding. It may also be used to bind broken bones.
*Coltsfoot
Description: A flowering plant with yellow or white flowers resembling dandelions. Grows best in newleaf.
Location: Grows in wet areas - generally speaking, marshes or riverbeds.
Usage: Leaves chewed into a pulp - and then either eaten or applied to injury.
Effect: Eases breathing or kitten-cough. Acts as an anti inflammatory and cleanser for cracked or sore pawpads.
*Comfrey Root
Description: It has large leaves, small bell-shaped flowers, which are pink, white, or purple, and fat, black roots. Tangy smell.[34]
Location: Damp, grassy places - marshes or in wetter areas of the fields.
Usage: Roots are chewed into a poultice.
Effect: Repairs broken bones and soothes lacerations. Also used for wrenched claws. Can be used to cure itching, and acts as an anti inflammator for inflammation on stiff joints.
*Daisy Leaf
Description: Thick, dark green, oval shaped leaves.
Location: Almost everywhere.
Usage: Chewed into a paste.
Effect: Eases the pain of aching joints. It is also a travelling herb. May be used for back pain.
*Dandelion
Description: Common yellow-flowered plant with long, hollow stems. After flowering is finished, the flower transforms a sphere made out of hundreds of smaller white florets with seed heads at
the bottom that connect to the flower head.
Location: Almost everywhere.
Usage: The white liquid is thought to be applied to bee stings. Leaves can be chewed.
Effect: Thought to soothe and heal bee stings. Its leaves can also be chewed to act like a painkiller.
*Fennel
Description: Thin, spiky leaves.
Location: Found in numerous places, especially on dry soils near the sea/coast and on riverbanks.
Usage: Stalks are broken and juice is squeezed into the patient's mouth.
Effect: Helps pain in the hips, especially during kitting.
*
Feverfew
Description: Small bush with flowers resembling daisies. Has a sharp tangy smell and small soft leaves.
Location: Grows best along rivers - so this could be almost anywhere, depending. Check individual territory to figure if this works.
Usage: Eaten.
Effect: Reduces body temperature for cats with fever or chills. Also heals aches and pains, especially good for headaches.
*Goldenrod
Description: A tall plant with bright, yellow flowers.
Location: Grows well on moorland or fields.
Usage: Chewed into a poultice.
Effect: Generally speaking, best used for lacerations or other cuts. May quell spasms or decrease swelling.
*Juniper Berries
Description: Purple-blue berries from the dark green, spiky-leaved juniper bush.
Location: Grows in places that are not wet - so, generally, forests and fields.
Usage: Chewed and eaten.
Effect: Soothes bellyaches, invokes strength, and helps troubled breathing. It is also used to help calm anxious cats.
*Marigold
Description: A low-growing flower; yellow to bright orange.
Location: Near water - may grow in marshes, or anywhere with a river.
Usage: Petals or leaves chewed in a poultice. Juice can be used as well.
Effect: Stops infection and bleeding. Used as an anti inflammatory for stiff joints.
*Poppy Seeds
Description: Tiny, round black seeds that are shaken out of a dried poppy flowerhead.[92]
Location: Anywhere that poppies can grow - which means anywhere in the fields or forests.
Usage: Chewed on.
Effect: They can help a cat sleep, soothe shock or distress, or ease pain. Not recommended for nursing queens. May act as a hallucinogenic.
*Ragwort Leaves
Description: Tall shrub with yellow flowers. Tastes foul to cats.
Location: Almost everywhere, especially in cool areas with high rainfall.
Usage: Crushed and chewed; mixed with juniper berries, it can help aching joints.
Effect: Treats aching joints and invokes strength.
*Raspberry Leaves
Description: Soft to the touch, but with jagged edges.
Location: Found on raspberry bushes, which grow almost anywhere.
Usage: May act as a painkiller, or help stop bleeding during kitting.
Effect: May ease pain, or stop bleeding.
`Sage
Description: Sage is a common plant that requires well-drained dry soil, full sun, and little water. Small clumps can provide some shelter - wet leafbares can easily harm it, though.
Location: Enjoys growing on dry slopes and fields, generally speaking.
Usage: Chewed on and possibly swallowed.
Effect: Used for treatment of disorders of the respiratory tract, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and skin.
Marshes / Wetlands
*Bindweed
Description: Arrow-head shaped leaves with pale white or pink trumpet shaped flowers.
Location: Grows almost anywhere.
Usage: Fastens sticks to broken legs to keep them in place.
Effect: None known.
*Blackberry Leaves
Description: Leaves from the prickly blackberry bush.
Location: Almost anywhere; they are very hardy plants, and are quick to spread.
Usage: These leaves are chewed into a pulp.
Effect: Used as an anti-inflammatory, mainly to cure the swelling caused by bee stings.
*Coltsfoot
Description: A flowering plant with yellow or white flowers resembling dandelions. Grows best in newleaf.
Location: Grows in wet areas - generally speaking, marshes or riverbeds.
Usage: Leaves chewed into a pulp - and then either eaten or applied to injury.
Effect: Eases breathing or kitten-cough. Acts as an anti inflammatory and cleanser for cracked or sore pawpads.
*Comfrey Root
Description: It has large leaves, small bell-shaped flowers, which are pink, white, or purple, and fat, black roots. Tangy smell.[34]
Location: Damp, grassy places - marshes or in wetter areas of the fields.
Usage: Roots are chewed into a poultice.
Effect: Repairs broken bones and soothes lacerations. Also used for wrenched claws. Can be used to cure itching, and acts as an anti inflammator for inflammation on stiff joints.
*Daisy Leaf
Description: Thick, dark green, oval shaped leaves.
Location: Almost everywhere.
Usage: Chewed into a paste.
Effect: Eases the pain of aching joints. It is also a travelling herb. May be used for back pain.
*Dandelion
Description: Common yellow-flowered plant with long, hollow stems. After flowering is finished, the flower transforms a sphere made out of hundreds of smaller white florets with seed heads at
the bottom that connect to the flower head.
Location: Almost everywhere.
Usage: The white liquid is thought to be applied to bee stings. Leaves can be chewed.
Effect: Thought to soothe and heal bee stings. Its leaves can also be chewed to act like a painkiller.
*Dock
Description: Common, large-leafed plant with a tangy smell and taste.
Location: Doesn't grow well in mountains or open areas, best in forest or marshy territories.
Usage: Chewed up and applied to scratches. Similar to sorrel.
Effect: Soothes scratches, though can sting when being applied Soothes sore pads.
*Feverfew
Description: Small bush with flowers resembling daisies. Has a sharp tangy smell and small soft leaves.
Location: Grows best along rivers - so this could be almost anywhere, depending. Check individual territory to figure if this works.
Usage: Eaten.
Effect: Reduces body temperature for cats with fever or chills. Also heals aches and pains, especially good for headaches.
*Horsetail
Description: A tall, bristly-stemmed plant, said to have fleshy stalks.
Location: Any marshy area.
Usage: Chewed to a poultice, and applied to wounds.
Effect: Treats infections and stops bleeding when used in a poultice.
*Marigold
Description: A low-growing flower; yellow to bright orange.
Location: Near water - may grow in marshes, or anywhere with a river.
Usage: Petals or leaves chewed in a poultice. Juice can be used as well.
Effect: Stops infection and bleeding. Used as an anti inflammatory for stiff joints.
*Parsley
Description: A long-stemmed plant with ragged-edged crinkly leaves, Sharp scent, tastes cold and fresh, tastes the same fresh or dried.
Location: Grows best in moist, well drained soil, with full sun.
Usage: Eaten.
Effect: Stops a queen from producing milk if her kits die, don't need milk anymore, or are producing too much milk. Also used to cure bellyache.
`Peppermint
Description: The leaves are broad, with a dark green color with reddish veins, and with an acute apex and coarsely toothed margins. The leaves and stems are usually slightly fuzzy. The flowers are
purple. Is a relative to Watermint and Spearmint.
Location: Wet, shady places. May grow in wetter forests, near water.
Usage: Chewed.
Effect: Calms digestion.
*Ragwort Leaves
Description: Tall shrub with yellow flowers. Tastes foul to cats.
Location: Almost everywhere, especially in cool areas with high rainfall.
Usage: Crushed and chewed; mixed with juniper berries, it can help aching joints.
Effect: Treats aching joints and invokes strength.
*Raspberry Leaves
Description: Soft to the touch, but with jagged edges.
Location: Found on raspberry bushes, which grow almost anywhere.
Usage: May act as a painkiller, or help stop bleeding during kitting.
Effect: May ease pain, or stop bleeding.
Twoleg Herbs
Most herbs found here are not native to the forest, field, or marsh areas, and can only be found in either Twoleg gardens or abandoned Twoleg nests, generally.
`Aloe vera
Description: Smooth, with serrated edges.
Location: Commonly found in drier places or in Twoleg gardens. Grows in clumps.
Usage: Sections are broken off and the juices are rubbed on burns or other skin irritations.
Effect: Soothes burns and skin irritations. Rumored to be used for other various internal issues - although it's not something widely practiced in Clans.
*Catmint / Catnip / Field Balm
Description: A leafy and delicious-smelling plant.
Location: Rarely found in the wild; mostly found in Twoleg gardens. Best collected late in the day.
Usage: Eaten.
Effect: Best remedy for the deadly greencough, which kits and elders usually catch in the season of leaf-bare. Can also be used for whitecough. Eating too much will give a cat a
stomachache. Is rumored to be used for anxiety, arthritis, insomnia, hives.
*Chamomile
Description: A small, white flower with a large, yellow center.
Location: Can be found in Twoleg gardens.
Usage: Chewed and eatened.
Effect: Strengthens the heart and soothes the mind. Also given to traveling cats for strength. May be used for stomachaches.
*Lavender
Description: A small purple flowering plant. Its scent can be overpowering and may be used to hide other scents.
Location: Grown in Twoleg gardens. Can also be found in sunny spots with sandy or gravelly soil.
Usage: Unknown.
Effect: Cures fever and chills.
*Sorrel
Description: Sorrel is a leafy herb with defined leaves and rough texture. Its flowers are reddish.
Location: Can be found near Twoleg nests.
Usage: Eaten. Similar to dock, sorrel is used as a traveling herb.
Effect: Traveling herb. If eaten in large amounts, it may prove poisonous - so be careful.
*Tansy
Description: The tansy plant has round, yellow leaves, and has a very sweet and strong scent, making it good for disguising a cat's scent.
Location: Found in the forest and near Twoleg places.
Usage: To be consumed, but only in small doses.
Effect: Cures coughs. Can be used to cure wounds and poisons. May prevent greencough and may soothe irritate throats.
*Tormentil
Description: It has a strong, aromatic scent to it and a sharp taste.
Location: Found in most cool or cold areas, but other types may be found in gardens.
Usage: Chewed and put on the wound.
Effect: Its root is good for treating all wounds and extracting poison.
*Watermint
Description: A green, leafy plant.
Location: Usually found in streams or damp earth.
Usage: It is usually chewed into a pulp, and then eaten.
Effect: Eases the suffering that originates from a bellyache.
*Willow Bark
Description: Bark of the willow tree.
Location: Grows near Twoleg places, but may also exist in forest regions.
Usage: Chewed - usually only smaller, softened splinters are chewed, though.
Effect: Eases pain.
*Willow Leaves
Description: Leaves of the willow tree.
Location: Wherever the willows exist - either at the edge of Twolegplaces or forest regions.
Usage: Eaten.
Effect: Calms stomachaches, ceases vomiting (although that isn't a safe option unless the cat's vomiting blood or something - if there's a toxin, it's gotta be vomited!).
Other/General Areas
This is for things that are not noted anywhere else, i.e. mountainous regions, or just don't have a solid ideal location. Check the other sections for herbs that fit everywhere, though, like
blackberry bushes.
`Aloe vera
Description: Smooth, with serrated edges.
Location: Commonly found in drier places or in Twoleg gardens. Grows in clumps.
Usage: Sections are broken off and the juices are rubbed on burns or other skin irritations.
Effect: Soothes burns and skin irritations. Rumored to be used for other various internal issues - although it's not something widely practiced in Clans.
*Lamb's Ear
Description: Soft, fuzzy green plant. May also be called rabbit's ear.
Location: Commonly found in the mountains.
Usage: Supposedly chewed and eaten.
Effect: Gives a cat strength.
*Mallow Leaves
Description: Large fuzzy three-nubbed leaves from a flowering shrub; sweet rose scent.
Location: Grows best near ocean or river shore, but best collected at sunhigh, when they are dry.
Usage: Eaten.
Effect: Soothes bellyache.
*Mouse Bile
Description: Bile extracted from a mouse, usually stomach acid.
Location: Wherever mice live, I guess.
Usage: Dipped onto ticks.
Effect: Rids a cat of ticks, but smells awful. Many cats use something to overpower it until it goes away, like garlic, mint, or lavender.
*Ragweed
Description: Ragged-leaved plant resembling a fern.
Location: Thought to be commonly found in the mountains.
Usage: Thought to give cats extra strength.
Effect: Like lamb's ear, ragweed gives a cat extra strength and energy.
*
Rush
Description: It has long narrow leaves and lavender-colored head stalks.
Location: Often grows in infertile soils in a wide range of moisture conditions. Ideal habitat location is unknown - use fair judgement.
Usage: Used to bind broken bones.
Effect: Helps hold a broken limb in place, such as casts for Twolegs. No known medicinal usage.
*Snakeroot
Description: The best remedy for poison, especially snake bites.
Location: Grows mainly in warmer areas, however some grow in cooler areas. Ideal habitat location is unknown - use fair judgement.
Usage: Thought to be applied to wounds.
Effect: May heal poisons or infections, given that other herbs are added to the poultice as well.
*Sweet-Sedge
Description: Thick green stem with long buds at the top.
Location: Grows all through leaf-bare, as it is a hardy herb. Most common around the RiverClan camp - although there's no solid habitat, ideally.
Usage: One must swallow the sap, supposedly - it may be better to use the buds in a poultice.
Effect: Eases infections, generally speaking.
*Thyme
Description: Small, delicate, thick, sticky leaves with a fresh tang.
Location: Best in hot, sunny locations. No ideal location.
Usage: Leaves can be chewed on.
Effect: Calms nervousness, anxiety, and cats who are in shock. May calm spasms.
*Watermint
Description: A green, leafy plant.
Location: Usually found in streams or damp earth.
Usage: It is usually chewed into a pulp, and then eaten.
Effect: Eases the suffering that originates from a bellyache.
*Wintergreen
Description: Easily identifiable by its red berries.
Location: Oak-pine woods and sandy habitats to sub-alpine places - so it wouldn't grow anywhere above tree level.
Usage: Unknown - possibly chewed and used in a poultice.
Effect: Treats wounds and some poisons.
Caring for Herbs
Caring for Living Herbs
When harvesting herbs, a medicine cat should not take the entire plant - if that were the case, there'd be no more of that herb next time it would sprout. Regardless of how the cat harvests the herb or berry, spread out its seeds in likely places so that there's more to gather next time it blooms. (If it's the seeds that need harvesting, never take too many at once.)
Herbs must be given care during the seasons. Visit each herb patch and make sure there are no weeds, make sure that it's getting the correct water and sunlight it needs, and note any bug infestations on it - keep the herbs clean and happy and they'll grow better.
Curing Herbs for Storage
Firstly, have your herbs and berries laid out on a flat surface, usually in an open space, and secondly, allow it to sit in the sun for a day or two. Keep it out of the way of any cats or predators that may trample upon or eat the herbs. It's suggested that the medicine cat finds a sunny spot in the camp to dry the herbs, and to give fair warning to the Clan that they're not to be eaten, especially little kits, as they might get sick or die from an herb overdose (depending, of course, on the herbs eaten). Marshy Clans may have trouble finding a dry or sunny spot. In this case, it's easier to just throw out herbs that go bad, or possibly go a bit farther from the Clan's territory to dry herbs (some leaders suggest that medicine cats dry their herbs in the same place in sorted patches - this way, no one's at a disadvantage and StarClan won't be angry).
Common Illnesses and Poisonous Herbs
Poisonous Herbs
*Deathberries / Yew Berries / "Night Seeds"
Description: Red berries from the dark-leaved yew bush.
Location: Forested areas.
Usage: Sometimes used to kill other cats by making them eat the berry, but it can be an accident, too.
Effect: Frothing at the mouth, spasming. Can be fatal if not treated with yarrow or something similar to cough it up. May be used to put a cat down, especially if the patient is suffering
greatly.
*Foxglove Seeds
Description: Tiny, black seeds from the purple bell-shaped flower of the foxglove plant.
Location: Almost everywhere, especially in temperate regions.
Usage: They are used to treat heart problems in small amounts.
Effect: They can easily cause paralysis and heart failure if not used correctly.
*
Holly Berries
Description: Plant with spiny leaves that produces red berries with no medicinal value.
Location: Forests.
Usage: Unknown
Effect: May have the same effect as Deathberries.
*Nightshade
Description: A small shrub with faintly scented, bell-shaped flowers that are purple tinged with green in colour. Berries are shiny and black when ripe.
Location: Moist, shady places. Often grows in places where the soils are rich in limestone.
Usage: To kill a cat who cannot be saved quickly.
Effect: Poisonous and fatal, it will cause a cat to die.
*Water Hemlock
Description: Green or white flowers with petals in umbrella-shaped clusters
Location: Wet, marshy areas.
Usage: Unknown
Effect: Causes writhing and foaming at the mouth.
Common Illnesses and Conditions
AllergiesAllergies are rooted out when a cat vomits or shows negative reactions to an herb, foodstuff, or other organic item. A medicine cat should stay vigilant for these, because they are not always immediately apparent. Make a note to other cats to keep that particular prey (if it is indeed prey) away from the rest in order to delay or avoid another allergic reaction, as those can be fatal.
Greencough / Whitecough (and less commonly, Kittencough)
Whitecough is the lesser, beginning form, but without treatment it can escalate to Greencough rather quickly. These are characterized by chest pains, wheezing, and breathing difficulty. It can be fatal in younger cats, kits, older warriors, and elders, especially if untreated. Generally this is treated with catmint/field balm.
Venom and Poison
Usually injected into the bloodstream by a snake or other venomous creature, but may also be contracted from poisonous herbs listed above. Poison can also be gained from tainted prey/water as well as by inhaling too much smoke. The fatality chance gets more likely if there is a lot of venom in the body - small amounts may cause stomach irritation. It's best treated with yarrow or nettle leaves, depending on whether it's internal or external, respectively. Mild bellyaches may be treated with juniper or watermint.
Rotting
Some rat-bites or other infected injuries may get this bad without treatment. This may cause the body part to rot and smell awful - generally, the cat will be in constant pain unless the part is broken off or something. It's generally fatal, since there's no real way to treat it when it gets too far.
Muteness, Deafness, Blindness, Mental-Physical Disabilities
Many old cats get these as they grow older; however, these may appear in kits, depending on their genes. Inbred cats are more likely to get these fatal things, in addition to atrophied limbs at birth, loss of limbs, or other natural defects such as polydactyl paws or four ears. White cats with blue eyes are often deaf - whether mostly or completely white. Cats with heterochromia may be deaf in the blue-eye side ear if they fit those specifications.
Muteness is the rarest of the four, and doesn't always manifest noticably - except when the kit tries to mewl, and instead it lets out a pitiful breath of air. Mental disabilities in a character are discouraged unless there's research actually put into the cat (schizophrenia, autism, etc) but can be treated by a medicine cat to some degree - not enough to get rid of it, but enough to help a little. Again, do research for this sort of thing.
Inflammation
Inflammation is a fancy term for puffy stuff, like joints or infected injuries if they turn red and puffy in general. This happens mostly in arthritis.
Lacerations
Another fancy word for cuts. Scrapes do not fall under this, as there's no real laceration of the skin in that case. Lacerations are generally treated with a cleansing of the affected area in addition to a poultice applied directly.
Fever/Chill
Both may fit under the umbrella term of 'greencough' and should be treated as such. These both may come about if there is an infected injury somewhere.
Sprains / Joint Dislocation / Broken Bones
Sprains are purely muscular and are treated with gentle care, rest, and pain-lessening herbs.
Joing dislocation requires re-setting of the bone (which is painful, even with a pawful of poppy seeds) and may require some anti inflammatory herbs to keep the swelling down.
Broken bones also need re-setting and need to be binded with Bindweed and a stick to keep it set. A poultice may be applied here.
Insomnia / Night Terrors / Narcolepsy
Some cats have night terrors and cannot sleep. Some fall asleep rather easily. Some just can't get sleep easy.
The only real solution to a cat with insomnia or night terrors (or both, yikes!) is to give them some poppy seeds every few days - never for a long while, because poppy seeds may also cause weird hallucinogenic dreams, in addition to the fact that the poppy seed stash would get low pretty fast. Mint may be an alternative, and being chewed on or placed next to the nose while sleeping may invoke calmness and relaxed muscles. It may be advisable to also prescribe general relaxing herbs, and it may be that the cat needs to adapt to a polyphasic sleep schedule in order to fit into a good sleep habit.
Cats who are narcoleptic should be given strengthening herbs before going on patrols or before hunting - a narcoleptic cat may prove dangerous to themselves otherwise. It may also be advised that they go through a small waking-up ritual, in which they do various stretches. They may also need a polyphasic sleep schedule to right themselves, at least somewhat.
Note: Night terrors are not the same as nightmares - night terrors are vivid dreams and generally terrify whomever receives them (far more than the average nightmare).
Social Anxiety / Panic Attacks
Some cats have anxiety, which is stress caused by being in situations that make the cat acutely uncomfortable and upset. In these cases, a cat should be given relaxing herbs, possibly in addition to poppy seeds, and should be given some time to recover from panic episodes. Medicine cats should be sure to root out the trigger of anxieties (close contact, crowds, reminders of a past traumatic event) and make sure to help them avoid such things, in addition to giving them a simple exercise to distract from it, such as kneading the ground, counting to 10 or above, or thinking of different types of prey and plants. Never tell a cat that it's irrational to be anxious - this is an awful thing to tell someone in general, let alone someone with anxiety!
