Post by Danielle on Jul 30, 2016 6:54:23 GMT
Medicine cats are one of the most important roles within any Clan, and it is vital they can do their job well. In order to have a site-wide consensus of what herbs have which effects, here is a detailed list of all herbs within the game including location, appearance, and medicinal use. If something in this list is incorrect or could be improved, please let us know in a reply to this thread! If you think something should be added to the list, please make a thread in the Suggestions board so it can be discussed before it becomes part of the game canon.
*This is list is currently a work in progress. If you need the information for a specific herb before I've gotten to it here, feel free to PM me (Danielle) for the information and I'll get it done right away!
Description: Borage is a bristly plant with long, simple leaves and star shaped flowers. The flowers can be either blue or pink and have pointed petals.
Collection: Leaves that are fresh and of good colour should be picked from the plant as close to the stem as possible.
Preservation and Storage: Borage leaves should not be preserved or stored for too long, as their effects are strongest when fresh.
Detailed Usage: Fresh leaves may be consumed to help reduce a fever or to help nursing queens produce more milk for their kits.
When: Borage leaves grow from the beginning of greenleaf until the first frost of leaf-bare.
Where: Generally found near twoleg homes, by the rocky clearing in the forest, or by the carrionplace.
Description: A rather tall plant with large, wide leaves and round heads with purple or pink flowers.
Collection: Leaves should be of good colour and be free of spots eaten by insects. Roots must be dug up with care, never taking more than half of the roots of a plant so as to have a stable supply in the future. Roots should be firm, and should be free of insect damage. Seeds are to be shaken from the plant and collected from the ground.
Preservation and Storage: Roots should be washed, and both roots and leaves should be laid in the sun to dry before storing in a cool, dry place. Seeds must be dried slowly in the shade to preserve their healing properties, and may be stored in the same place as the leaves and roots.
Detailed Usage: Leaves may be chewed and put on sores, ulcers, or snake bites to aid in healing. The leaves, along with the roots, have antibacterial properties and can be applied on wounds to keep away infection. Seeds may be consumed to help a cat relax.
When: Leaves can be collected in early greenleaf, and roots are best when collected in mid-to-late-greenleaf. Seeds should be collected from late greenleaf until early leaf-fall.
Where: Near thunderpaths and bodies of water such as the gorge, river, or ditches.
Description: This plant has wide, hairy leaves with softly ridged edges and long flowers that are usually white.
Collection: Healthy flowers of good colour should be picked from the plant, leaving as little stem as possible.
Preservation and Storage: Flowers should be laid in full sun to dry. Store in a clean and dry place.
Detailed Usage: Catmint flowers can be consumed to ease breathing or lessen coughing, which makes it perfect to treat whitecough, greencough, and blackcough. Flowers may also be consumed to ease the pain of birth or increase the chances of a queen becoming pregnant.
When: Catmint flowers should be collected in mid-greenleaf.
Where: This herb can generally be found anywhere twolegs are nearby, especially in their gardens. Catmint also grows occasionally near thunderpaths.
Description: Chervil is a very tall plant with broad green leaves sometimes curled at the tips. It has small, white flowers similar to those of parsley and as such the two are easily confused.
Collection: The greenest leaves should be carefully picked from the plant, taking care to leave at least a third of the plant intact. If possible, only take as much of the herb as is needed at the time.
Preservation and Storage: Chervil leaves should not be preserved in any way as keeping them for too long makes their effects weaker. Keep in a cool, shaded place. Moisture can sometimes help keep them fresher.
Detailed Usage: When consumed chervil leaves have many benefits, such aiding in digestion, easing coughs, and relieving pain and inflammation.
When: Chervil leaves are most effective when collected early to mid-greenleaf. It's best to collect them in the mornings before the sun dries them out.
Where: This herb grows well in shaded areas near water, such as the river and the gorge. It's also fairly common in twoleg gardens.
Description: An abandoned spider's web.
Collection: Cobwebs are most easily collected on the end of a stick, but in an emergency a paw will work as well as long as the cobwebs are not stepped on.
Preservation and Storage: No special measures are needed to store cobweb.
Detailed Usage: Carefully wrap the cobweb on or around an open wound to stop bleeding. To avoid infection, another herb should be applied to the wound beforehand.
When: Can be found year-round, although generally more abundant in warmer months.
Where: Found anywhere spiders are, usually in areas with trees or bushes.
Description:Coltsfoot is a plant that appears similar to a dandelion, a yellow flower with a darker centre on top of a ridged stem. The leaves are broad, medium sized, and resemble the hoof of a horse.
Collection:Leaves should be collected as close to the ground as possible, picking them carefully at the stem. Flower heads should be removed carefully from the stem. Roots are to be dug up carefully, and at least half should be leaft untouched. Roots should not be overly soft and should be checked for insect damage.
Preservation and Storage: Both leaves and flowers can be laid in full sun to dry. Roots should be washed before drying in full sun as well. All three should be stored neatly in a cool, dry place.
Detailed Usage: Leaves may be consumed to soothe a cough or ease breathing. Any part of the plant can be applied as a poultice to reduce swelling.
When: Flowers and their stems should be harvested in early new-leaf when they are at the peak of blooming, while the leaves can be harvested later into the season. Roots can be dug up throughout leaf-fall.
Where: Coltsfoot is rather aggressive and spreads easily, but is most easily found in wet areas such as near streams and rivers.
Description: Possessing black, turnip like roots and large, hairy, broad leaves, comfrey bears small bell like flowers of various colours. Another type of comfrey can be recognized by it’s more bristly leaves and flowers that tend to be blue or violet.
Collection: One must be careful when digging up the roots as to ensure not shredding it, a cat should also beware that if digging up the bristly leaved type Comfrey to make sure not to touch the leaves as it will agitate the skin. Do not take all of the roots so it can regrow, but make sure to keep it under control as it’s a very aggressive plant. Comfrey Root is most supple right after the flower bloom and it is optimal to harvest it then. Newly grown Comfrey should not be harvested, and any flower stems should be cut as to ensure the young herb’s survival.
Preservation and Storage: Comfrey leaves and comfrey root should both be set out to dry - although it may take awhile because the plant is highly durable. The roots should be dried in a cool, dark, dry place for seven to fourteen days. When the roots are dry they won’t be rock hard but will be spongy to the touch - once dried they should be placed in a cool, dark place ready for usage. Comfrey leaves should be set out to dry and carefully handled as to make sure not to irritate the skin - once dry they can be placed in a cool, dry, dark place for when ready to be used to make into a paste.
Detailed Usage: Roots when chewed into a poultice can assist in repairing broken bones, healing wrenched claws, soothe wounds, relieve itching, or reduce inflammation in stiff joints. Comfrey root can also be used to line one's nest to help ease stiffness in wrenched shoulders. Keep in mind Comfrey should not be ingested as it is toxic to the liver. Leaves can be soaked in water to create a paste that can be pressed against the skin - but never used on an open wound - and held in place by cobwebs.
When: Depending on seasonal conditions comfrey leaves can be collected up to four times a year, although it should be collected throughout newleaf and greenleaf and avoid being harvested during leaf-fall so the plant can store nutrients to survive throughout leaf-bare. Comfrey roots should be harvested during leaf-fall only.
Where: Comfrey grows in damp, grassy places and can be most commonly found near water sources. That doesn’t mean it can’t be found elsewhere as it’s very fast growing. If left unattended Comfrey can overpopulate the area which can be difficult to separate as even the slightest traces of a leftover root can cause it to regrow.
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Credit goes to Usa-san for providing the information for comfrey! Thank you!
*This is list is currently a work in progress. If you need the information for a specific herb before I've gotten to it here, feel free to PM me (Danielle) for the information and I'll get it done right away!
Please note that this is to be used for roleplay purposes only. Do not attempt to use any of these to treat yourself or a pet, and consult a doctor or veterinarian instead.
Borage
Description: Borage is a bristly plant with long, simple leaves and star shaped flowers. The flowers can be either blue or pink and have pointed petals.
Collection: Leaves that are fresh and of good colour should be picked from the plant as close to the stem as possible.
Preservation and Storage: Borage leaves should not be preserved or stored for too long, as their effects are strongest when fresh.
Detailed Usage: Fresh leaves may be consumed to help reduce a fever or to help nursing queens produce more milk for their kits.
When: Borage leaves grow from the beginning of greenleaf until the first frost of leaf-bare.
Where: Generally found near twoleg homes, by the rocky clearing in the forest, or by the carrionplace.
Burdock
Description: A rather tall plant with large, wide leaves and round heads with purple or pink flowers.
Collection: Leaves should be of good colour and be free of spots eaten by insects. Roots must be dug up with care, never taking more than half of the roots of a plant so as to have a stable supply in the future. Roots should be firm, and should be free of insect damage. Seeds are to be shaken from the plant and collected from the ground.
Preservation and Storage: Roots should be washed, and both roots and leaves should be laid in the sun to dry before storing in a cool, dry place. Seeds must be dried slowly in the shade to preserve their healing properties, and may be stored in the same place as the leaves and roots.
Detailed Usage: Leaves may be chewed and put on sores, ulcers, or snake bites to aid in healing. The leaves, along with the roots, have antibacterial properties and can be applied on wounds to keep away infection. Seeds may be consumed to help a cat relax.
When: Leaves can be collected in early greenleaf, and roots are best when collected in mid-to-late-greenleaf. Seeds should be collected from late greenleaf until early leaf-fall.
Where: Near thunderpaths and bodies of water such as the gorge, river, or ditches.
Catmint
Description: This plant has wide, hairy leaves with softly ridged edges and long flowers that are usually white.
Collection: Healthy flowers of good colour should be picked from the plant, leaving as little stem as possible.
Preservation and Storage: Flowers should be laid in full sun to dry. Store in a clean and dry place.
Detailed Usage: Catmint flowers can be consumed to ease breathing or lessen coughing, which makes it perfect to treat whitecough, greencough, and blackcough. Flowers may also be consumed to ease the pain of birth or increase the chances of a queen becoming pregnant.
When: Catmint flowers should be collected in mid-greenleaf.
Where: This herb can generally be found anywhere twolegs are nearby, especially in their gardens. Catmint also grows occasionally near thunderpaths.
Chervil
Description: Chervil is a very tall plant with broad green leaves sometimes curled at the tips. It has small, white flowers similar to those of parsley and as such the two are easily confused.
Collection: The greenest leaves should be carefully picked from the plant, taking care to leave at least a third of the plant intact. If possible, only take as much of the herb as is needed at the time.
Preservation and Storage: Chervil leaves should not be preserved in any way as keeping them for too long makes their effects weaker. Keep in a cool, shaded place. Moisture can sometimes help keep them fresher.
Detailed Usage: When consumed chervil leaves have many benefits, such aiding in digestion, easing coughs, and relieving pain and inflammation.
When: Chervil leaves are most effective when collected early to mid-greenleaf. It's best to collect them in the mornings before the sun dries them out.
Where: This herb grows well in shaded areas near water, such as the river and the gorge. It's also fairly common in twoleg gardens.
Cobweb
Description: An abandoned spider's web.
Collection: Cobwebs are most easily collected on the end of a stick, but in an emergency a paw will work as well as long as the cobwebs are not stepped on.
Preservation and Storage: No special measures are needed to store cobweb.
Detailed Usage: Carefully wrap the cobweb on or around an open wound to stop bleeding. To avoid infection, another herb should be applied to the wound beforehand.
When: Can be found year-round, although generally more abundant in warmer months.
Where: Found anywhere spiders are, usually in areas with trees or bushes.
Coltsfoot
Description:Coltsfoot is a plant that appears similar to a dandelion, a yellow flower with a darker centre on top of a ridged stem. The leaves are broad, medium sized, and resemble the hoof of a horse.
Collection:Leaves should be collected as close to the ground as possible, picking them carefully at the stem. Flower heads should be removed carefully from the stem. Roots are to be dug up carefully, and at least half should be leaft untouched. Roots should not be overly soft and should be checked for insect damage.
Preservation and Storage: Both leaves and flowers can be laid in full sun to dry. Roots should be washed before drying in full sun as well. All three should be stored neatly in a cool, dry place.
Detailed Usage: Leaves may be consumed to soothe a cough or ease breathing. Any part of the plant can be applied as a poultice to reduce swelling.
When: Flowers and their stems should be harvested in early new-leaf when they are at the peak of blooming, while the leaves can be harvested later into the season. Roots can be dug up throughout leaf-fall.
Where: Coltsfoot is rather aggressive and spreads easily, but is most easily found in wet areas such as near streams and rivers.
Comfrey
Description: Possessing black, turnip like roots and large, hairy, broad leaves, comfrey bears small bell like flowers of various colours. Another type of comfrey can be recognized by it’s more bristly leaves and flowers that tend to be blue or violet.
Collection: One must be careful when digging up the roots as to ensure not shredding it, a cat should also beware that if digging up the bristly leaved type Comfrey to make sure not to touch the leaves as it will agitate the skin. Do not take all of the roots so it can regrow, but make sure to keep it under control as it’s a very aggressive plant. Comfrey Root is most supple right after the flower bloom and it is optimal to harvest it then. Newly grown Comfrey should not be harvested, and any flower stems should be cut as to ensure the young herb’s survival.
Preservation and Storage: Comfrey leaves and comfrey root should both be set out to dry - although it may take awhile because the plant is highly durable. The roots should be dried in a cool, dark, dry place for seven to fourteen days. When the roots are dry they won’t be rock hard but will be spongy to the touch - once dried they should be placed in a cool, dark place ready for usage. Comfrey leaves should be set out to dry and carefully handled as to make sure not to irritate the skin - once dry they can be placed in a cool, dry, dark place for when ready to be used to make into a paste.
Detailed Usage: Roots when chewed into a poultice can assist in repairing broken bones, healing wrenched claws, soothe wounds, relieve itching, or reduce inflammation in stiff joints. Comfrey root can also be used to line one's nest to help ease stiffness in wrenched shoulders. Keep in mind Comfrey should not be ingested as it is toxic to the liver. Leaves can be soaked in water to create a paste that can be pressed against the skin - but never used on an open wound - and held in place by cobwebs.
When: Depending on seasonal conditions comfrey leaves can be collected up to four times a year, although it should be collected throughout newleaf and greenleaf and avoid being harvested during leaf-fall so the plant can store nutrients to survive throughout leaf-bare. Comfrey roots should be harvested during leaf-fall only.
Where: Comfrey grows in damp, grassy places and can be most commonly found near water sources. That doesn’t mean it can’t be found elsewhere as it’s very fast growing. If left unattended Comfrey can overpopulate the area which can be difficult to separate as even the slightest traces of a leftover root can cause it to regrow.
Dock
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Dried Oak Leaf
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Feverfew
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Goldenrod
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Honey
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Horsetail
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Juniper Berries
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Lavender
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Marigold
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Mouse Bile
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Poppy
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Stinging Nettle
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Tansy
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Thyme
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Watermint
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Wild Garlic
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Yarrow
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Credit goes to Usa-san for providing the information for comfrey! Thank you!