A Study of Herbs v.1

[UnBaed 8910]

Spoiler

 

Boot Bridge, 1769

 

A Study of Herbs vol. 1

The published research of Her Royal Highness Alexandria Karina Barbanov

 

Ever since I had been young, I’ve always carried a great interest in botanical studies; all my life, nature has fascinated me and I’ve always felt a nagging curiosity to pursue and learn the little secrets that remain hidden within the soil at our feet.  It has often been a wonder to me on why others haven’t possessed a similar curiosity to know and understand the plant life that surrounds us as we move on with our lives; I suppose it is not a hobby many are keen on taking up.

 

Before the Scyfling Invasion arrived on our shores to the North, I had plans to stay within Valwyck and dedicate some months of my time in order to document and study the wildlife that was the Wickwald.  Unfortunately, a month before I was to begin my trip north, contact between the Scyflings and the Crows occurred and war consumed the land; it was no longer safe to conduct my studies in full.

 

I still sought out other paths in my research; my father, King Andrik IV, had carried the same interests in botany as I do--which is part of the reason why I am very dedicated to my work.  I had discovered notes of my father’s personal research, and books he had studied and learned from those myself.  As I proceeded with my studies, the war in the north continued and I was unhappy with my inability to aid during the battles; I’ve never been able to be a proper warrior.

 

The day came where I decided to look for other ways in making a difference and helping the people of Haense; I’ve chosen to dedicate all of my time in the study of medicinal herbs and the remedies that can be produced from them in order to treat those injured in the battles and raids against the Scyfling forces.  I am incredibly pleased with my discoveries thus far and wish to share my notes to better help those interested in this field.

 

The Herbs of Haense

Sphagnum Moss

Sphagnum moss’ appearance is quite interesting, as well as different from most other mosses; it is very thick and full, with soft stems that bear resemblance to the edelweiss flower in bloom.  The color of the moss varies from light and pale greens, to yellows, and to even deep reds; however, I’ve never had the chance of seeing the latter myself.  I presume such shades to exist in far more dreary moors and hillsides away from Haense.  The plant flourishes in moist conditions, preferring peaty soils and clean water.  In the Kingdom of Haense, it appears to favor growing near the western mountain-sides in the forests north of New Reza.

 

Being one of the first herbs for me to study, as well as one of the most useful for medicinal uses, sphagnum moss has the ability to work wonders in saving lives with more ease and efficiency--all while saving expenses.  When cleaned, dried, and stored into butter-muslin bags, the moss makes for a perfect alternative to dressing wounds than plain cotton dressings.  Sphagnum moss is twice as absorbent and even has properties that aid in preventing wounds from festering; however, it is still recommended that the raw juices of garlic is applied to the sphagnum moss packs before they should be used--for garlic is one of the best antiseptics and is far less harmful than alcohol.

 

I have managed to trek out into the forests and acquire some of the moss in order to propagate it within my garden, though I would not recommend others follow after my steps until after the threat of Scyflings has left the area.  I had nearly lost my own life when I first sought out this moss, but fortune had smiled upon me and my life had been spared.  The moss has taken well to the place I’ve given it within my garden and grows at a rather speedy pace, though it still takes approximately two years for me to harvest a useful amount of it to donate to the hospitals of New Reza and Johnstown.  

 

Bistort

Being a rather handsome and attractive flower, with slender stalks protruding high out of thick and lucious bushes; it is the root of this flower that is useful, for it acts as one of the most efficient internal uses of astringents to stay internal bleeding, as well as aid in issues with one’s bowels.  Additionally, the bistort root can rid children from worms.  Haeseni farmers are known to refer to it as the “twice-writhen” plant, for how gnarled and twisted the root of it appears.  I had discovered a clump of it growing around the edge of a damp clearing in the northern forests of Haense, during one of my treks northward in Scyfling territory.

 

To prepare the root for use, it must be dried and turned into a powdered form where it can then be boiled in water or wine for consumption.  A teaspoon of the powdered root with a glassful of water or wine is sufficient enough for adults; half of the powder is recommended for children.  For external use, the powder can aid in stopping bleeding for smaller wounds by applying the powder directly onto it - or by using it in the form of a poultice with the leaves and roots.  The taste of the root is rather starchy, but it does not have any odours.  

 

Arnica

A beautiful sight for the weary, for that is how I felt when I had finally managed to come across arnica atop the rocky gradients of the Steel Hills near the center of the northern forests of our Kingdom.  Golden yellow flowers bear the shape of a flat rosette at the ends of rather tall stalks and wiry rootlets spread themselves within the soil, gripping to the rocky hill face.  The flowers can be made into an oil or tincture for external application to aid with sprains, bruises, and the swelling of wounds; it is not recommended that a product with arnica is consumed, since it is known to be an irritant for the stomach.  Still, it is useful for treating tender flesh and the like - including chilblains, if the skin has not been parted.

 

During one of my trips north, I had given up my boots in order for my escort and myself to be able to pass quietly and in peace.  The journey was not kind to my feet, nor was the weather.  By the time we had managed to return to New Reza, I could barely stand on my own and my feet were horribly blistered, frozen, and in pain; however, by soaking them in warm water mixed with the oil of the arnica flower, I had been given great relief.

 

Butterbur

Found growing along the banks of the Lake Milena and the stream in the north coming from the mountain springs, butterbur is favorable to marshy and moist soils.  The leaves of the plant are stout, but very large; called the “umbrella plant”.  A purple-ish [though, sometimes white], spiky flower can be seen protruding out from the thick of the plant nearing springtime; however, it is the rootstock that is used medicinally.  When dried and grounded into a powder, which can then be boiled with water or wine--butterbur can aid in treating colds, coughs [if conjoined with coltsfoot], and fevers.  It aids with the latter, for it induces sweating for the individual that consumed it.  Unfortunately, the root carries a rather bitter and unpleasant taste.

 

The Herbs of the Crownlands

Yarrow

Being a very common herb to find along the roadsides and fields leading toward Helena, yarrow has often been easy for me to acquire and prepare into a medicine to donate to the hospitals of New Reza and Johnstown.  The whole plant is useful as an astringent to starch bleeding, while also aiding in lightly cleaning cuts it is applied to.  It looks similar to fool’s parsley, though with thicker, spreading white flowers atop its stalks.

 

I have taken to harvesting yarrow during my trips to the Crownlands [which are far safer than my trips north of New Reza], then drying it out within my greenhouse to turn into a powder.  From there, I’ve made the plant into a poultice mixture with warm water [or milk] which has worked well in treating cuts that aren’t severe enough to require sphagnum moss.

 

Cowslip

A very beautiful flower, that keeps low to the ground and grows in beautiful clumps of lemon-yellow flowers with many nodding heads.  I’ve found this plant growing around Lake Helena, nearing the d’Arkent Estate and more northward. The only useful part of the cowslip flower for medicinal practices is the yellow buds, and nothing else.  The flower holds calming and soporific properties, which I have taken to exploring a lot for my studies.

 

I have worked with a friend of mine, Ruben Batavus, in making a wine from the cowslip flower, which acts as a very efficient sedative.  Although the process was long, I’ve found it to be quite rewarding; already, I’ve had to use it in treating those unfortunate enough to be wounded in the Scyfling War.  The flower can be used in other ways, rather than just for wines or teas.

 

Recently, I had looked into making an ointment that would aid those suffering with joint and muscle pains caused by old injuries; two friends of mine had taken arrow injuries in their knees or thighs and have since been troubled by discomforts and pains, long after their wounds have healed.  By adding cowslip [as well as other ingredients], I had managed to make a cream to successfully ease their pain - if it is routinely applied on a daily basis.

 

Comfrey

Comfrey is another herb that I visit the Crownlands with intent to collect, for it is rather useful in treating illnesses and injuries relating to sprains, bruises, and inflammation.  It is a flowering shrub that can grow to be around five feet in height, with purple clumps of flowers sprouting at its ends.  I’ve been able to find it on the shores of Lake Helena, as well as on the riversides within the Crownlands.

 

The leaves and the roots of the comfrey plant are what possess medicinal qualities; the leaves often being meant for external use, while the roots are to be consumed in tea form.  A poultice or ointment made from the leaves have been known to aid in treating sprains, fractures, bruises, ect. Though do not mistake the plant to be a quick way to heal; time and rest are required for all injuries and illnesses - herbs like these are only meant to relieve suffering and help in making the healing process shorter. 

 

Moving onto the roots, if ingested, they behave much like the marsh mallow plant; which aids in clearing the lungs from phlegm and can sooth throat pains, as well as quelling other minor illnesses such as colds.  To prepare the roots, it is much like the rest of the herbs detailed in this treatise; dry them out and ground them into a powder.