A Herbalist's Guide to Aevos

[Toffee 2843]

Penned by Illynora Sylvaeri on behalf of Serinwë’s Hand in the 143rd Year of the Second Age.

 

To harness the natural power of herbs, one must learn how best to prepare them. This guide draws upon traditional Wood Elven practices for preparing herbs and includes practical wisdom on how best to harvest them. The herbs listed are not exhaustive but cover most of the herbs a healer will ever have cause to use.

 

This guide also has a companion piece, The Healer's Compendium.

 

Harvesting

Below is a guide on where to find herbs and the part of the plant which holds medicinal properties. After harvesting, herbs can be preserved by bundling and tying with twine, drying the herb in the sun until the moisture is gone, and hanging in a cool, dark space. The herb may then be stored in tightly sealed jars. Alternatively, Cryptus Mushroom may be dried, crushed into a powder, and sprinkled on herbs in order to dry them quickly.

 

Some herbs are particularly dangerous to harvest. Blissfoil pollen can numb the senses when inhaled and the skin when touched. It should always be harvested wearing gloves and with the nose and mouth covered. Mandragora releases spores which can render one paralysed. There are stories of herbalists drowning in shallow water. When harvesting this herb, one should always travel in pairs and cover the nose and mouth. Beard Weed should always be harvested with gloves to prevent unwanted hair growth on the hands.

 

Other herbs are especially delicate. Aqua Nymph must be wholly transplanted to a pot and brought back to the clinic or prepared at the site, for it is extremely delicate. Damage to any part of the plant will render the medicinal bulbs useless. Hiding Moss expands rapidly when exposed to light. One should either harvest it at night and keep it in a lightless container or harvest it under bright light, ensuring that the container is large enough. Otherwise, the container could break when the moss expands.

 

Amberiddle	In the branches of trees. Found in the central plains and the pine forest west of Haense.	Stems and leaves.
Atheros*	Dense forests and jungles, in the undergrowth.	Roots.
Aquate Root*	Around freshwater sources like lakes, ponds, and rivers.	Bulbs.
Aqua Nymph	Swamps and jungles in shallow freshwater such as ponds. Found in the areas surrounding Lurin, Nevaehlen, Amathine, and Balian.	Bulbs.
Barrier Bush	Frozen environments. Found in the frozen lands of the northwest and the tundra north of Norland.	Branches and leaves.
Beardweed	Dense jungles and forests on low branches. Found in the pine forest between Haense and Talar’nor and in the forest north of Nor’Asath.	Moss.
Bitter Reed	Muddy soil around ponds and lakes. Found in the marshland north of Lurin, on the western shore of the lake beneath Númendil, and in the marshland near Balian and Haelun’or.	Stems.
Blissfoil	Growing on or around birch trees. Found in the woods near Veletz and Aaun, with some small patches near Haense and Urguan.	Petals.
Blood Lotus	Deserts. Found all across the southern desert.	Flowers, leaves, and stems.
Coltsfoot*	Along paths and roads.	Leaves and flowers. The roots are toxic.
Cryptus Mushroom*	In caves or crypts growing on rotting bodies.	Fungus.
Draugr Tongue*	Grassy plains and meadows.	Flowers.
Dwarf’s Pumpkin*	Swamps.	Leaves.
Faerie Truffles	Forests, among the roots of trees. Found in the forests and plains surrounding Norland, the forest north of Nor’Asath, and the mushroom grove surrounding Nor’Asath.	Truffles.
Flash Fruit*	In the canopy of jungles or forests.	Skin and meat of the fruit.
Frost Vine	Cold climates. Found in the frozen lands of the northwest, the pine forests surrounding Haense, and the pine forest north of Norland.	Vine and leaves.
Gislocinovi	Found in the southeastern jungles.	Stalks.
Grobsnopper*	Humid forests on the trunk and lower branches of trees.	Flowers.
Hiding Moss	Found in the southwestern swamps.	Moss.
Javens	Sandy soil. Found in the savannah just west of the southern desert.	Burrs and seeds.
King’s Ivy	Grows over large rocks, tree trunks, and ruins. Found along the river running through the southern desert.	Flowers.
Mandragora	Found in the southeastern jungles and the southwestern swamps.	Root vegetable.
Nightglow	Found in the forest north of Nor’Asath and the plains between Haense and Veletz.	Flowers.
Night Sap	Sap found on branches. Found in the plains between Haense and Veletz and the pine forest west of Haense,	Sap.
Paddfoot	Found in the plains between Haense and Veletz.	Petals.
Serpent’s Stalk	Found around the lake east of Aaun.	Stalks.
Shade Leaf*	Shaded areas in forests and woodlands.	Leaves.
Swamp Blossom*	Swamps.	Sap inside the stems.
Tippen’s Root	Growing in and around carcasses. Found all over the continent.	Roots. The flowers are what make this plant smell foul.

 

 

Raw Herbs

Some herbs are best used in their raw state, or with very little preparation.

 

Beardweed	Promoting hair growth.
Blissfoil	Numbing and pain relief. This is an incredibly dangerous herb which can lead to permanent loss of feeling.
Blood Lotus	Can be made into a soup or stew to help replenish strength, particularly after heavy blood loss.
Faerie Truffles	Healthy eyes, hair, skin, and nails.
Hiding Moss	Because of its absorbent nature, this herb is used to pack deep wounds.

 

 

Oils

Dry vast quantities of the herb in the sun until the leaves or petals begin to wilt. Shred the herb into a glass jar and cover with a clear, distilled spirit. Place the lid of the jar on tightly and shake for several minutes. Store in a dark cupboard, shaking three times per day. Repeat until the herb loses colour, which could take up to one week. Strain plant material through a cloth, pouring the liquid into a bowl. 

 

Repeat the entire process several times using fresh herbs but the same distilled spirit. Place the jar in a dark cupboard and leave for a few days until separation begins to occur. Freeze the jar in an ice room, a frozen river, or in the ocean under the shade of cliffs in winter. The distilled spirit will not freeze, but the oil will solidify. 

 

Skim the solid oil from the top of the jar and place into a dark glass bottle. The dark glass will prevent sunlight from weakening the medicinal properties of the oil. Once the oil has fully melted, it is ready for use.

 

Medicinal Oils

Aqua Nymph	Scarring, when applied to the skin.
Dwarf’s Pumpkin*	Staving off fungal infections from inhaled spores, if oil is dropped in hot water and the resulting steam inhaled. Smells strongly of garlic.

 

Other Oils

Nightglow	Glows faintly, meaning it can be used for invisible ink that is only visible in the dark.
Paddfoot	May be treated with alchemy into an oil that, when applied to footwear, can muffle sound.

 

 

Poultices

Cut the herb into small pieces. Crush using a mortar and pestle, adding water until a paste is formed. If using dry herbs, add more water. Poultices are to be used fresh and are not suitable for storing for later use.

 

Medicinal Poultices

Aqua Nymph	Burns.
Blissfoil	Numbing and pain relief. This is an incredibly dangerous herb which can lead to permanent loss of feeling. Always handle with gloves when grinding into a paste.
Coltsfoot*	Gout. The leaves and flowers of this plant should be used, as the roots are toxic.
Frost Vine	Topical pain relief.
Mandragora	Aiding in the body’s natural regeneration, though when applied unnecessarily can lead to painful warts.
Tippen’s Root	Stemming blood flow on shallow, surface wounds. Smells strongly of rotten eggs.

 

Other Poultices

Faerie Truffles

General skin care.

 

 

Salves and Balms

Creating salves and balms requires oil; the method of extracting oil from herbs is described above. Melt infused oil with beeswax. Less beeswax will lead to a liquid consistency, which can be considered a salve. More beeswax will result in a solid consistency, which can be considered a balm. Salves and balms can be stored in containers for long periods of time, though they will eventually go rancid.

 

Many of the herbs which can be prepared into a poultice or paste can also be used in salves and balms. It is often worthwhile to combine herbs so that the salve or balm serves a dual purpose.

 

Medicinal Salves and Balms

Aquate Root*	Dry and chapped skin.
Aqua Nymph & Frost Vine	Healing burns with added pain relief.
Blissfoil & Tippen’s Root	Numbing and coagulation of wounds. This salve should never be applied with bare fingers and should be used sparingly.
Dwarf’s Pumpkin*	Fungal infections. Smells strongly of garlic.

 

Other Salves and Balms

Aquate Root* & Faerie Truffle

Moisturiser.

 

 

Tinctures

Fill a jar with the herb of choice. Half fill the jar with boiling water. Fill the other half with a clear, distilled spirit. Store the jar in a cool, dark space for one month, shaking daily. Strain the liquid through a fine cloth. Pour into dark glass bottles. The dark glass will prevent the sunlight from weakening the medicinal properties of the tincture. 

 

Most teas and tonics can be made into tinctures, although the taste is much stronger and more unpleasant.

 

Medicinal Tinctures

Shade Leaf*

Calming the body, particularly after a traumatic experience.

 

 

Teas and Tonics

Blot the leaves or flowers dry, then leave to dry fully in the shade. Steam the dried leaves or flowers, then allow the steamed leaves or flowers to fully dry in the sun. Store the dried tea in a wooden box in a cool, dry place.

 

To prepare the tea for use, place two spoonfuls of dried tea in a cloth and allow to steep in boiled water for five minutes. Remove the used tea leaves and discard.

 

To prepare a tonic, boil fresh herbs in water for one day, stirring occasionally. Tonics are not suitable to be stored for long periods of time; instead, a tincture should be made.

 

Medicinal Teas

Atheros*	Minor aches and pains. Has a bitter taste.
Bitter Reed	Coughs, colds, and nausea.
Coltsfoot*	Coughs, colds, flu, and fever. The leaves and flowers of this plant should be used, as the roots are toxic. Excessive consumption can lead to growths.
Javens	Insomnia.
Mandragora	Aiding in the body’s natural regeneration, though when consumed unnecessarily can lead to painful ulcers in the throat and stomach.
Shade Leaf*	Relieves minor stress.

 

Medicinal Tonics

Draugr Tongue*	When applied with a cloth, this can be used to soften the skin and make removing impaled objects easier. Exposure to open wounds stings terribly.
Gislocinovi	When boiled, this herb can be used to clean wounds. It is not to be taken orally.
King’s Ivy	Wakefulness.
Serpent’s Stalk	Reducing fever, though this herb should be used carefully as three measures will induce hypothermia.

 

 

Syrups and Saps

Create a tonic using the method described above. Add the tonic and honey to a pot. Swamp Blossom sap can also be used for a syrup with a thinner consistency. Stir constantly over a low heat until the mixture develops a thick, syrupy consistency. Allow to cool completely before bottling. Syrups are suitable for storage in a cool, dark place for up to half a year.

 

Medicinal Syrups (taken orally)

Coltsfoot*	Shortness of breath. The leaves and flowers of this plant should be used, as the roots are toxic. Excessive consumption can lead to growths.
Flash Fruit*	Numbing a sore throat.
Grobsnopper*	Fighting infection.
Nightsap	One measure will result in five hours of calmness and joy; two measures will result in dreamless sleep.

 

Medicinal Saps (applied topically)

Amberiddle	Sealing wounds.
Barrier Bush	Repelling moisture.

 

Spoiler

* denotes an open herb which does not require an ST-signed item. These cannot be found at nodes.