Herb Lore - Acai to Ash Tree

Herb 1: Acai

• Common Name: Acai (Acai Berry, Acai Palm)

• Latin Name: Euterpe oleraceae

• Medicinal Parts: Berries

• Habitat: Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne. Requires a hot, humid, tropical environment, fitting the conditions of the swampy bayou (cultivated/imported).

• Medical Use:

  • Primarily a nutritive tonic and antioxidant.

  • Traditionally used to treat diarrhea, fever, and liver disorders.

  • Modern use focuses on lowering oxidative stress and supporting heart health.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Juice/Pulp: Consumed as a food and tonic.

  • Capsules: Standardized extract.

Herb 2: Adder's Tongue

• Common Name: Adder's Tongue (also known as Serpent's Tongue)

• Latin Name: Ophioglossum vulgatum

• Medicinal Parts: Leaves (Fronds)

• Habitat: Big Valley, West Elizabeth. Found in moist meadows and lush, temperate environments.

• Medical Use:

  • Heals internal and external wounds.

  • Stops vomiting and controls various types of bleeding.

  • Clears sore eyes.

  • Historically, prepared as "green oil of charity" to treat ulcers and burns.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Juice: Can be consumed with distilled water or applied directly to the affected area.

  • Oil/Balsam: Leaves are infused or boiled in oil.

Herb 3: Agave

• Common Name: Agave (Century Plant, Maguey)

• Latin Name: Agave americana

• Medicinal Parts: Leaf, Juice (Sap), Roots

• Habitat: Cholla Springs, New Austin. Native to arid and subtropical regions, thriving in dry, rocky, exposed land.

• Medical Use:

  • Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.

  • Sap traditionally used to seal wounds and prevent infection.

  • Modern use focuses on prebiotic effects (inulin) and hypoglycemic properties.

  • Root decoction historically used for liver issues and jaundice.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Poultice: Sap applied topically to wounds and skin infections.

  • Decoction: Roots boiled.

  • Nectar/Syrup: Processed inner liquid (high in fructose).

Herb 4: Agrimony

• Common Name: Agrimony (also known as Church Steeples)

• Latin Name: Agrimonia eupatoria

• Medicinal Parts: Entire Herb (Leaves, Flowers, Stalks)

• Habitat: The Great Plains, West Elizabeth. Prefers open fields, roadsides, and meadow edges.

• Medical Use:

  • Effective remedy for liver and spleen ailments.

  • Cleanses the body of "inward wounds" and poisons.

  • Acts as an astringent, useful for stopping fluxes.

  • Treats snake bites when applied externally.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Tea/Decoction: Boiled in water or wine for consumption.

  • Tincture: Infused in spirits.

  • Poultice: Fresh, bruised herb applied externally.

Herb 5: Alfalfa

• Common Name: Alfalfa (Lucerne, Buffalo Herb)

• Latin Name: Medicago sativa

• Medicinal Parts: Flowering Plant, Leaves, Sprouts)

• Habitat: The Heartlands, New Hanover. Widely cultivated in fields and prairies for livestock, thriving in rich agricultural soil.

• Medical Use:

  • Nutritive Tonic (high in Vitamin K, iron, calcium).

  • Estrogenic properties traditionally used for PMS and menopausal symptoms.

  • Diuretic and alterative (blood purifier).

  • Used to help lower cholesterol (hypocholesterolemic).

• Preparation Methods:

  • Infusion/Tea: Leaves and flowers steeped.

  • Sprouts: Eaten as food (nutritional tonic).

  • Poultice: Seeds traditionally used for boils.

Herb 6: Alder

• Common Name: Alder (Common Alder)

• Latin Name: Alnus glutinosa

• Medicinal Parts: Bark, Leaves, New Shoots

• Habitat: Grizzlies East, Ambarino. Prefers wet ground near streams and rivers, thriving even in cold conditions.

• Medical Use:

  • Astringent and hemostatic, used to staunch bleeding (hemorrhages and wounds).

  • Decoction of dried bark used as a gargle for sore throats and diarrhea.

  • Fresh leaves used to draw out inflammation and ease soreness from traveling.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Decoction: Leaves/bark boiled in vinegar to bathe inflammations.

  • Poultice: Bruised fresh leaves applied externally.

  • Tincture: Alcohol extract of dried bark.

Herb 7: Alder Buckthorn

• Common Name: Alder Buckthorn (also known as Black Alder)

• Latin Name: Rhamnus frangula

• Medicinal Parts: Bark, Berries

• Habitat: Bluewater Marsh, Lemoyne. Thrives in wet, boggy woodlands and thickets, fitting the humid, swampy environment.

• Medical Use:

  • Primarily a strong purgative (laxative), clearing the stomach and spleen.

  • Note: Bark must be dried for a year before use (fresh bark causes vomiting).

  • Dried outer bark stops fluxes and lasks (diarrhea).

• Preparation Methods:

  • Syrup: Bark boiled in water and mixed with honey/sugar.

  • Decoction: Dried bark boiled for purging.

Herb 8: Alexanders

• Common Name: Alexanders (also known as Horse Parsley, Wild-Celery)

• Latin Name: Smyrnium olusatrum

• Medicinal Parts: Roots, Seeds, Herb

• Habitat: Roanoke Ridge, New Hanover. Grows well near the coast and disturbed land, fitting the rugged, rocky strip near Annesburg.

• Medical Use:

  • Warms a cold stomach and opens obstructions of the liver and spleen.

  • Helps with shortness of breath and flatulence.

  • Provokes urine and menstruation.

  • Effectual against the biting of serpents.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Decoction: Root/seeds boiled in wine.

  • Eaten: Roots/leaves boiled in broth as a food.

Herb 9: Alkanet

• Common Name: Alkanet (also known as Orchanet, Spanish Bugloss)

• Latin Name: Alkanna tinctoria or Anchusa officinalis

• Medicinal Parts: Root, Leaves

• Habitat: Gaptooth Ridge, New Austin. Prefers dry, sandy, or rocky ground in full sun, making it ideal for this desert climate.

• Medical Use:

  • Strengthens the back and helps with internal and external bruising.

  • Treats jaundice and is cooling for inflamed skin and burns.

  • Prevents miscarriage.

  • Stays flux of the belly and kills worms.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Decoction: Root boiled in wine/water.

  • Ointment/Oil: Leaves/root steeped in oil/lard for topical use.

Herb 10: Aloe Vera

• Common Name: Aloe Vera (Sabila, Barbados Aloe)

• Latin Name: Aloe vera

• Medicinal Parts: Inner Leaf Gel, Leaf Latex (outer pulp)

• Habitat: Río Bravo, New Austin. Perennial succulent thriving in hot, dry, sunny climates.

• Medical Use:

  • Inner Gel: Emollient and vulnerary (wound healing). Highly effective for minor burns (sunburn, radiation), cuts, and inflammation. Soothes gastritis and stomach ulcers.

  • Leaf Latex: Powerful stimulant laxative (purgative) for constipation.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Raw Gel: Applied directly to the skin.

  • Juice: Inner gel for drinking.

  • Capsules (Latex): Used for laxative effect (use with extreme caution).

Herb 11: Amaranth

• Common Name: Amaranth (also known as Flower-Gentle, Velvet Flower)

• Latin Name: Amaranthus caudatus

• Medicinal Parts: Flowers, Leaves, Seeds

• Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Common in cultivated and waste ground near settled, semi-arid areas.

• Medical Use:

  • A powerful astringent used to stop all "fluxes" (diarrhea, heavy menses).

  • Stops internal and external bleeding.

  • Treats sore mouths and ulcers.

  • Highly nutritive (seeds are rich in protein and iron).

• Preparation Methods:

  • Powder: Dried flowers mixed with honey.

  • Decoction: Leaves boiled in wine.

  • Food: Seeds cooked as a grain; leaves as potherb.

Herb 12: Angelica

• Common Name: Angelica (also known as Garden Angelica)

• Latin Name: Angelica archangelica

• Medicinal Parts: Root, Stalks, Seeds, Leaves

• Habitat: Grizzlies West, Ambarino. A strong, hardy plant that can grow in cold, high altitudes and damp meadows.

• Medical Use:

  • Primary defense against poison, venom, and the plague.

  • Warms the body, moves wind, cures colic, and strengthens the heart.

  • Helps with coughs, short breath, and pleurisy.

  • Note: Poisonous lookalikes exist; identify with caution.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Decoction/Tea: Root boiled in wine/water.

  • Conserve: Candied stalks.

  • Powder: Root mixed with treacle (for plague).

Herb 13: Arrowroot

• Common Name: Arrowroot (Maranta, Bermuda Arrowroot)

• Latin Name: Maranta arundinaceae

• Medicinal Parts: Rhizome (Tuber)

• Habitat: Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne. Requires a warm, humid, tropical environment; likely cultivated in the hot, damp region.

• Medical Use:

  • Demulcent (soothing) and nutritive. Used to soothe the digestive system.

  • Helps firm stool, making it useful for easing diarrhea.

  • Poultice traditionally used to speed the healing of wounds, ulcers, and rashes.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Flour/Powder: Used as a thickening agent and added to broths.

  • Poultice: Pounded rhizome applied externally.

Herb 14: Artichokes

• Common Name: Artichokes (also known as Cardoon/Globe Artichoke)

• Latin Name: Cynara cardunculus

• Medicinal Parts: Flower Head, Root

• Habitat: Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. Requires rich, fertile soil and a mild climate, consistent with agricultural land.

• Medical Use:

  • Distilled water helps with bad breath and strengthens the heart.

  • Root is a diuretic, used to provoke urine.

  • Modern Use: Leaves/extracts used to increase bile flow and lower cholesterol.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Eaten: Cooked flower heads.

  • Distilled Water: Leaves/heads pressed.

Herb 15: Asarabacca

• Common Name: Asarabacca

• Latin Name: Asarum europaeum

• Medicinal Parts: Leaves and Root

• Habitat: Tall trees in West Elizabeth, preferring shaded, damp, cool woodlands beneath the forest canopy.

• Medical Uses:

  • Acts as a strong emetic and purgative, helping to expel phlegm from the head.

  • Clears blockages in the liver and lungs; used in treating jaundice.

  • Note: It is toxic and not recommended for internal use in modern medicine.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Powder: Dried root ground into powder and snuffed to induce head purge.

  • Decoction: Boiled and consumed as a purge, but use with extreme caution.

Herb 16: Ash Tree

• Common Name: Ash Tree (also called Ash Key)

• Latin Name: Fraxinus excelsior

• Medicinal Parts: Bark, Leaves, Seeds (Keys)

• Habitat: Tall Trees in West Elizabeth; thrives in moist forests and valleys.

• Medical Use:

  • - Prescribed for fevers and dropsy (edema).

  • - Leaves and seeds help expel worms.

  • Decoctions are used against snake bites and to promote spleen health.

• Preparation Methods:

  • Decoction: Boil bark or leaves in water or wine.