Herb Lore - Common Elder to Ground Ivy
Herb 108: Elder (Common)
Common Name: Elder (Common) (also known as Bore Tree, Sambucus)
Latin Name: Sambucus nigra
Medicinal Parts: Flowers, Berries, Inner Bark
Habitat: Almost all regions, favoring hedgerows, clearings, and disturbed ground.
Medical Use:
Flowers are an excellent diaphoretic (induce sweating) for breaking fevers and colds.
Berries are a powerful nutritive tonic and used for flu and colds.
Inner bark is a strong purgative.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion/Tea: Flowers steeped.
Syrup: Berries pressed with sugar.
Ointment: Leaves boiled for burns/wounds.
Herb 109: Elecampane
Common Name: Elecampane (also known as Horse-Heal, Scabwort)
Latin Name: Inula helenium
Medicinal Parts: Root
Habitat: Big Valley, West Elizabeth. Found in moist meadows, roadsides, and open woods.
Medical Use:
Excellent for all lung disorders, especially chronic coughs, asthma, and consumption (tuberculosis).
Cleanses the body of venom and treats snake bites.
Root is a strong warming tonic that strengthens the stomach.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Root boiled in wine or water.
Conserve: Root preserved with honey or sugar.
Herb 110: Endive
Common Name: Endive (also known as Garden Endive, Escarole)
Latin Name: Cichorium endivia
Medicinal Parts: Leaves
Habitat: Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. Cultivated in gardens, preferring mild, temperate climates.
Medical Use:
Highly cooling and diuretic. Used to cool the heat of the liver and blood.
Clears obstructions and treats jaundice.
Helps to soothe the stomach and stops internal fevers.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Leaves consumed raw (salad).
Juice: Pressed and mixed with water.
Herb 111: Eyebright
Common Name: Eyebright (also known as Euphrasia)
Latin Name: Euphrasia officinalis
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb
Habitat: Grizzlies East, Ambarino. Found in dry grasslands, heathlands, and mountainous pastures.
Medical Use:
Specific remedy for all eye ailments (soreness, weakness, redness, discharge).
Clears headaches and strengthens the memory.
Used to combat catarrh (inflammation of mucous membranes) and colds.
Preparation Methods:
Wash: Herb steeped in water (used as an eyewash).
Infusion: Herb steeped and drunk.
Herb 112: Fennel
Common Name: Fennel (also known as Anise Seed, Foeniculum)
Latin Name: Foeniculum vulgare
Medicinal Parts: Seeds, Root, Leaves
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Prefers dry, open, chalky ground; often cultivated.
Medical Use:
Powerful carminative (moves wind). Used to relieve colic and flatulence.
Clears eye disorders and strengthens sight.
Used to aid milk flow (lactagogue) and is a strong diuretic.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion: Seeds steeped in water (colic remedy).
Eaten: Root/leaves consumed raw or cooked.
Herb 113: Fenugreek
Common Name: Fenugreek (also known as Greek Hay)
Latin Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum
Medicinal Parts: Seeds
Habitat: Imported or cultivated in hot, dry regions like New Austin.
Medical Use:
Demulcent (soothing) and expectorant. Used for coughs, sore throats, and lung consumption.
Poultice of the seeds used to draw out boils, swellings, and hardened tumors.
Aids in milk production (lactagogue).
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Seeds boiled in water.
Poultice: Seeds powdered and mixed with water.
Herb 114: Feverfew
Common Name: Feverfew (also known as Febrifuge, Wild Camomile)
Latin Name: Tanacetum parthenium
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb, Flowers
Habitat: The Heartlands, New Hanover. Found on walls, roadsides, and waste ground.
Medical Use:
Specific remedy for headaches and migraines.
Clears obstruction of the womb; used to provoke menstruation and help in childbirth.
Breaks fevers and cools the heat of the body.
Preparation Methods:
Chewed: Fresh leaves chewed (for headache).
Infusion: Herb steeped in water.
Herb 115: Fig
Common Name: Fig (also known as Ficus)
Latin Name: Ficus carica
Medicinal Parts: Fruit, Leaves
Habitat: Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. Requires a mild, warm climate; typically cultivated.
Medical Use:
Fruit is an excellent mild laxative for constipation.
Used to clear coughs and throat soreness.
Poultice of the fruit used to ripen and draw out boils and swellings.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Fruit consumed raw or dried.
Poultice: Fruit boiled and mashed.
Herb 116: Figwort
Common Name: Figwort (also known as Scrophularia)
Latin Name: Scrophularia nodosa
Medicinal Parts: Root, Herb
Habitat: Tall Trees, West Elizabeth. Prefers moist, shaded woods and hedgerows.
Medical Use:
Specific for external swellings, piles (hemorrhoids), and tumors.
Clears scrofula (swollen glands) and chronic skin diseases.
Used as a wash for sore eyes.
Preparation Methods:
Ointment: Herb/root boiled in lard for topical use.
Decoction: Herb boiled and consumed (internal use requires caution).
Herb 117: Flax
Also known as: Linseed, Linum
Latin Name: Linum usitatissimum
Used for: Seeds (Linseed) and Oil
Found in: The Heartlands, New Hanover. Cultivated for fiber and oil.
Medicinal Uses:
Seeds (mucilage) are highly demulcent and soothing for internal inflammation (coughs, sore throats, ulcers).
Oil acts as a gentle laxative.
A poultice made from the meal soothes inflamed skin and burns.
Preparation:
Mucilage: Seeds soaked in water (for internal use).
Poultice: Seed meal mixed with hot water.
Oil: Seeds are pressed (Linseed Oil).
Herb 118: Fleabane
Also known as: Pulicaria
Latin Name: Pulicaria dysenterica (and related species)
Used for: Leaves, Whole Herb
Found in: Bluewater Marsh, Lemoyne. Grows in damp ground, ditches, and marshy meadows.
Medicinal Uses:
Astringent and antiseptic. Used to stop bloody flux and dysentery.
The burned herb creates smoke that repels fleas and other insects.
Applied externally to clear scabs and itchiness.
Preparation:
Decoction: Herb boiled in water.
Smoke: Dried herb burned.
Herb 119: Foxglove
Also known as: Digitalis, Lady's Glove
Latin Name: Digitalis purpurea
Used for: Leaves (use with extreme caution)
Found in: Cumberland Forest, New Hanover. Grows on rocky, steep slopes and open woodland clearings.
Medicinal Uses:
A powerful diuretic; historically used to treat dropsy (edema) and heart failure.
Important Note: Contains potent cardiac glycosides and is highly poisonous. Only to be used under strict professional control (Digitalis).
Preparation:
Tincture: Prepared by skilled apothecaries only.
Herb 120: Fumitory
Also known as: Earth Smoke
Latin Name: Fumaria officinalis
Used for: Whole Herb, Juice
Found in: Almost all regions, in cultivated fields and waste ground.
Medicinal Uses:
Specific for cleansing the blood and liver; treats jaundice and chronic skin conditions.
Mildly purgative and acts as a liver tonic.
Used to stop vomiting and soothe the stomach.
Preparation:
Juice: Pressed from the fresh herb.
Infusion: Herb steeped in water.
Herb 121: Galbanum
Common Name: Galbanum (also known as Ferula gummosa)
Latin Name: Ferula galbaniflua
Medicinal Parts: Gum/Resin (Imported)
Habitat: Imported from arid regions, likely sold by apothecaries in Saint Denis or New Austin.
Medical Use:
Highly warming and resolvent (disperses tumors/swelling).
Used to clear coughs and congestion (expectorant).
Applied externally to draw out splinters and relieve gout/rheumatism.
Preparation Methods:
Tincture: Resin dissolved in spirits.
Poultice: Resin warmed and applied externally.
Herb 122: Garlic
Common Name: Garlic (also known as Allium sativum)
Latin Name: Allium sativum
Medicinal Parts: Bulb (Clove)
Habitat: Cultivated universally in gardens.
Medical Use:
Universal antiseptic and stimulant. Used to guard against plague and venom.
Clears coughs, asthma, and all respiratory phlegm.
Expels worms (vermifuge) and is a strong diuretic.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Raw or cooked.
Syrup: Chopped bulb mixed with honey.
Poultice: Bruised clove applied to bites.
Herb 123: Garlic Mustard
Common Name: Garlic Mustard (also known as Sauce-Alone)
Latin Name: Alliaria petiolata
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Seeds
Habitat: Almost all regions, found in shady banks, hedgerows, and light woods.
Medical Use:
Warming and diuretic. Used to provoke urine and expel wind.
Leaves bruised and applied to the soles of the feet help with cold feet.
Eaten as a nutritive tonic in the spring.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Leaves consumed raw or cooked.
Poultice: Leaves bruised and applied.
Herb 124: Gentian
Common Name: Gentian (also known as Felwort)
Latin Name: Gentiana lutea
Medicinal Parts: Root
Habitat: Grizzlies West, Ambarino. Grows in high-altitude meadows and rocky slopes.
Medical Use:
The most famous bitter tonic in the world. Strengthens the stomach and aids poor digestion (dyspepsia).
Used to treat fevers and is a powerful antiseptic.
Acts as a general warming tonic.
Preparation Methods:
Tincture: Root infused in spirits (bitters).
Decoction: Root boiled in water.
Herb 125: Germander
Common Name: Germander (also known as Tree Germander)
Latin Name: Teucrium chamaedrys
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Flowering Tops
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Prefers dry, open, calcareous (chalky) soil.
Medical Use:
Used to clear spleen obstructions and treat jaundice.
Helps with gout and chronic joint pain (rheumatism).
Acts as a diuretic and clears the blood of excess heat.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Herb boiled in wine.
Powder: Dried herb consumed.
Herb 126: Ground Ivy
Common Name: Gill-over-the-Ground (also known as Ground Ivy, Alehoof)
Latin Name: Glechoma hederacea
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb
Habitat: Almost all regions, found in shaded, damp areas, hedgerows, and roadsides.
Medical Use:
Specific remedy for eye inflammation and eye issues (juiced and applied).
Used for coughs, consumption, and ringing in the ears.
Cleanses the kidneys and cures ulcers.
Preparation Methods:
Juice: Pressed and mixed with honey.
Infusion: Herb steeped in water or ale.