Herb Lore - Gillyflowers to Horse-Mint
Herb 127: Gillyflowers
Common Name: Gillyflowers (also known as Clove Pink, Carnation)
Latin Name: Dianthus caryophyllus
Medicinal Parts: Flowers
Habitat: Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. Cultivated in gardens for their scent and appearance.
Medical Use:
Highly comforting to the heart and nervous system.
Used to treat fevers and nervous palpitations.
The scent is said to relieve headache.
Preparation Methods:
Conserve/Syrup: Flowers preserved with sugar or honey.
Distilled Water: Flowers pressed.
Herb 128: Ginger
Common Name: Ginger (also known as Zingiber)
Latin Name: Zingiber officinale
Medicinal Parts: Root (Rhizome)
Habitat: Imported spice, sold in Saint Denis. Tropical plant.
Medical Use:
Highly warming and carminative. Stops vomiting and relieves nausea and sea sickness.
Aids digestion and warms a cold stomach.
Used for colds, chills, and to move wind.
Preparation Methods:
Tea/Infusion: Fresh or dried root steeped in hot water.
Conserve: Candied root.
Herb 129: Glasswort
Common Name: Glasswort (also known as Marsh Samphire)
Latin Name: Salicornia europaea
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb
Habitat: Along the saltwater coastlines of New Hanover and Lemoyne (tidal flats).
Medical Use:
Diuretic and blood cleanser. Used to clear obstructions of the spleen.
Historically used for scurvy.
Eaten as a nutritive tonic (high in minerals).
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Stems cooked (pickled or boiled).
Herb 135: Grape Vine
Common Name: Grape Vine (also known as Vitis)
Latin Name: Vitis vinifera
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Sap, Fruit (Grapes)
Habitat: Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. Cultivated in vineyards and mild, sunny areas.
Medical Use:
The sap is used for eye ointments and to clear scabs.
Leaves are astringent and stop bloody flux.
Grapes are nutritive and cleansing, aiding the kidneys.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Fruit consumed raw or processed (wine).
Wash: Sap collected and applied.
Herb 136: Ground Pine
Common Name: Ground Pine (also known as Chamæpitys)
Latin Name: Ajuga chamaepitys
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Prefers dry, open, sandy or chalky ground.
Medical Use:
Highly warming and diuretic. Used for gout, rheumatism, and joint stiffness.
Used to provoke delayed menstruation.
Clears obstructions of the liver and spleen.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Herb boiled in wine and consumed.
Ointment: Herb steeped in oil for external application.
Herb 137: Groundsel
Common Name: Groundsel (also known as Simson)
Latin Name: Senecio vulgaris
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb, Juice
Habitat: Universal across all regions, favoring cultivated and waste ground.
Medical Use:
Highly cooling and moderately purgative.
Used to clear the stomach, stop vomiting, and induce sweating to break fevers.
Applied externally to heal ulcers and draw out inflammation.
Preparation Methods:
Juice: Pressed from the fresh herb.
Decoction: Herb boiled (use cautiously).
Herb 138: Groundsel Tree
Common Name: Groundsel Tree (also known as Sea Myrtil, Silverling)
Latin Name: Baccharis halimifolia
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Bark
Habitat: Along the coastlines and salt marshes of Lemoyne (Bluewater Marsh, Saint Denis coast).
Medical Use:
Traditionally used to treat fevers (as a substitute for Cinchona bark).
Used as a gargle for sore throats.
A poultice of the leaves is used for skin inflammation and itchy rashes.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Bark or leaves boiled.
Poultice: Bruised fresh leaves applied externally.
Herb 139: Hawthorn
Common Name: Hawthorn (also known as May-Tree, Quickset)
Latin Name: Crataegus monogyna (and related species)
Medicinal Parts: Berries (Haws), Flowers, Leaves
Habitat: Almost all regions, found in hedgerows, thickets, and open woodlands.
Medical Use:
Specific remedy for the heart and circulatory system. Used to strengthen the heart muscle and regulate blood pressure.
Flowers and berries are a cardiac tonic and mild diuretic.
Used to treat insomnia and nervous tension.
Preparation Methods:
Tincture: Flowers/leaves/berries infused in alcohol.
Infusion: Flowers and leaves steeped.
Conserve: Berries preserved in syrup.
Herb 140: Hazel
Common Name: Hazel (also known as Filbert Nut Tree)
Latin Name: Corylus avellana (and related species)
Medicinal Parts: Nuts, Bark, Leaves
Habitat: Almost all regions, found in woodlands, hedgerows, and copses.
Medical Use:
Nutritive tonic (nuts).
Used to stop bleeding from wounds and nosebleeds (astringent properties).
The sap is traditionally used for eye washes.
Decoction of the leaves/bark is used for fevers.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Nuts consumed.
Decoction: Bark or leaves boiled.
Wash: Sap applied externally.
Herb 141: Heart's-Ease
Common Name: Heart's-Ease (also known as Wild Pansy, Trinity Flower)
Latin Name: Viola tricolor
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb
Habitat: Big Valley, West Elizabeth. Found on open heaths, roadsides, and cultivated land.
Medical Use:
Used to soothe the heart and nervous system (relieving nervous tension and anxiety).
Specific remedy for skin conditions like eczema and scrofula (blood purifier).
Used for coughs and short breath.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion: Herb steeped in water.
Juice: Pressed and mixed with water.
Herb 142: Hedge Hyssop
Common Name: Hedge Hyssop (also known as Gratiola)
Latin Name: Gratiola officinalis
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb (use with extreme caution)
Habitat: Bluewater Marsh, Lemoyne. Found in wet meadows and marshy ground.
Medical Use:
A strong purgative and emetic (causes vomiting). Used to clear the head and body of "phlegm and melancholy."
Used for dropsy (edema).
Note: Highly toxic and dangerous. Use should be avoided.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Herb boiled (only with extreme caution).
Herb 143: Hellebore (White)
Common Name: Hellebore (White) (also known as Veratrum album)
Latin Name: Veratrum album
Medicinal Parts: Root (use with extreme caution)
Habitat: Grizzlies West, Ambarino. Found in damp, high-altitude meadows and woodlands.
Medical Use:
A violent emetic and purgative. Historically used for melancholy and neurological disorders.
Used externally to kill lice and fleas.
Note: Extremely poisonous and highly dangerous internally.
Preparation Methods:
Powder: Root dried and applied externally to kill vermin.
Herb 144: Hemlock
Common Name: Hemlock (also known as Poison Hemlock, Conium)
Latin Name: Conium maculatum
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Seeds (use with extreme caution)
Habitat: Almost all regions, found in hedgerows, waste ground, and damp spots.
Medical Use:
Powerful analgesic and sedative (relieves severe pain and calms the nerves).
Used externally to treat tumors, breast cancer, and chronic ulcers.
Note: Extremely poisonous; internal use causes paralysis and death.
Preparation Methods:
Poultice: Herb bruised and applied externally to tumors.
Tincture: Prepared for external use only.
Herb 145: Hemp
Common Name: Hemp (also known as Cannabis, Dope)
Latin Name: Cannabis sativa
Medicinal Parts: Seeds, Leaves, Flowers
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Thrives in warm, open fields and cultivated areas.
Medical Use:
Seeds are nutritive and used to ease coughs and consumption.
Decoction of the root used to relieve gout and joint pain.
Leaves/flowers used as a sedative and analgesic for pain, anxiety, and insomnia.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Root boiled.
Oil/Extract: Flowers infused in oil or spirits.
Herb 146: Henbane
Common Name: Henbane (also known as Insane Root, Stinking Nightshade)
Latin Name: Hyoscyamus niger
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Seeds (use with extreme caution)
Habitat: Almost all regions, found on disturbed ground, roadsides, and waste areas.
Medical Use:
Powerful sedative and antispasmodic. Used for insomnia, severe nervous pain, and muscle cramps.
Oil infused with the seeds used externally to relieve toothache and gout pain.
Note: Extremely poisonous. Causes delirium and madness.
Preparation Methods:
Oil: Seeds infused in oil (for external use only).
Tincture: Highly controlled internal use for severe pain.
Herb 147: Horehound (White)
Common Name: Horehound (White) (also known as Marrubium)
Latin Name: Marrubium vulgare
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Flowering Tops
Habitat: Gaptooth Ridge, New Austin. Prefers dry, waste ground and sunny locations.
Medical Use:
Excellent expectorant (clears phlegm) for all coughs, colds, and respiratory ailments.
Used to provoke menstruation and treat spleen disorders.
Acts as a bitter tonic to strengthen the stomach.
Preparation Methods:
Syrup/Conserve: Herb boiled with honey or sugar.
Infusion: Herb steeped in water.
Herb 148: Hyssop
Common Name: Hyssop (also known as Isop)
Latin Name: Hyssopus officinalis
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Flowers
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Cultivated in dry, sunny, open gardens.
Medical Use:
Powerful expectorant used for chronic coughs, asthma, and shortness of breath.
Used to kill worms (vermifuge) and relieve colic.
Acts as a cleansing wash for wounds and bruises.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion: Flowers and leaves steeped.
Decoction: Herb boiled in water or wine.
Herb 149: Horehound (Black)
Common Name: Horehound (Black) (also known as Ballota nigra)
Latin Name: Ballota nigra
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Flowering Tops
Habitat: The Heartlands, New Hanover. Found in hedgerows, waste ground, and calcareous soil.
Medical Use:
Used as a nervine sedative to treat insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness associated with nervous disorders.
Used to calm nausea and vomiting (anti-emetic).
Historically used for coughs.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion/Tea: Herb steeped in water.
Herb 150: Horse-Mint
Common Name: Horse-Mint (also called Wild Mint or Bergamot Mint)
Latin Name: Mentha longifolia (including related native species)
Parts Used: Leaves and Flowering Tops
Habitat: Big Valley, West Elizabeth. Typically found in damp meadows, along stream banks, and in ditches.
Medical Uses:
Highly warming and carminative, it helps break up wind, alleviating colic and flatulence.
It can stop vomiting and support digestion.
Used to clear congestion and promote sweating (diaphoretic) during colds.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion/Tea: Leaves steeped in hot water.
Oil: Leaves pressed to extract essential oil.