Herb Lore - Page 12
Herb 223: Quince
Common Name: Quince (also known as Cydonia)
Latin Name: Cydonia oblonga
Medicinal Parts: Fruit, Seeds
Habitat: Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. Cultivated in warm, mild orchards.
Medical Use:
Fruit is nutritive and strengthens the stomach.
Seeds steeped in water create a mucilage used to soothe sore throats and intestinal inflammation.
Used to stop vomiting and fluxes (diarrhea).
Preparation Methods:
Conserve/Jelly: Fruit cooked and preserved.
Mucilage: Seeds soaked in cold water.
Herb 224: Radish
Common Name: Radish (also known as Raphanus)
Latin Name: Raphanus sativus
Medicinal Parts: Root, Seeds, Leaves
Habitat: The Heartlands, New Hanover. Widely cultivated in gardens.
Medical Use:
Strong diuretic and warming stimulant. Used to break and expel kidney stones.
Seed decoction used for coughs and throat soreness.
Used to provoke delayed menstruation.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Root consumed raw.
Juice: Root grated and pressed.
Herb 225: Ragwort
Common Name: Ragwort (also known as Staggerwort, Senecio)
Latin Name: Senecio jacobaea
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Flowers, Root (use with extreme caution)
Habitat: Big Valley, West Elizabeth. Common in open pasture, fields, and waste ground.
Medical Use:
Used externally in poultice or oil to relieve sciatica, gout, and rheumatic pain.
Historically used for throat and gland issues.
Note: Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids; highly toxic to the liver (internal use is avoided).
Preparation Methods:
Ointment/Oil: Herb infused in oil for external application.
Poultice: Bruised leaves applied externally.
Herb 226: Rattle Grass
Common Name: Rattle Grass (also known as Rhinanthus)
Latin Name: Rhinanthus minor
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb
Habitat: Grizzlies East, Ambarino. Found in meadows and grassy areas.
Medical Use:
Used to clear eye issues and strengthen sight.
Historically used as a mild astringent for stopping fluxes.
Used to clear jaundice and other obstructions.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion: Herb steeped in water (used as an eyewash).
Herb 227: Red Clover
Common Name: Red Clover (also known as Trefoil, Trifolium)
Latin Name: Trifolium pratense
Medicinal Parts: Flowers (Heads)
Habitat: Almost all regions, found in fields and open meadows.
Medical Use:
Blood purifier (alterative). Used to treat skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis) and clear the body of toxins.
Used as an expectorant for persistent coughs and bronchitis.
Used as a mild nutritive tonic.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion/Tea: Flowers steeped in hot water.
Syrup: Flowers pressed and mixed with sugar (cough remedy).
Herb 228: Restharrow
Common Name: Restharrow (also known as Ononis)
Latin Name: Ononis spinosa
Medicinal Parts: Root, Leaves
Habitat: Gaptooth Ridge, New Austin. Found on dry, poor, grassy ground and roadsides.
Medical Use:
Powerful diuretic. Specific for breaking up and expelling kidney and bladder stones.
Used to relieve the pain of gout and joint stiffness.
Root decoction used for toothache.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Root boiled in water or wine.
Herb 229: Rhubarb
Common Name: Rhubarb (also known as Rheum)
Latin Name: Rheum officinale (or similar medicinal species)
Medicinal Parts: Root (Rhizome)
Habitat: Imported or cultivated in cool, moist soil (likely Grizzlies or Big Valley).
Medical Use:
Root is a dual-action medicine: a large dose is a potent purgative (laxative), and a small dose is astringent (stops diarrhea).
Used to cleanse the liver and clear obstructions.
Used to treat jaundice and chronic constipation.
Preparation Methods:
Powder: Dried root powdered and consumed (dosage dependent).
Tincture: Root infused in spirits.
Herb 230: Rocket, Arugula
Common Name: Rocket, Arugula (also known as Eruca sativa)
Latin Name: Eruca vesicaria
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Seeds
Habitat: Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. Cultivated in gardens and fields.
Medical Use:
Used to strengthen the stomach and aid digestion.
Leaves are eaten to relieve the symptoms of scurvy.
Used to provoke delayed menstruation and is considered a mild stimulant.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Leaves consumed raw (salad).
Oil: Seeds pressed for oil (similar to rape oil).
Herb 231: Rose
Common Name: Rose (also known as Rosa, Provence Rose)
Latin Name: Rosa centifolia (or related cultivated species)
Medicinal Parts: Flowers (Petals), Hips (Fruit)
Habitat: Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. Cultivated in gardens for beauty and medicinal use.
Medical Use:
Petals are highly cooling and astringent. Used to stop diarrhea and soothe inflammation.
Rose water is used to cool the eyes, temples, and face in fevers and headaches.
Hips are highly nutritive (Vitamin C) and prevent scurvy.
Preparation Methods:
Conserve/Syrup: Petals preserved with sugar.
Distilled Water: Petals pressed (Rose Water).
Infusion: Hips steeped.
Herb 232: Rosemary
Common Name: Rosemary (also known as Rosmarinus)
Latin Name: Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis)
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Flowering Tops, Oil
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Prefers dry, open, sunny, and chalky soil.
Medical Use:
Excellent for strengthening the memory and brain. Used for nervous headaches and melancholy.
Highly warming and stimulant. Used to relieve colic and provoke delayed menstruation.
Oil used externally to relieve rheumatic pain and paralysis.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion: Leaves steeped in water or wine.
Oil: Leaves distilled or infused in oil (for external rub).
Herb 233: Royal Fern
Common Name: Royal Fern (also known as Osmunda)
Latin Name: Osmunda regalis
Medicinal Parts: Root (Rhizome)
Habitat: Bluewater Marsh, Lemoyne. Found in very wet ground, swamps, and riverbanks.
Medical Use:
Used to soothe the spleen and relieve internal bruising.
Root is a strong demulcent and used to treat wounds and ulcers.
Used for healing fractures and dislocations (knitbone effect).
Preparation Methods:
Poultice: Root mashed and applied externally.
Decoction: Root boiled in water.
Herb 234: Rue
Common Name: Rue (also known as Herb-of-Grace)
Latin Name: Ruta graveolens
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Whole Herb (use with caution)
Habitat: Gaptooth Ridge, New Austin. Cultivated in gardens, preferring dry, sunny spots.
Medical Use:
Powerful defense against poison, venom, and the plague.
Used to provoke delayed menstruation (emmenagogue).
Used for nervous disorders, including epilepsy and convulsions.
Note: Can cause severe skin burns in sunlight (phototoxicity).
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Herb boiled in wine (used cautiously).
Poultice: Bruised leaves applied (external, avoid sun exposure).
Herb 235: Rupturewort
Common Name: Rupturewort (also known as Herniaria)
Latin Name: Herniaria glabra
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Found on dry, sandy, or stony ground.
Medical Use:
Specific remedy for ruptures (hernias), taken internally and applied externally as a wash.
Powerful diuretic, used to purge water and cleanse the urinary system.
Used to break and expel kidney stones.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Herb boiled in water.
Wash: Strong decoction used externally for the rupture area.
Herb 236: Rustyback, Scale Fern
Common Name: Rustyback, Scale Fern (also known as Ceterach)
Latin Name: Asplenium ceterach
Medicinal Parts: Leaves (Fronds)
Habitat: Roanoke Ridge, New Hanover. Grows on dry, rocky walls and limestone ledges.
Medical Use:
Used to clear obstructions of the liver and spleen.
Highly effective diuretic used to expel water (dropsy) and cleanse the kidneys.
Used for jaundice and spleen enlargement.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Leaves boiled in water or wine.
Herb 237: Rye
Common Name: Rye (also known as Secale)
Latin Name: Secale cereale
Medicinal Parts: Grain (Seeds)
Habitat: The Heartlands, New Hanover. Cultivated grain crop.
Medical Use:
Nutritive tonic and staple food.
Used as a demulcent to soothe internal inflammation.
Note: Fungus on the grain (Claviceps purpurea) creates Ergot, which is used to speed childbirth and staunch bleeding (highly poisonous).
Preparation Methods:
Food: Grain ground into flour.
Poultice: Rye meal mixed with water to draw out heat/inflammation.
Herb 238: Saffron
Common Name: Saffron (also known as Crocus)
Latin Name: Crocus sativus
Medicinal Parts: Stigmas (Threads)
Habitat: Imported or cultivated in dry, sunny, specific regions (e.g., New Austin).
Medical Use:
Specific remedy for nervous palpitations and to strengthen the heart.
Warming stimulant that lifts the spirits and relieves melancholy.
Used to provoke delayed menstruation and bring on sleep.
Note: Highly prized but easily adulterated.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion: Threads steeped in water or wine.
Powder: Threads dried and powdered.
Herb 239: Sage
Common Name: Sage (also known as Salvia, Garden Sage)
Latin Name: Salvia officinalis
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Flowering Tops
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Cultivated in dry, sunny gardens.
Medical Use:
Highly esteemed for strengthening the memory and comforting the nerves and brain.
Used as an astringent gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers.
Used to staunch bleeding and stop fluxes (diarrhea).
Used to stop excessive sweating.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion/Tea: Leaves steeped in water.
Gargle: Decoction of leaves mixed with honey/vinegar.