Herb Lore - Page 13
Herb 240: Sagebrush
Common Name: Sagebrush (also known as Artemisia tridentata)
Latin Name: Artemisia tridentata (or related native species)
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Flowering Tops
Habitat: Cholla Springs, New Austin. Found ubiquitously across arid, rocky, high-desert plains.
Medical Use:
Warming antiseptic. Used as a tonic for colds, coughs, and fevers (diaphoretic).
Used internally for stomach upset and to expel worms.
Used externally as a wash for wounds and infections.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion: Leaves steeped in water.
Wash: Strong decoction used externally.
Herb 241: St.-John's-Wort
Common Name: St.-John's-Wort (also known as Hypericum, Tutsan)
Latin Name: Hypericum perforatum
Medicinal Parts: Flowering Tops, Oil
Habitat: Big Valley, West Elizabeth. Found on dry banks, roadsides, and open meadows.
Medical Use:
Specific for nerve damage, pain, and melancholy (nervine tonic).
Oil (red color) is used externally to heal wounds, bruises, and nerve pain (sciatica, neuralgia).
Used internally to staunch bleeding and relieve congestion.
Preparation Methods:
Oil: Flowers infused in olive oil (placed in sun).
Tincture: Flowers infused in spirits.
Herb 242: Samphire
Common Name: Samphire (also known as Sea Fennel, Crithmum)
Latin Name: Crithmum maritimum
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Stems
Habitat: Along the saltwater coastlines of New Hanover and Lemoyne.
Medical Use:
Highly valued for scurvy (rich in Vitamin C) and as a diuretic.
Used to open obstructions of the liver and spleen.
Used to aid digestion and break up wind.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Stems pickled in brine or vinegar.
Decoction: Leaves/stems boiled.
Herb 243: Sanicle
Common Name: Sanicle (also known as Wood Sanicle)
Latin Name: Sanicula europaea
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Root
Habitat: Tall Trees, West Elizabeth. Found in cool, shaded deciduous woods.
Medical Use:
Excellent vulnerary (wound healing) for both internal and external wounds.
Used to stop bleeding and fluxes (diarrhea).
Used as a gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Leaves/root boiled.
Poultice: Bruised leaves applied to wounds.
Herb 244: Santolina
Common Name: Santolina (also known as Lavender Cotton)
Latin Name: Santolina chamaecyparissus
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Flowering Tops
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Cultivated in dry, sunny gardens.
Medical Use:
Highly warming and antiseptic. Used to kill worms (vermifuge).
Used to provoke delayed menstruation and warm a cold stomach.
Used to repel moths and insects (dried herb).
Preparation Methods:
Infusion: Herb steeped in water or wine.
Dried Herb: Placed among linens/clothing.
Herb 245: Saracen’s Woundwort
Common Name: Saracen’s Confound, or Saracen’s Woundwort (also known as Senecio saracenicus)
Latin Name: Senecio fluviatilis (formerly S. saracenicus)
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb
Habitat: Cumberland Forest, New Hanover. Found in wet, low-lying ground and stream banks.
Medical Use:
Excellent vulnerary for healing wounds, bruises, and internal injuries.
Used to stop bleeding (hemostatic) and cleanse the blood.
Used to treat fevers and is a powerful antiseptic.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Herb boiled in wine.
Poultice: Leaves bruised and applied to wounds.
Herb 246: Sarsaparilla
Common Name: Sarsaparilla (also known as Smilax)
Latin Name: Smilax officinalis (and related species)
Medicinal Parts: Root
Habitat: Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne. Tropical climbing vine, found in moist, shaded woods and swamps.
Medical Use:
Famous blood purifier (alterative). Used to cleanse the body and treat chronic skin conditions (syphilis, leprosy).
Used to induce sweating to break fevers.
Used as a tonic for rheumatism and joint stiffness.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Root boiled for 20-30 minutes.
Syrup: Root extract preserved with sugar.
Herb 247: Savine
Common Name: Savine (also known as Juniperus sabina)
Latin Name: Juniperus sabina
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Tops (use with extreme caution)
Habitat: Grizzlies West, Ambarino. Found on high, rocky slopes and mountainous regions.
Medical Use:
Powerful emmenagogue (provokes menstruation). Used to cleanse the womb and expel a dead fetus.
Used externally to remove warts and skin excrescences.
Note: Highly poisonous and caustic. Internal use is restricted to experienced practitioners.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Tops boiled (used cautiously).
Caustic Wash: Juice applied externally to warts.
Herb 248: Savory, Winter and Summer
Common Name: Savory, Winter and Summer (also known as Satureja)
Latin Name: Satureja montana (Winter) and Satureja hortensis (Summer)
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Flowering Tops
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Cultivated in dry, sunny gardens.
Medical Use:
Highly warming and carminative. Used to aid digestion, expel wind, and relieve colic.
Used to strengthen the stomach and promote appetite.
Applied externally to soothe bee and wasp stings.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion: Leaves steeped in water or wine.
Poultice: Bruised leaves applied directly to stings.
Herb 249: Scabious, Field
Common Name: Scabious, Field (also known as Blue Buttons, Knautia)
Latin Name: Knautia arvensis (and related species)
Medicinal Parts: Whole Herb, Root
Habitat: Big Valley, West Elizabeth. Found in meadows, roadsides, and grassy fields.
Medical Use:
Used to cleanse and clear chronic skin diseases (scabs, tetters, ringworm).
Used to expel the plague and poison (diaphoretic).
Decoction used for coughs and short breath.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Herb boiled in water or wine.
Wash: Strong decoction used for external skin issues.
Herb 250: Scurvygrass
Common Name: Scurvygrass (also known as Spoonwort, Cochlearia)
Latin Name: Cochlearia officinalis
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Seeds
Habitat: Along the saltwater coastlines of New Hanover and Lemoyne.
Medical Use:
Specific and highly effective remedy for scurvy
Herb 258: Sorrel
Common Name: Sorrel (also known as Rumex acetosa, Dock Sorrel)
Latin Name: Rumex acetosa
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Root
Habitat: Big Valley, West Elizabeth. Found in moist meadows and grassy banks.
Medical Use:
Highly cooling and used to relieve thirst and cool the body in fevers.
Rich in Vitamin C, excellent for treating scurvy.
Root is a mild astringent used to stop fluxes.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Leaves consumed raw (sour taste).
Juice: Pressed and mixed with water.
Herb 259: Southernwood
Common Name: Southernwood (also known as Abrotanum, Old Man)
Latin Name: Artemisia abrotanum
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Tops
Habitat: Hennigan's Stead, New Austin. Cultivated in dry, sunny gardens.
Medical Use:
Highly warming and antiseptic. Used to kill worms (vermifuge).
Used to clear the hair of lice and promote hair growth (external wash).
Used to provoke delayed menstruation and treat cold/chills.
Preparation Methods:
Infusion: Herb steeped in water or wine.
Wash: Strong decoction used for external application.
Herb 260: Sow Thistles
Common Name: Sow Thistles (also known as Sonchus)
Latin Name: Sonchus oleraceus (and related species)
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Juice
Habitat: Almost all regions, found in cultivated and waste ground.
Medical Use:
Highly cooling and mildly diuretic. Used to soothe the stomach and liver.
Juice used externally to treat inflamed skin and burns.
Eaten as a potherb, known for being gentler than other thistles.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Leaves cooked or eaten raw.
Juice: Pressed and applied externally.
Herb 261: Spignel
Common Name: Spignel (also known as Meum, Baldmoney)
Latin Name: Meum athamanticum
Medicinal Parts: Root, Seeds
Habitat: Grizzlies East, Ambarino. Found in mountainous meadows and high pastures.
Medical Use:
Highly warming and aromatic. Used to aid digestion and break up wind (colic).
Excellent expectorant for coughs, asthma, and short breath.
Used to provoke delayed menstruation.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Root or seeds boiled in wine.
Chewed: Root pieces consumed raw.
Herb 262: Star Thistle
Common Name: Star Thistle (also known as Centaurea calcitrapa)
Latin Name: Centaurea calcitrapa
Medicinal Parts: Root, Seeds
Habitat: Gaptooth Ridge, New Austin. Found on dry, waste ground and roadsides.
Medical Use:
Bitter tonic. Used to clear obstructions of the liver and spleen.
Used to break kidney stones and provoke urine (diuretic).
Used against venomous bites.
Preparation Methods:
Decoction: Root boiled in water or wine.
Powder: Dried root powdered.
Herb 263: Stonecrop
Common Name: Stonecrop (also known as Sedum)
Latin Name: Sedum acre (Biting Stonecrop)
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, Juice
Habitat: Roanoke Ridge, New Hanover. Grows on dry rocks, walls, and poor, stony ground.
Medical Use:
Highly caustic (biting taste). Used externally to remove warts and skin excrescences.
Used internally as a strong diuretic to treat dropsy (edema).
Note: Use internally with extreme caution due to causticity.
Preparation Methods:
Juice: Pressed and applied externally to warts.
Decoction: Herb boiled (used cautiously).
Herb 264: Strawberries
Common Name: Strawberries (also known as Fragaria)
Latin Name: Fragaria vesca (Wild Strawberry)
Medicinal Parts: Fruit, Leaves, Root
Habitat: Almost all regions, found in woods, banks, and open clearings.
Medical Use:
Fruit is highly cooling and nutritive. Used to cool the heat of fevers and soothe inflammation.
Leaves and root are a mild astringent, used to stop diarrhea and cleanse the blood.
Used to remove discoloration from teeth.
Preparation Methods:
Eaten: Fruit consumed raw.
Infusion: Leaves steeped in water.
Poultice: Mashed fruit applied externally.