[Herbalism] Herb & Effect

[Simeon Aytak]

Note: Certain herbs are hardier than others, and there are some which are extremely rare and hard-to-find. For example, chamomile and ginger will stubbornly grow anywhere they please, but poppy and silphium require very specific conditions to grow, much less flourish.

HERBS AND THEIR USES

Apples will help ease blood congestion when eaten - the seeds are a different matter altogether. If directly swallowed, the seeds will simply pass through the body harmlessly, but if cracked open, each one possesses tiny amounts of cyanide. If enough seeds are gathered together and philtered, it creates a high-density cyanide tincture that kills via respiratory failure.

Burdock tea helps to soothe liver inflammation, which is usually caused as a result of excessive drinking, though crafted poisons do sometimes target the liver as well. Burdock will also help lessen the severity of period pains.

Ginseng reinforces the body's immune system and increases viral resistance, making poisons far less effective. Constant consumption could provide a resistance to lotus-based poisons, but this would be impractical as the rarity of ginseng makes it extremely costly.

Lemongrass is capable of relieving headaches and migraines when made into tea, and is a key component in countering fungal poisoning. When burnt as incense, lemongrass helps remedy insomnia.

Lavender can remedy insomnia, anxiety, and depression when it is burnt as incense. If ingested instead, it can cure stomachaches.

Saffron as either a seasoning or made into tea can remedy depression and insomnia. It is also an effective natural remedy for asthma. Saffron also contains chemical properties that increase sexual libido. It is also claimed to help slow down the aging process. However, its great benefits are largely weighed down by how expensive it is.

Peppermint leaves, when chewed, will relieve the uncomfortable bloating sensation that comes about when one has eaten too much.

Lemon Balm, also known as Balm Mint, can lift fevers when boiled and consumed. When burnt as incense, it relieves stress and anxiety.

Elderflower can be used to quickly treat the common cold when it is made into tea.

Ginger will cure nausea when made into tea, and can also relieve disorientation/giddiness.

Silphium is a type of mildly-poisonous fennel that possesses natural birth control abilities in resin form. When dried up and made into powder, it can act as an aphrodisiac for men. If high amounts of silphium is consumed, it causes blood poisoning and muscle entropy leading to full-body paralysis, which, if not treated swiftly, will cause brain death.

Chamomile will cure insomnia when made into tea, calm the mind, and relax the muscles. When burnt as incense, it relieves morning sickness in pregnant women. When used in poultices, chamomile can lower fevers and cure light colds.

Butternut made into paste will expel parasites from the body when ingested, making it extremely useful when moving through swamp or jungle environments. However, it possesses natural laxatives, and over-consumption will quickly lead to diarrhea.

Cayenne, or Red Pepper as a seasoning will relieve joint inflammations from conditions such as arthritis. When applied liberally to an open wound, it instantly stops the bleeding.

Black Pepper will stop bleeding from open wounds in seconds if applied liberally. When applied directly to unbroken skin, it will also relieve itching caused by tiny insects like mites. When consumed, pepper eases upset stomachs and also improves respiratory function.

Yarrow will lift even high fevers within the hour if made into tea. When used as a poultice, it disinfects open wounds and quickens the scabbing process.

Parsley will ease blood congestion which usually comes about as a result of over-consumption of red meats.

Blood Grass will thicken the blood if consumed, which is normally not a particularly good thing, but when a person is heavily wounded with multiple lacerations, Blood Grass can be a lifesaver.

Basil will stimulate the appetite when used as a seasoning, as well as ease upset stomachs and reduce joint pain in the elderly.

Camphor seeds can be crushed for their oil, which can be applied to unbroken skin to ease muscle pains, as well as consumed to improve blood circulation.

Catnip will make cats high. When consumed by humans, it helps slow down the aging process and improves complexion when made into paste and applied liberally on the face.

Poppy seeds can be used to provide relief for the worst of pains, but over-consumption will lead to disorientation, loss of memory, and permanent brain damage.

Chrysanthemum can be boiled into tea to ease throat pains and chest pains. As a poultice, it can relieve bodily sores and inflammation of the eyes.

Vervain leaves, when boiled and consumed, induces drowsiness.

Coriander can relieve joint pain when consumed.

Cilantro will whet appetite when consumed, and also improves digestion.

Pennyroyal, also called Whoreflower, can be boiled into tea to relieve stomachaches. However, the tea is also an effective abortifacient, and will quickly kill developing fetuses. In high doses, Pennyroyal is lethal, and will kill by causing stomach cancer.

Belladona, also known as Deadly Nightshade, is an innocent-looking flower which was originally used by women as a beauty product. Consuming the plant gave women flushed red cheeks and dilated pupils, which were thought to make them more attractive. Unfortunately, as these women were about to find out, consuming any part of belladona is potentially fatal. Belladona will first cause a light fever/dizziness, then excessive salivation, followed by drying of the mouth, throat constriction, nausea, blurred vision, agitation, numbing as a muscle spasms, inability to breathe - and then death. The leaves do not possess as high a toxicity as other parts of the belladona; consuming only the leaves will not lead to death, only causing drying of the mouth, throat constriction, agitation, numbing, and blurred vision - a state known as being in a "berserker rage", or "battle trance". The sap alone is the most dangerous part, and can permeate the skin without actually being consumed.

Nutmeg in high doses causes inflammation in the eyes, euphoria, hallucinations, and then migraine - all in the course of 24 hours. If the migraine persists for over 24 hours, brain death quickly follows.

Rhubarb leaf stalks are harmless, but the leaves attached to the stalks are poisonous. The poison is at its highest toxicity level when ground up into a powder. If consumed, the powder causes a stomachache, followed by convulsions. Usually, victims recover after the convulsions, but if their immune system is weak enough, they will lapse into a coma.

Hemlock is an incredibly poisonous plant. Any part of hemlock in a quantity over 0.5 grams will cause death. The roots are the most toxic part - simply keeping them in one's mouth for over a few seconds will be fatal. Hemlock kills by causing nausea, bloody vomit, slurred speech, and then full-body paralysis. Following this, the body's functions start to shut down one by one, and eventually the body experiences total organ failure, leading to death. In medicine, carefully-administered hemlock can be a safe and effective paralytic agent to numb parts of the body prior to surgery. When used as a poison, hemlock gives itself away easily due to its atrocious smell, and must be usually concealed in some manner before being administered.

Fly Mushrooms are a red-capped fungi which cause dizziness and blurred vision when a single one is consumed. More than one mushroom will cause the dizziness to become delirium, and the blurred vision to become hallucinations, which are sometimes pleasing, and sometimes horrific. If a high dose is administered, fly mushrooms will cause a fitful coma that leads to death if not quickly treated.

Monkshood, also known as Wolfsbane, is an extremely poisonous plant that loses its toxicity when boiled. Therefore, to be used as a potent poison, it usually has to be dried in the sun and made into powder. Once this is done, it can be dissolved in cold water. When consumed, it causes excessive salivation, followed by dryness of the mouth, nausea, and then severe watery diarrhea. Once all the victim's body moisture has been forced out, the victim's body temperature drops very low, the heartbeat accelerates dangerously, and death comes in the form of sudden respiratory failure. Monkshood passively wards off wolves and dogs, who will refuse to go anywhere near the plant due to their heightened sense of smell alerting them to its toxicity.

[Gossamer]

Moderator Intervention

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