Phethyash ('leafy compassion')

When it comes to herbs and spices that can be beneficial to the peoples of Eldûra, none are quite like phethyash, the leafy compassion.
Considered to be possibly related to the wonderful mint due to its wonderful smell, even though its leaves are the wrong shape to be mint and it tastes nothing like it. It blossoms in spring and again at harvest-time, which varies depending on when summer decides to relinquish its hold on the world and hand its crown over to autumn, and its blooms are small and dainty and a delicate light blue that reflect the freshness of its smell.
Phethyash is a perennial plant, one that returns year after year unless its roots are disturbed. It grows to be around one foot tall and shares the same irritable tenacity as mint to spread and become invasive. It is this quality that scholars and elven scientists both agree is the one reason phethyash hasn’t faded into the annals of history.
It was first discovered shortly after the first humans came to Eldondi, and was named Bethlibash. Over the years, the spelling of its name changed from Genesai to the Cave Common of Phethibash to the Aktigari of Vetash before it reverted back slightly to Phethyash. It wasn’t until the first horrid winter that they discovered the herb’s unique uses, when sickness broke out in the first settlement and people began to die. One of the wind elementals, the North Wind Pæli (now known as Phaelí), stumbled across their plight. Remembering how he and his people had struggled before the Creator intervened with the Deceiver and his followers, he came to the struggling Eldonine.
During his travels, Pæli had come across a plant in the wilds of Eldondi and over the years he had managed to determine its usefulness and how it could be used to heal humans.
Pæli brought samples to the people, and taught them how to use it. The roots could be used to make tea to help send a sick person to sleep so they could rest. The leaves can be used as a poultice on cuts and burns to help with healing, and if they are dried first, they can be boiled into a tea that opens up the respiratory system and decongest the sinuses.
It turned out to be the Eldonine’s saving grace. Those knocking on death’s door were able to breathe again and get the rest they needed to heal.
When that terrible winter was over, Pæli returned and taught them how to propagate the phethyash, how to gather their seeds and plant them elsewhere if need be.
So grateful were the Eldonine that they made the phethyash they plant of their fledgling kingdom, and forever after held Pæli in high regard.

Additional Information

Domestication

Phethyash used to be domesticated and was once so plentiful that it was put into many delicious things, as its smell was pleasant and its taste wasn't that bad. In the capital city of Eldondi, Fûhim (Genesai: new city), nearly every open space and garden was stuffed full with phethyash. Bannister flowerboxes sported phethyash more than other flowers and window boxes too. Due to its extensive domestication, the air was filled with a constant, refreshing scent.
Unfortunately, when the Sorcerer Queen conquered Eldondi, Fûhim was attacked and sacked and most of the domesticated phethyash was lost. Nowadays, phethyash can only be found in the wild or in the ruins of towns and cities that were destroyed during the Sorcerer Queen's rampage.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Phethyash is used mostly for the treatment of illnesses that inflict chest complaints like congestion, difficulty breathing, coughing, and for sinus complaints such as congestion/stuffed nose and runny nose. Its roots can be ground up and made into a tincture that can put someone into a deep and restful sleep that cannot be disturbed until their body is finished working through it.

Plant Type: Herb
Max Height: 1 foot | 0.3048 meters | 12 inches