Illustrated Field Guide to Medicinal Herbs

Rudy's Illustrated Field Guide to Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses

I write this illustrated field guide in the hope that you, dear reader, will benefit from my years of research into the fields of medicinal Herbology and recognize the true value of the Herbalist within the field of medicine.

— Excerpt from the Forward of the Illustrated Field Guide, by Rudy Torvik

Purpose

The Illustrated Field Guide contains a wealth of knowledge on the identification and usage of herbs within medicine to provide healing and pain relief. While it focuses mainly on herbs available or obtainable within the Northern Reach it also includes various plants and even some animals from across Fillimet and even a few native to other planes. The thick tome also explains how to safely prepare each item or combine them together for various healing remedies.

Document Structure

Publication Status

Rudy's Illustrated Field Guide is publicly available for purchase by anyone with an interest in Herbology or Alchemy. Copies are also available from the Fillimet Magical Archives, and the Order of Abstention pushes for its adoption despite Rudy's protests against their usage of his efforts to further their own agenda. It has found recent popularity among the magic-shy population on Kogal Island who have just recently discovered the book and have eagerly ordered additional copies.

Historical Details

Background

The Illustrated Field Guide provides a compilation of Rudy Torvik's knowledge and research into medicinal herbs and their uses. The book was published in an effort to share this knowledge among his Herbalist peers while also raising awareness of the Herbs are Healing Movement and his efforts to achieve equal recognition for herbalists within the healing professions.

Public Reaction

In the five years since its publication the Illustrated Field Guide has slowly been growing in audience and popularity among the healing profession, with many Healers adopting new basic herbal medicine for use with their Curative Magic. Among those already accustomed to basic herbal uses the book still provides an insightful view into the vast array of useful herbs for healing purposes, and more healers have begun hiring full fledged Herbalists to assist their work as a result.

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Illustrated Field Guide to Medicinal Herbs

Carnivorous Lily

Carnivorous Lily by A. Biscup (SolarCat02)

Description: The Carnivorous Lily stands 6 to 8 feet tall at the pitcher, with multiple flower stalks 5 to 6 feet high surrounding the pitcher. These stalks end in a downturned red flower which glows with bioluminescence at night. Vines surround the pitcher in a radius sometimes extending more than 10 feet in diameter.
Locations: Carnivorous Lilies are found in forests and bogs. They are most prolific in locations with poor soil low in nutrients due to their lack of competition.
Harvesting and Preparation: WARNING!Carnivorous Lilies are predatory plants. The vines will entwine any creature which disturbs them, strangling their victim before inserting them into the central pitcher. The vines will recoil from frost, so applying cold is recommended for easiest harvesting. They are also susceptible to fire.WARNING!
The flowers may be cut from the stalks at any height. These are the only reasonably useful parts of the plant for medicinal purposes.
Uses: The bioluminescence of the flowers can be used to identify internal hemorrhaging or other effects. The dye is injected into the bodily system in question, then its path through the patient is observed to check for unexpected bright patches.
Side Effects of Use: The bioluminescence of the flower will last until the substance is passed from the system, resulting in random glowing patches throughout the process.
Cultivation: Due to the Lily's voracious appetite, cultivation is not recommended.

Climbing Greenleaf

Climbing Greenleaf by A. Biscup (SolarCat02)

Description: Climbing Greenleaf has jagged heart shaped leaves, all growing on the same side of the vine and facing the same direction. It circles trees and other available structures, but can also be found as ground cover. The leaves are typically a deep green but change to orange and yellow as frost approaches.
Locations: Climbing Greenleaf prefers partial to full sunlight. It can be found across Nomura, Abelore, and parts of Khalembra.
Harvesting and Preparation: Climbing Greenleaf can be harvested by simply tugging on the vines to separate it from its roots. The vine digs into the plants and items it uses as support, but the roots have no medicinal purposes. Leaves should be separated from the vines either through the use of a small blade or simply with a careful tug in the direction of the vine. The leaves are then either steamed as a poultice or boiled into tea.
Uses: The leaves of Climbing Greenleaf have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Poultice are useful to reduce swelling, while the tea in small quantities can relieve headaches. The vines themselves are surprisingly useful as a simple temporary rope and can be used quite effectively in the field to bind a poultice to a wound, apply a tourniquet, or affix a splint.
Side Effects of Use: Climbing Greenleaf must only be used in small quantities. Too high a concentration in the bloodstream will actually cause swelling throughout the body instead. Headaches and joint pain are early signs of Climbing Greenleaf Toxicity, which can result in death if left untreated.
Cultivation: Climbing Greenleaf does not respond well to cultivation, but can be trained to climb a trellis if one is patient and attentive.

Devil's Lichen

Devil's Lichen by A. Biscup (SolarCat02)

Description: Devil's Lichen is red-orange in coloration, and soft to the touch.
Locations: Devil's Lichen is native to forests and other wooded areas, in moderate to tropical locations. It grows best in partial sun so seek out partial clearings and locations with thinner canopies. The lichen could be found growing on trees or blanketing the ground.
Harvesting and Preparation: Devil's Lichen can be easily peeled from its chosen substrate in slow, gentle motions. It latches on to rough surfaces on trees and other substrates but it does not penetrate the surface.
Uses: The lichen itself is poisonous when ingested and should not be used medicinally in any capacity. Devil's Lichen is the only known host for Mage's Mold, a fungus with strong magical boosting effects.
Side Effects of Use: Symptoms of ingestion begin with stomach cramps, followed by vomiting. If left untreated, death is likely.
Cultivation: Carefully harvesting a selection of lichen and transplanting it to a new tree or other location which meets its nutritional and sunlight requirements is enough to develop a new colony. The lichen does need to be affixed to its new intended substrate until it grows enough to hold on by itself.

Fyreflower

Fyreflower by A. Biscup (SolarCat02)

Description: Fyreflower plants are bushy, growing one to two feet in height. The leaves are oval or teardrop in shape, while the flowers of wild varieties contain two sets of petals, 8 inner petals and 12 outer petals, with each show showing a different shade of red. Domesticated varieties are also available.
Locations: Fyreflower grows readily across much of Fillimet, although they are most famous across the Fyreflower Hills of the Andisol Valley.
Harvesting and Preparation: The flowers, fruits, and leaves of the plant are all edible and safe for harvest. Those with sensitive skin may wish to don gloves when handling the fruits as the oil within is considered a mild irritant. The leaves are frequently dried which weakens their flavor but increases their shelf life.
Uses: Fyreflower is a hit, spicy plant, with the fruit containing the highest concentration of the oils while the leaves remain the weakest. The plant works as a decongestant when consumed, with the hotter fruit providing the greatest effect.
Side Effects of Use: Ingesting Fyreflower also causes a burning sensation on the tongue. If this is not desired it can be alleviated by eating an oil-absorptive food such as dry bread.
Cultivation: Fyreflower is available in multiple domesticated varieties ranging from ornamental to extra spicy. Most are safe to eat but check with your horticulturist regarding the status of your particular variety. Generally the hotter the plant when eaten the more effective the decongestant.

Ice Mushrooms

Ice Mushrooms by A. Biscup (SolarCat02)

Description: Ice Mushrooms are fan-shaped, growing in grouped colonies which root deep into the ice.
Locations: The caves of the Igoris Mountains are the only known habitat of the Ice Mushroom. They require the frigid cold of Igoris, and must be dried before use.
Harvesting and Preparation: Ice Mushrooms may be plucked directly from the ice walls of the caves. Do not touch them with your bare skin until they have been dried! The mushrooms can be hung in a cool, dry place to dry naturally, or gentle heat may be applied to speed the process. Applying too much heat before they have dried will melt the mushrooms. After drying they may be rehydrated and even cooked with no ill effects. Store in a frigid location for the longest shelf life.
Uses: Ice Mushrooms are the most effective known antitoxin, with the ability to cure most poisons. Ingestion is the most effective application of the mushrooms, which adds a light, nutty flavor when cooked into dishes. It can also be dissolved into potions.
Side Effects of Use: When properly dried prior to use the mushrooms have no known side effects aside from a mild immunity to poison for the next day after consumption. If not yet dried they can cause hypothermia.
Cultivating: No known method exists to cultivate Ice Mushrooms. Their nutrient requirements are hypothesized to include something specific only to Igoris, although the identity of that something has yet to be identified.

Imperial Night Rose

Imperial Night Rose by A. Biscup (SolarCat02)

Description: The Imperial Night Rose can be recognized by its delicate white flowers. Those naturally attuned to magic will also notice its distinct humming.
Locations: The Imperial Night Rose can be found growing anywhere across Fillimet. It is most common in locations with particularly strong magical fields.
Harvesting and Preparation: The Imperial Night Rose stores raw Imperium within its flowers. These flowers can be removed and either dried and crushed into a powder or else steeped into a tea or broth. Consumption of any part of the plant, especially the flower, is not advised. It may be possible to restore power to magical devices and Runes through the use of the flower.
Uses: Imperial Night Rose can be used to restore an individual's spent Imperium. Its use is not recommended due to the permanent side effects.
Side Effects of Use: WARNING! Consumption of Imperial Night Rose is extremely addictive and extremely damaging. Repeat consumption of the Imperial Night Rose has been a confirmed cause of Hallucinatory Derangement. WARNING!
Cultivation: Imperial Night Rose is a temperamental plant for the first five years of its growth as it develops the roots needed to draw its resources from the soil, including Imperium. Once established it is a hardy plant.

Mage's Mold

Mage's Mold by A. Biscup (SolarCat02)

Description: Mage's Mold is a small button top fungus. It is very difficult to spot during the daylight, but at night it shines with a bright blue luminescence.
Locations: Mage's Mold can only be found growing within the poisonous Devil's Lichen, as it requires nutrients from the lichen for its own survival. Devil's Lichen grows faster in the presence of Mage's Mold so seek out particularly large patches of the lichen during daylight hours, then return at night to harvest the mold.
Harvesting and Preparation: Using a small, sharp knife gently cut off the button tops of the mold, leaving its stalks. While the stalks provide the same medicinal properties as the buttons they are not as potent, and harvesting the mold further down the stalk greatly increases the amount of the surrounding Devil's Lichen also harvested. Due to the mold's small size contamination with the lichen is all but ensured, and therefore it is advised to only harvest the tallest mold growths.
Uses: Mage's Mold has the unique property of enhancing a mage's astral projections, allowing for more effective use of related spells.
Side Effects of Use: Provided a pure sampling of Mage's Mold is used without any decontamination with Devil's Lichen there are no side effects.
Cultivation: Mage's Mold also exhibits yeast-like properties, allowing it to be grown and brewed into beer. A small naturally harvested sample can easily be grown into a domesticated stock ingested in beer form. This method is typically recommended due to the dangers inherent when harvesting from the wild, despite the chance of intoxication due to the mold's fermentation properties.

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Type

Manual, Scientific

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

5746

Location

Northern Reach

Authors

• Rudy Torvik