Unicorns of the Vale

Hey, I have a rep to protect as Senior Healer, yanno. I'm making it my personal project to keep track of our use of healing herbs and add those herbs to the Interactive Encyclopedia to help make a much more cohesive world. But I can't do it alone! I need your help!

This is a call out to everyone whose characters use herbs or treatments for healing purpose, whether they treat themselves or help treat others. If your character uses an herb, come here and list all of its information. Some good things to include would be:

Name (what your character calls the herb/treatment. Please, no latin names, though you can cite it in the old unicorn/gryphon/pan tongue.)
Appearance
Where is it Most Commonly Found
Purpose
Amount per dose (general dosage - "one mouthful," etc., is just fine)
Side Effects
How will this make the treated character feel? (For instance, if it is used to treat fever, will it make the character feel lightheaded? Dizzy? Warm?)
Any other useful information. This might include risk of addiction, how it will affect other species, mythology behind the herb, etc.

Additionally, if your character - for whatever reason - uses an herb as a poison, please list it here also with similar information.

Take time and put thought into your listing. Don't worry if someone else has already listed an herb with a similar purpose - there are lots of herbs out there that reduce fever or fight infection! Please don't overwhelm me with a huge list, and please don't use this post for commentary about what you feel should or shouldn't be included. I just want herbs that your characters are using now, and I'll do my best to get a working page on herbals up in the Encyclopedia as soon as possible and updated as frequently as I can.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Name: Redsleep (no other name used)
Appearance: Redsleep is an upright, annual herb. The leaves are pale green and hairless, and the flowers can have many colors ranging from white, to purple and red (most common color is red). All parts of Redsleep contain small pods filled with white sap. The typical capsules vary in shape and size, but they are usually oval in shape and flat at the top (like a half full moon). The dark seeds are very small.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: Found in semi-arid regions like the Far Plains (near the north). Usually common around small groves and copses.
Purpose: Redsleep is to be administered to those with crippling pain. The herb will numb the pain but will allow the injured the ability to walk to another area for further treatment.Redsleep has hypnotic, stimulant, analgesic, sedative, astringent, antitussive and diaphoretic properties.
Amount per dose: One unripened pod and two flower petals.
Side Effects: Redsleep's side effects may include but are not limited to; malnutrition, respiratory complications, mental and physical health problems, dehydration, contracted pupils, moodiness, sterility, lung, liver, kidney and brain damage, loss of weight, frequent infections, pregnancy complications including still birth, death. Many of the side effects can be caused from incorrect use and ingestion of herb. A healer can stop most of these side effects from occurring.
How will this make the treated character feel? There is a feeling of intense fatigue and warmth once the herb is ingested. Pain is also completely numbed. Unicorns also feel a general detachment from their body and emotions. It gives an overall feeling of intense relaxation.
Any other useful information: Highly addictive, poisonous to anything smaller than an average sized unicorn, the herb is not widely accepted nor used often due to the high mortality rate of those that take it as well as it's addictive properties.

Name: Snow Flower
Appearance: A small, white, short lived perennial flower. It grows low to the ground, and stands anywhere from 4 to 12 inches high and is wooly in appearance. The leaves are a silvery- grey color and almost lie flat on the ground, and there are typically three to four of these tiny flowers on a stem.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: In mountainous regions, in Mountain meadows and screes in shaded southern facing areas with light soil and good drainage.
Purpose: Among many things it is an astringent and an antitussive – meaning it is both useful in topical treatment, for small cuts and even in the treatment of scars, and it can also be ingested to help with a bad cough. It is also used as a cure for diarrhea and dysentery, and can also help with sunburn.
Amount per dose: One to two flowers for a cough, and for use on cuts or scars it varies depending on size and severity. For diarrhea and dysentery, again, it depends on severity, but typically one to two plants will be used per patient for the symptoms daily until they have subsided.
Side Effects: None known.
How will this make the treated character feel: Generally there are no ‘feelings’ associated with this plant – if one were to have a bad cough this would help with the cough and in turn perhaps soothe a sore throat, if used on a cut one would experience a soothing, cooling sensation and in being ingested for internal problems there are no sensations to assure that the plants are doing anything, one must merely wait for the results.
Any other useful information: Though these plants are very hardy and can survive extreme condition they are extremely sensitive to change. If flowers are picked from the plant repeatedly quite typically the entire plant will die. They prefer to grow in mossy carpets in hospitable areas, but are seen growing singly as well – typically in scree faces between rocks. It's lack of side effects make it a preferred herb among healers to treat a wide variety of symptoms, but the rarity and difficulty in obtaining the plant makes it a rather rare material to come by.

Not sure whether this counts because none of my characters are healers, but I used it in Nera's backstory so...

Name: 'Wildweed'
Appearance: Small plant with seven spiky-edged leaves and small red five-petaled flowers when in bloom.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: Shady damp areas, especially in darkened hollows around trees.
Purpose: Small amounts have painkilling properties.
Amount per dose: Half to one leaf mixed with other herbs.
Side Effects: Side effects of short term usage include temporary confusion, ammnesia and disorentation. Side effects of long term usage include: Malnutition, diminished appetite, increased agression, dependance, insanity, damaged immune system.
How will this make the treated character feel? Initially light-headed and invincible soon followed by lethargy. Will greatly diminish any pain felt.
Any other useful information: HIGHLY ADDICTIVE! Effects on other species unknown. Dangers far outweigh the positive uses so only to be used in desperate circumstances.

Name: Dry Leaf or Chew Plant
Appearance: There is variation in size and shapefrom habitat to habitat, but for the most part all plants maintain a uniform color and appearance. Leaves may be broader in warmer areas, sharper in dried areas, and waxier in moister climates. Dry leaf is typically a low lying plant, with a very shallow root system making for easy disruption. The leaves are always slightly hairy, a very light green in color and very brittle. The leaves are numerous on the plant, and it blooms briefly before the soft pink flowers die off. It is very bitter and acidic in taste and slightly musty in it's odor.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: It can grow most anywhere, typically an anual plant but in heavily wooded areas it will grow and bloom in the spring and summer, recede and die in autumn and winter, but come back again the next spring.
Purpose: Used specifically for chewing, and nothing else. It is a plant chewed for pleasure, and is often times very addictive. The dangers that come with taking too much usually keep unicorns from taking up the habit.
Amount per dose: Typically only one leaf, though unicorns whom have chewed the plant long enough, and built up a resistance to the toxins may take more.
Side Effects: If the proper amount is taken, there will be few side effects. The most one will suffer typically, if ingested correctly will be an addiction to the leaf, a feeling that they must chew more. Typically the leaf is not swallowed, nor is the sap that comes from chewing the leaves. It is spit periodically to avoid accidental swallowing, though there are unicorns that do tend to swallow in small amounts. A unicorn new to the herb may find that swallowing results in dizziness, an upset stomach; they may sweat and grow a bit weak. The warning signs typical in an overdose include twitching, which usually sets in around the shoulders and neck. In severe overdose cases, the symptoms advance and the victim becomes increasingly clumsy and signs of prostration and paralysis become evident. A violent heart beat, increased body temperature, cold extremities and labored breathing are also signs of an overindulge. Quite often the symptoms are presented rapidly, and death is sudden. In some cases the victim will struggle and suffer with the side effects for several days, but can come away from the overdose well if looked after properly with plenty of time to recuperate and careful attention to the separate symptoms such as colic and fever. In the case of an overdose it is very important for the victim to stay hydrated and mobile so as to combat the colic that may set in. Herbs administered to combat fever and dehydration are a staple in the recovery process.

It is important to note that recovery is not promised, and in most situations death is inevitable, but those willing to fight and those who receive the proper attention in time have a fair chance in getting through this.

How will this make the treated character feel?: The only feeling associated with dry leaf would be a feeling of dependancy, if the plant is ingested correctly. If the juices created in the chewing process are swallowed one may suffer an upset stomach, become dizzy and slightly weak.
Any other useful information: The use of this plant is greatly discouraged by parents because of the dangers in using it, and because of it's addictive nature. However, there are still some unicorns who do experiment with it and get addicted to it. Typically, the leaves are pulled from the plant and dried first prior to being chewed, to further prevent an accidental overdose, however there are unicorns (most often those who have chewed for sometime) who chew the leaves directly after pulling them.


Name: Comb Leaf
Appearance: Comb leaf is a very leafy plant, with thick, broad and hairy leaves, with small bell shaped flowers varying in colors, but they most typically come in white, cream, purple and pink. The plant's roots are black and often extensive and deepset, it is a very hard plant to pull.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: It grows most anywhere, though it flourishes in places with plenty of sunlight, thick fertile soil and cooler climates.
Purpose: It is typically avoided in grazing for the hairy nature of it's leaves, though once wilted the hairs fall and it is not so unpleasant to eat. It is used most in the treatment of topical wounds, particular bumps and bruises. When chewed and applied to a wound it is quite helpful in staunching heavy bleeding. It soothes sore throats, and is helpful in soothing an unsettled stomach.
Amount per dose: For topical wounds the amount varies depending on wound size, for a sore throat or upset stomach a mouthful or two of the plant will do fine. There are no dangers in eating too much of the plant.
Side Effects: There are none, unless of course the subject is for some reason allergic to the plant.
How will this make the treated character feel?: It soothes sore throats and stomach aches, and bruises and sores as well but aside from that there are no other feelings associated with the herb.
Any other useful information: The leaves are useful, but the roots are the most useful part of the herb and they are very hard to pull. Most of the time the plant has to be dug up.

Here are just a few of May's herbs:

Name: Fire Lilly
Appearance: A slim plant, maroon near the roots but it greens as it nears the top. White or red flowers grow along the stem and give off a spicy fragrance. There are usually 5 to 30 flowers depending on the size of the plant. In the Vale they usually stay small due to the cold winters but they have been known to grow larger than a unicorn on the edge of the Hills.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: It is found in both the Vale and Hallow Hills.
Purpose: When the flower is crushed and applied to burns it help the healing process and prevents infection of the burned area.
Amount per dose: About four flowers crushed on a rock will generally heal two burned legs, and ten will cover the whole body.
Side Effects: If the leaves, flowers, or juices are swallowed they will usually give the user hives or a nasty stomachache. If the roots are swallowed they will kill the user in about a day unless treated soon after ingestion. Can be used as poison.
How will this make the treated character feel?: The areas treated will usually burn for a few minutes and then seem to chill the area for a few days.


Name: Sky Drip
Appearance: The stalk is golden-green with light blue leaftips. It grows to about knee-height.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: The Plain
Purpose: Anti-toxin. It treats most toxic plants when eaten.
Amount per dose: 1/2 a mouthful per mouthful of toxic plant.
Side Effects: The user enters a coma-like sleep soon after eating. They are not guaranteed to wake depending on strength of spirit and body. So, a sickly, starving unicorn that is ready to die will probably not wake. If the user does wake they can be very weak for up to a week, sometimes only a day.
How will this make the treated character feel?: The user usually dreams of his/her past during their coma-like sleep so depending on the user's past they could feel happy or sad when they wake.


Name: Rosewind
Appearance: A small, normal looking herb. It is a minty green plant that stands 1/4 of a leg tall. It is found naturally near the base of large trees but can be trans-planted. The veins of the plant are red, allowing them to be easily identified.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: The Vale
Purpose: General hoof and coat care. If taken once or twice a week the coat, mane, and tail will be healthier and the hooves harder and drier.
Amount per dose: Three or four leaves a week
Side Effects: The user may have slight light sensitivity for the first few days after initial use but it is not permanent.
How will this make the treated character feel?: The user should stay out of the sun for the first week of use due to light sensitivity that causes headaches. Night grazing is recommended during this period.


Thank goodness I had the basic outline of these for the story I'm writing

I've been working on the Interactive Encyclopedia herbals section and I'm proud to say that there are three herbs now listed.

Blue and Firefeet - I'm not sure my handdrawn pictures are accurate, because I read your descriptions and compared them to other plants I knew that looked similar. If you have source pictures, let me know, or if you have more information about their appearance, I can make changes.

Redsleep, Snowflower, and Greenthorn have all been added. I'm going to wait until I have more herbs entered before I make the A-Z index, but right now you can find Redsleep & Greenthorn under 'First Aid,' and Snowflower under 'Infection.' Snowflower will also be listed under 'Cough, Colds & Flu,' but I need to create the page first.

http://www.unicornsofthevale.com/ie/botanicals.php

Thank you for contributing!

Scy

Dang Scy! That's really freaking COOL! I had no idea you guys were going to go that far with it, I thought it was just going to be a neat little list outlined here for us to reference but a whole interactive page like that with the images?! Too.cool.

Just wanted to let you know! OH, and what you've got for the snow flower plant looks perfect!!

I had to come up with a good "drug" for my "Dr House-Unicorn" so here goes...


(feel free to do a pic that fits the Herb encyclopida better)

Bloodseed
Bloodseed is a herb that just like Redsleep have analgesic properties.

Growth
The Bloodseed grows to well over a meter in height and the leaves are deep green, the flowers are white, but can shimmer slighty towards an icyblue. The flowers have a strong smell, reminding the smell of a Hyacinth. The seeds from Bloodseed are quite large (like a appleseed) and are covered in a fleshy cover that attracts for example birds (for carry the seeds elsewhere in their gut). The Bloodseed berry changes color along with the seed that are white at first before turning maroon/red in color as it matures. The maroon/red seed holds more toxin than the white one.

Habitat
Grows on all parts of the plains if it just have shade and a good supply of water. It may grow on more dry land but then the seeds are smaller and dryer. They typically grows within small groves and copses.

Other Names
Whiteseed, Dreamseed

Amount per dose
Depends. About 5 berries is normally enough, about 10-15 leafs on a small fire, stand as close as possible to inhale smoke

Uses
The herb numbs pain quite well, however the effects dont last for more than a day at most. It is also a psychoactive herb that make you relax.It can be chewed (the seeds) and smoked (the leafs). The effects of smoked Bloodseed leaf typically only last for a few minutes, while the effects of chewed seeds lasts at least a day. The leafs are bitter to chew but the more addicted unicorn might chew some leafs to avoid some withdrawal effects.

Side Effects
Side effects for Bloodseed are most commonly upset stomach, nausea, and altered mental status (eg. dizziness, light headedness). The withdrawal effects of Bloodseed include things such as insomnia, night sweats, tremors, and agitation.

Physical Effects
The most common effects include an increased feeling of insight, an improved mood, a sense of calmness, and an increased sense of connection with nature - though, much less often, it may also cause dysphoria (unpleasant or uncomfortable mood)

Other Information
Bloodseed is a psychoactive herb which can induce strong dissociative effects. May be used as a divine connection when seeking solutions and answers through ritual. Its a herb that usually catches the intrest of halfgrowns, especially when they sniff the smoke of both burning leaf and seeds, getting the feeling of a mental "high". The novelty soon wears off, but use may continue as self-medicating agent or more advanced addictive state.

Posting this for future use with my incoming character! Cinnamon is useful. :O

Name: Dwarf Cinnamon (PronounciationL: sin-uh-muh n)(Also spelt Kinnamon)
Appearance: Cinnamon trees are evergreen trees with fragrant bark, standing 5 ft tall, with green ovate-oblong in shape, and 3 inches long. The flowers, which are arranged in panicles, have a greenish color, and have a distinct odor of light spices. The fruit is a purple 1-cm berry containing a single seed.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: Rare tree sound scattered in the Pan Woods, Hallow Hills, with one of two trees in Alma's Heart. Hard to find, or prep for use since only the young trees and bark are useful. High regrowth rate from seeds eaten and passed through digestive system.
Purpose: Cinnamon can be used as a stimulant and is useful in relieving flatulence and in increasing secretion and discharge of urine, bug repellent, prevents nervous tension, freshens the mouth, improves memory, stops diarrhoea, increases digestion, acts as an anti-spasmodic, and is a natural birth control agent. It also is used against colds and influenza.
Amount per dose: Half a 10 cm stick of dried curled bark from a young tree, varying for body size, most commonly chewed or ground into a powder, and mixed with honey, water, or swallowed as is. Can also be thrown into a fire to provide scent to the grotto, or ground and sprinkled on the food of the infirm to promote digestion and appetite. Leaves shed from trees can be rolled on to provide natural bug repellent. As a birth control agent, an eight of a 10 cm stick, chewed daily for a month after birth prevents ovulation for 15-20 months afterwards.
Side Effects: Mild swelling in mouth from prolonged chewing of cinnamon, constant internal use can make individuals smell of cinnamon (individuals sweat the smell and generally have a cinnamon or spicy odor). Otherwise VERY well tolerated by all ages, safe for use in foals and elderly.
How will this make the treated character feel?: Depending on original symptoms, patient may feel more alert, less ill, or more comfortable.
Any other useful information: Must be the outer bark of a young tree, dried properly after being coppiced. Can be used raw, but effects are diminished.

I'm not sure it really counts, but Elen used it on Tor..


Name: Blue Socks
Appearance: A small medium blue flower, it grows to the height of a unicorns knee - though by that time it has lost its efffect. - The stems are small and spindely, intertwining itself with anything it can find.
The flower looks like a sock (on a human - sorry, I dont have another way to explaine it..) and has ruffely edges. The inside of the flower constist of purple puffs - but you can see those unless looking for them.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: On the edge of the Plains, bordering the Salt Flats. It is a plant that like a lot of heat, so thrives in this eonviorment. Patches of Blue Socks will randomly show up on the salt flats for no apperant reason.
Purpose: Clears the fog of a consussion or shock of a major accident.
Amount per dose: Only 5 or 6 flowers, the effect is very strong.
Side Effects: If taken too much, the "Person" in question will feel very sick, and it will actually make the shock worse than it is. When the Flower is a Knee height, the plant will do nothing.
When used proporly, the one is question will have a small upset stomach, and bad breath.
How will this make the treated character feel? They will feel the fog go away, it will not take away pain, but it will make it some what more bearable.

* The Vale# Healer's Compendium* Healer's Guide *Herbs & Their Uses

These are both actual plants and as I have hear listed for their actual uses, Since Thia is using them I thought I would add them here as well as her Herb she has twisted into her mane

Name: Kava Root
Appearance: Rather small busy plant with large heart shaped leaves
Where is it Most Commonly Found: Various locations, It is a very hardy fast growing plant. Most likely found in forest regions
Purpose: Pain relief. also induces a mild euphoria and relaxation.
Amount per dose: One to two roots depending on their size and the size of the unicorn
Side Effects: Prolonged or heavy use causes shortness of breath and liver damage
How will this make the treated character feel? : Lips will become numb, Character will become more talkative, muscles will relax and character will feel a sense of well being. Can also cause light sensitivity and drowsiness
Any other useful information.: Kava Root has not been found to have any addictive or permanent adverse effects. Small doses of kava have been shown to slightly improve memory and cognition, large amounts at one time have been shown to cause intoxication. Users do not develop a tolerance to the root.

Unlikely to be used as poison as very large amounts and prolonged usage must occur before any damage is done.

Name: Little Fig (damiana Leaf)
Appearance: Rather small shrub. Produces small aromatic flowers, yellow in color. Blossoms in summer and produces a fruit that tastes similar to a fig. Smallish elongated leaves with rough edges. somewhat fuzzy in appearance.
Where is it Most Commonly Found: Wet Forest area's
Purpose: Stimulates arousal, and helps with Infertility As well as is good for coughs
Amount per dose: A small amount of leaves 2 to 3
Side Effects: hallucinations and can cause headaches
How will this make the treated character feel? : relaxed with mild mind altering effects similar to that of Cannabis
Any other useful information.: has been known to cause very vivid dreams

fictional plant made up for Thia's use

Name: Blood's fever
Appearance: Long green leaves. Large pink blossoms in fall. Leaves stay on the plant even during winter. Very strong easily twisted and pounded into a sort of fibrous rope
Where it is Most Commonly Found: It likes to grow near beech trees though it can be found in any forested region. the plants have many blooms and many often grow together
Purpose: (thia's usage) When the leaves are crushed the release a pungently sweet odor that is like an aphrodisiac. The smell is very heavy and will rub off on anything that directly touches the leaves
(other)the flowers have an astringent quality and are excellent for cuts or abrasions or even parasites of the skin
Amount per dose: To create a wash for cuts or parasites a number of flowers must be used. 10 or more soaked in warm water (not sure if this is ok or not can be changed if needed) and then sponged onto skin with moss
Side Effects: Clouds the mind so that thinking clearly is difficult when a crushed plant's aroma is breathed in. When washed on skin no side effects are known
How will this make the character feel: (breathed) light headed and somewhat more free. Aroused (wash) has a cooling sensation
Any other useful information:


*Edit* May 4 2010. new plant added

Name: Yarrow, Thousand leaf, Devils nettle, Soldiers Woundwort, Little Feather
Appearance:Common yarrow is an erect herbaceous perennial plant that produces one to several stems (0.2 to 1m tall) and has a rhizomatous growth form. Leaves are evenly distributed along the stem, with the leaves near the middle and bottom of the stem being the largest. The leaves have varying degrees of hairiness
Where it is Most Commonly Found: In mildly disturbed soil of grasslands and open forests.
Purpose: Any number of uses, ranging from clotting blood to curing coughs, Leaves and flowers are used
Amount per dose:
Side Effects: mild stimulant effect, can cause a skin rash, very rare
How will this make the character feel: Yarrow is sweet with a slight bitter taste
Any other useful information: info found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillea_m ... l_medicine