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Herbs
Herbs 1 may be used for many purposes, such
as healing, stimulants, aphrodisiacs, etc. Oftentimes,
herbs are incorporated as ingredients in spells. Here,
however, herbs are noted for their physical effects
and uses.
Anemone, also known as wildflower or
pasque flower, is commonly used for healing. Gather
a perfect bloom when the first are seen in spring, tie
them up in a red cloth, and carry as a guard against
disease.
Angelica, also known as masterwort and
archangel, this herb bears leaves that, when dried,
assist exorcisms. Angelica is believed to be protection
against contagion, purify the blood, a remedy
against poisons, and able to cure nearly every malady.
Basil is a plant of the mint family. It is a
sweet herb used for fragrance and as a seasoning
for food. It grows about 12 inches tall. Basil is
reputed to have protective properties, as well as assist
in purification and banishing.
Cypress trees are symmetrical evergreens
resembling poplar trees and often grow over 90 feet
in height. Cypress trees have a close-grained yellow
or reddish wood so resinous that it resists rotting
even after prolonged submersion in water. It has
been used to assist in banishing.
Daffodil is a common herb, though the bulb
is used, not the flower. The bulbs should be gathered
in the winter. The daffodil is used as an application
to wounds. When applied, daffodil helps heal
burns, strained sinews, and stiff or painful joints.
Also, daffodil is successful at withdrawing thorns
from the body. The daffodil is the basis of an ointment
called narcissimum. When ingested, daffodil
is an effective emetic, causing prolific vomiting.
Dill grows wild in grain fields and is cultivated
as an herb. Dill has a strong, aromatic taste.
Its leaves are used for flavoring and sauces. Dill is
used by mages in spells and charms against sorcery.
Elder is a tree that produces berries. Elder
is also called eldrun, ellhorn, hollunder, hylder, and
hylantree. The wood of this tree is used to make
musical pipes. This tree is connected with magic.
Within the branches lives a dryad called a Hylde-
Moer, the Elder-tree Mother, who watches over it.
If the tree is cut down and used to produce furniture,
then the dryad will follow and haunt the owners.
Many believe the tree wards away sorcerers and
evil spirits. The bark of an elder tree is used in producing
black dye. In large doses, an infusion of elder
bark functions as an emetic. An extract of the
berries is believed to promote longevity. Elder leaves
are used in an ointment that helps bruises and
sprains.
Fennel is a plant characterized chiefly by its
aromatic leaves and seeds that grows between 2 and
4 feet tall. Also called fanculum, fenkel, and
marathron, fennel leaves and seeds are used for flavoring
and its seeds are used as a medicine. The
plant is associated with protection from sorcery and
immorality. Fennel is hung over doors on the eve
of midsummer to ward off evil spirits. When ingested,
it is believed that fennel bestows 1d10
Strength sub-ability points, and it increases longevity
and courage.
Frankincense is obtained from the bark of
the northern Spruce tree. When boiled in water
and strained, the resin becomes burgundy pitch and
is used for medicinal purposes. The resin contains
volatile oils that diffuse a strong fragrance in burning.
Frankincense is an antidote for hemlock. The
most popular form of incense is frankincense.
Garlic is a strongly scented herb. The bulbs
of these plants are used as a flavoring. In medicine,
garlic is used as a digestive stimulant, diuretic, and
antispasmodic. Garlic is associated with protection,
namely against vampires.
Horehound is a plant of the mint family
that grows as tall as 12 inches and bears grayishwhite,
hoary leaves. An aromatic oil may be obtained
from the leaves and is used to make a syrup
tonic. White horehound is an anti-magical herb. It
is a lesser antidote against poison, specifically spider
venom.
Chapter 17: Natural Substances
1. Information on herbs has been referenced from www.botanicals.com, as cited in the References section at the end of this
book.
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