Remedies

Aloe

Wherever Aloe grows, it is well-known as everybody's favorite remedy for burns and rashes. Aloe can be characterized by its rosette of long, tapering, fleshy leaves that exude a thick sap when broken, Aloe rarely grows more than 60 cm tall. There is no true stem or branches; the main body of the plant is merely the place from which all the leaves grow. Although it only grows in warm, dry regions, it also exists in pots throughout Pern. On the rare occasions that if flowers, it will grow a long flower stalk anywhere from one to six meters long, with yellow to red flowers that are quite pretty.

Unfortunately, Aloe gel does not keep, extract, or dry very well, and is best used fresh. Any place that can grow it is strongly recommended to do so. To use, a leaf should be removed from the base of the plant with a sharp knife, and the fleshy part squeezed.

Aloe's uses include burns and rashes. It can help to reduce scarring, and soothe itching. It can also be used as a laxative, and may, if grown in sufficient resources, be used for constipated dragons.

Fellis

Fellis grows as a small, branchy tree easily recognized by its star-shaped yellow blossoms. The juice made from the leaves and stems is a powerful narcotic painkiller, with addictive tendencies. It is widely used in the Healing profession, but is always used with caution, and never where a lesser remedy will suffice.

Fellis juice is extremely bitter, and as such is rarely given undiluted, although this can be done in an emergency. It is most often given in wine, as this best disguises the taste, although it may be diluted in juice, klah, or any other liquid. It has sedative properties, and is occasionally used in cases of severe emotional trauma; it is also used in cases where it is desirable for the patient to be unconscious or extremely unaware of his surroundings, such as surgery or the re-opening and cleansing of an infected wound. Fellis juice is extremely addictive, and its chronic use should be limited to terminally-ill patients. All Healers keep a careful eye on their supply of distilled Fellis, and report any unexplained shortages to their Holder or Weyrwoman, as appropriate. Most importantly, to the dragonhealer, it is imperative to note that all dragon kin have a fatal reaction to the juice and so it should never be used on their kind.

Needlethorn

Needlethorns are the spines of a succulent bush which grows in the tropical regions of Pern. During the growing season, the plant will shoot the toxic spines at anything that disturbs it, but when the flowers of the ging trees which grow nearby open in the autumn, the plant is dormant and the spines can be safely gathered. The hollow needles are strong enough to be used for giving injections or for drawing ichor. When the Ging trees are flowering, Needlethorns should be gathered from the bushes and either placed in a basket or wrapped in the leaves of the Ging tree.

Needlethorns should always be carefully sterilized with Redwort before use, and rinsed with boiling water. They can be stored for long periods of time wrapped in thick, sterile cloth, or kept in a sterile box, but should never be re-used; to do so introduces an unacceptable risk of infection. Likewise, the syringes used for giving injections or drawing blood should be carefully sterilized in boiling water and Redwort; however, because they are made of glass, they can be acceptably sterilized for re-use. Fit the Needlethorn carefully to the end of the syringe, assuring that there are no gaps in the fit, and seal the connection with soft wax to prevent leakage. Before giving an injection, prepare the skin carefully by cleaning with water and Redwort. Applying a small amount of Numbweed and then carefully wiping the area clean will lessen the patient's discomfort without interfering with treatment. Injections are most easily made under the skin covering the arm or the hip, while blood is most easily drawn from the large veins running through the curve of the elbow.

Numbweed

Numbweed is a succulent plant which grows in greatest profusion in the semi-tropical and tropical regions of Pern, although it can be found in all areas. It produces a sap which deadens all feeling on contact; this can blister the skin in its raw form. Numbweed leaves are gathered, crushed and placed into a huge vat. They are then boiled until the Numbweed turns a pale yellow color. The leaves are strained and the resulting liquid decanted. This is an extremely malodorous process, and a face scarf is highly recommended. The fact that Numbweed boiling is undertaken regularly at all human habitations on Pern attests to the great effectiveness and necessity of the result.

Numbweed is always used in its salve form by Dragonhealers. It is non-addictive, and in its salve form presents no danger of overdosing. Oil should be used to protect the hands when working with Numbweed for a long time. Redwort can be used when the contact will be for a short period of time. All Healers carry it with them, and therefore no occasion should arise where a Healer would need to use the raw form of the plant. It is an external medicine only, and should only be given internally by a qualified Healer and never in its natural state. There is only one excuse for the existence of this malodorous plant, and that is the deadening of pain; therefore, its liberal use for this reason is encouraged. It takes approximately 3 secs for Numbweed to penetrate the outer layer of dragon hide and slightly longer to go through to the germative layer.

Redwort

Redwort is a small, shrublike plant which may be recognized by the reddish veins in its stem and its flat-topped reddish-purple flowers. Redwort leaves are gathered, and boiled until the tincture has been removed from the leaves, basically when the leaves turn colourless, or dull, from their normal reddish-purple hue. Leaves are strained and the resultant Redwort stored. The Redwort, in this form, is extremely concentrated and will need to be diluted with pre-boiled water before use.

Redwort has two main uses: an antiseptic wash to prevent infection, and as a defense against the effects of Numbweed. The use of Redwort leaves a red stain on the skin which resembles a very localized sunburn. All tools should be washed after use in very hot water with plenty of sweetsand, and then rinsed in Redwort before storage in a sealed container. A tool whose sterility one is not certain of should be rinsed in Redwort before use. A healer should wash his or her hands well and then apply Redwort before touching a wound. Open wounds should be rinsed well with water, bathed with Redwort, and rinsed again to remove the Redwort before Numbweed is applied, as its protective effects are undesirable in that case. Healers should take care to apply Redwort and a light coat of oil to their hands before performing arduous work, such as stitches, on a wound coated with Numbweed, and to re-apply frequently to avoid losing feeling in their hands.