Post by §Tiger on Apr 27, 2014 17:02:05 GMT
Even the most experienced medicine cats need to refer to a reference sheet every once and awhile, so why not have one?
Herbs
Goldenrod leaves: Used to heal scratches (rubbed in wound)
Ragwort: Used for Strength (eaten)
^ Ragwort Leaves + Juniper berries: cures aching joints (crushed together, eaten)
Lamb's Ear Leaves: Used for Strength (eaten)
Marigold: Prevents Infection (rubbed in wounds)
Goldenrod flowers: Used to keep out infection (rubbed in wound)
Chamomile: Calms and soothes (eaten)
Poppy Seeds: Used for dreamless sleep, cures pains (eaten*)
Catnip: Cures Whitecough** (eaten)
Yarrow leaves: cures scratched pads (rubbed on paws)
Lavendar leaves: cures chills (eaten)
Yarrow roots: induces vomiting, cures poisoning (eaten)
Juniper Berries: cures coughs, bellyaches (eaten)
Borage Leaves: cures fever (eaten)
Feverfew: cures fevers and chills (eaten)
Coltsfoot Leaves: cures coughs (eaten)
Tansy Leaves: cures minor coughs (eaten)
Wild Garlic: cures rat bites (rolled in)
Burdock Root: cures rat bites (rubbed in wounds)
Horsetail leaves: Prevent Infections (rubbed in wounds)
Alder Bark: cures toothaches (chewed slowly)
Broom Leaves: helps heal broken bones (crushed, rubbed in wounds and wrapped around break.)
Chervil Root: cures bellyaches (eaten)
Chervil Leaves: Cleans out infection (crushed, juice is added into wound)
Other
Cobwebs: used to cover wounds, stop bleeding (cover wounds)
Mouse Bile: used to remove fleas/ticks (cover flea/tick***)
Honey: Soothes sore throats, especially for kits (eaten)
*'s
* : Do not eat more than two at a time
** : Whitecough is less severe than Greencough, which cannot be cured with herbs.
*** : Do not get in mouth. Wash paws in stream after.
Poisons
DO NOT EAT!!!
Yew: Also called Deathberries, bright red. Can kill a small cat instantly.
Nightshade: Leaves and berries are deadly, kills quickly.
Healing techniques:
How to Stop Heavy Bleeding: First the area that is bleeding must be cleaned of all large objects, such as twigs and leaves. Then cobwebs must be pressed heavily against the bleeding area. Pressure must be applied and kept on the wound until it stops bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, ease pressure gradually and apply any herbs necessary for fighting infection or healing the wound efficiently. Then apply more cobwebs and have injured cat rest for a day or more.
Making a sick cat comfortable: Ill or Injured cats must be taken care of very carefully. Always make sure that the bedding they lay on is dry and free of sharp stones or sticks. Bedding should be moss or soft pine needles, and should be changed daily. Be sure that the cat is out of the line of harsh sunlight, rain, and snow fall. Injured and ill cats are extremely sensitive to noise, so keep the worst cases far back in the den to avoid any disturbances. Moss soaked in water should be offered twice daily to cats who can drink.
Feeding a sick cat: If a cat is only injured, they should be able to eat for themselves. Bring one piece of fresh-kill daily to all injured cats. Cats who are ill may have more trouble. Cats who cannot keep down food should not be fed. They will need to be carefully monitored for signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Cats who can eat should be given only small, easy eaten pieces of fresh-kill. This includes mice, voles, and fish. Rabbits are too large, and birds must be de-feathered carefully. Small pieces are the key to a sucessful feeding. Do not let sick cats over eat, as it will make them sicker.
Treating an unknown illness: Cats who are found to have an unknown illness must be immediantly quarentined from the population. Only the medicine cat may see them. All others must be kept away until the cat is declared safe again. The same care must be given to the cats as normal ill cats, and treatments that may promise to heal must be tried. If the case becomes severe, it may serve well to meet with other medicine cat to discuss the problem.
Helpful Hints
Storing herbs in Winter: Storing herbs in winter can often be quite difficult. Herbs will spoil quickly after being gathered unless dryed. While drying is possible in the seasons of leaf-green, green-leaf, and leaf-fall, it is rarely an option in leaf-bare. A recommended technique is pressing. This methods works only with large, leafy herbs. Take a flay roak and place it near the den. Place the herb on the rock and place another flat rock onto that. The herb will soon be flat and dry. Herbs that cannot be dryed or pressed should be stored immediantly after gathering. Dig a hole inside of your den. Line the hole with dry leaves and twigs. Then place all herbs into the hole and cover with snow. The herbs will keep for several moons.
Organising your den: Organization is very important. An unorganized den may lead to a cat's death. All herbs should be contained in special hollows in the dirt at the den's entrence. These hollows should be scooped shaped, and lay close to the entrence and off to the side. The main den area should be covered with a layer of dry moss. The moss must be changed every three days to ensure comfort and cleanliness. A flat stone should be placed near the herb hollows for easy grinding acess. Keep the rock cleared off and do not pile herbs or prey onto the rock. Be sure to leave a clear path through the den so cats can move freely withour stepping on the injured or ill.
Dealing with multiple wounded at one time: Often, after a battle or skirmish, many cats will be wounded at once. It is important to prioritize the wounded quickly and efficiently. First, check to see if any very young or very old cats were injured. Tend to these cats first. Then go and tend to the heavily bleeding or bitten. These must be treated quickly to prevent infection. Next comes any cat whose paws or eyes were injured. Finally, all minor injuries can be dealt with as necessary. Move any seriously wounded cats to the den for observation and special care
Special thanks to This Site for providing all of the information on this thread