Medicine Cat's Guide

[Sparkstar]

Important Herbs and Plants
Poppy seeds - used to numb pain and make a cat very sleepy
Cobwebs - used to stop bleeding
Feverfew - used to cool feverish cats and treat head pain
Borage leaves - used to treat fevers and helps nursing mothers with their milk supply
Marigold - used to treat infection and heal wounds and sores
Horsetail - used to treat infected wounds
Burdock root - used to treat infections, especially rat bites
Chervil (root) - used to treat infections
Elderberry - strengthens immune system
Wild garlic - rolling in this can help to keep out infection
Coltsfoot - used to treat kittencough
Catnip (also called catmint) - used to treat whitecough and greencough; can help to relax a cat
Chickweed - used to help treat greencough
Tansy - used to treat coughs
Thyme - used to calm a cat
Chamomile - used to calm a cat
Dandelion (leaves) - used to calm a cat
Juniper berries - used to treat bellyache
Chervil - used to treat bellyache
Watermint - used to treat bellyache
Daisy leaves - used to treat aching joints
Goldenrod - used in a poultice to treat aching joints and stiffness; can also be used for severe injuries.
Ragwort leaves - used alongside juniper berries in a poultice to treat aching joints
Comfrey - used to treat broken bones
Nettle (leaves) - used to treat swelling
Celadine - used to treat ailments of the eyes
Snakeroot - used to counter poison
Nettle (seeds) - used to counter poison
Honey - used to treat sore throats
Mouse bile - used to remove ticks from a cat's coat
Yarrow - used to make a cat vomit and expel poisons from the body

Other Plants
Dock leaves - used to make a cat's coat slippery; also can be used as a surface for vomiting.
Deathberries (yew)- of no medicinal value; bright scarlet berries that can kill a cat if they are not expelled quickly enough; use yarrow (called night-seeds by the Tribe)
Nightshade - of no medicinal value; is poisonous
Holly (berries) - of no medicinal value; poisonous like deathberries


Sickness and Ailments

Cough - a sickness that is like a human cold. Symptoms are just coughs and sneezes, though it can be dangerous to kits or young cats.
Best Treatment: Tansy

Greencough - a sickness similar to pneumonia that is often rampant among the Clans in leaf-bare. Symptoms include wheezing, pus excreted from the eyes, fever, and green phlegm streaming from the nose and mouth.
Best Treatment: Catmint and feverfew

Whitecough - a mild sickness like a cold. More common than greencough, but can become greencough or even the fatal blackcough. Symptoms include sneezing and white phlem streaming from the nose, and a slightly high temperature.This is similar to kittencough, which is the least harmful of all coughs and is mostly caught by kits.
Best Treatment: Catmint

Blackcough - a fatal sickness that spells certain death for any cat who catches it. Symptoms are unknown, but the "black" might be blood.
Best Treatment: None

Chill - a very mild ailment usually caused by very cold weather or falling into icy water. Much like whitecough, but with cold chills.
Best Treament: Catmint

Cracked pads - a painful ailment usually seen in elderly cats. The pawpads crack from cold or dryness, and if untreated can lead to infection. Symptoms include swelling of the paws and pain.
Best Treatment: Marigold and yarrow, and poppy seed if there is pain

Aching joints - basically arthritis in cats. Caused by age or damp weather. Symptoms include pain and stiffness.
Best Treatment: Anything that cures pain

Bleeding - blood loss due to injury, such as a wound sustained in battle. Severity depends on injury.
Best Treatment: Cobwebs pressed onto the wound

Poisoning - The case of eating Deathberries or other kinds of harmful things.
Best treatment: Yarrow; makes them throw up the harmful things they have eaten.

~Thanks to Rowanstar at Courage of the Clans! www.clancourage.proboards79.com

Thanks to Jadestar at Forest of Warriors!

The Medicine Cats' special codeword is tansy

[Sparkstar]

here is more of it, thanks to Tiger at Dawn of Dreams!

Here is a detailed description of herbs and a Medicine Cat's life
Cobwebs - Used to stop bleeding
Poppy seeds - Eases physical or emotional pain, helps cats sleep
Burdock root - Used for infections, especially rat bites
Mouse bile - Used to removes ticks and other parasites from a cat's coat
Catnip - Used to ease pain and help to cure Greencough
Thyme - Used to ease anxieties
Honey - Used to sooth irritated throats and other things
Marigold - Used to heals wounds and sores
Chamomile - Used to relax
Comfrey - Used to help cure for broken bones
Nettle - Leaves are used on rashes and fever
Yarrow - Used to expel poison from a cat's system
Feverfew - Used to reduce head pain
Snakeroot - Used to counter poison
Chervil root - Used to cure bellyache
Juniper berries - Used to cure bellyache
Watermint - Used to cure bellyache
Dock leaves - Used to make fur slippery when stuck in a tight space
Deathberries - Bright scarlet berries that can easily kill a cat

Medicine Cats & the Warrior Code
Medicine cats often do not have to fully obey the traditional warrior code. Because of their close connection with StarClan, these special healing cats often hold different allegiances and ideals than most normal cats. Medicine cats may freely cross Clan boundaries if they are going to or coming from the Moonstone. All clan members respect and trust medicine cats. Medicine cats accompany their leaders to the Moonstone when they receive their 9 lives (on occasion, they may not) or need to commune with StarClan. Medicine cats are respected by all the forest cats, regardless of their clans.

Medicine Cats must also adhere to different rules than normal clan cats. They cannot have kits. They cannot take a mate. Medicine cats are expected to try and resolve all conflicts peacefully before resorting to violence. They are expected never to create false dreams or lie about what messages StarClan have shared with them.

Medicine Cat Apprentices
Unlike normal apprentices, Medicine cat apprentices are not appointed by the clan's leader, although some agreement from the leader is essential. The current medicine cat must choose a cat who is willing to become a medicine cat and take them to Moonstone. StarClan must then approve or disapprove of the choice. Apprentices to medicine cats are expected to learn all the different herbs and their applications before they can become full medicine cats. A medicine cat apprentice does not receive his or her full name until StarClan decides it is deserved.

Apprentices are usually mild mannered and relatively quiet, but this is not a requirement. They are expected to keep secret anything they learn from StarClan until otherwise instructed by their mentor.

Medicine Cats and StarClan
Medicine cats share a unique bond with the cats of StarClan. They travel to the Moonstone to share dreams with the warrior ancestors and sometimes receive prophetic dreams about the future. Medicine cats travel to the moonstone for a variety of reasons:

*Accompany a leader to receive their 9 lives
*Initiate a new apprentice
*Initiate a new Medicine Cat
*During the half moon to share dreams

StarClan can also speak with medicine cats through regular dreams, though this usually


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, eases pains - both physical and emotional (eaten*)
Catnip: Cures Whitecough and eases Greencough (eaten)
Yarrow leaves: cures scratched pads (rubbed on paws)
Lavender 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)
Comfrey: Used to help cure broken bones (crushed and eaten)
Nettle: Leaves are used on rashes (put into a pulp and rubbed on the area)
Thyme: Used to ease shock and anxieties (eaten)
Snakeroot: Used to counter poison (eaten)
Watermint: Used to cure bellyaches (eaten)

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)
Dock Leaves: pulp is rubbed on fur when stuck in a tight space

Poisons
DO NOT EAT!!!

Yew: Also called Deathberries, bright red. Can kill a small cat instantly.
Nightshade: Leaves and berries are deadly, kills quickly.


*'s
* : Do not eat more than two at a time
*** : Do not get in mouth. Wash paws in stream after


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 successful 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 immediately quarantined 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 cats 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 dried. 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 flat rock 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 dried or pressed should be stored immediately 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.

Organizing 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 entrance. These hollows should be scooped shaped, and lay close to the entrance 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 access. 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 without 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