THE
YAHRLE
HERB
("MEADOW
HOP",
"STAUNCHWEED") |
Yahrle is a common healing herb that is also referred to as
"Meadow Hop", "Military Herb" or "Staunchweed". It is found mostly in sunny
grassy areas throughout Caelereth and is
used to treat wounds, dispel melancholy and can supposedly cure baldness and
bring about a vision of a future mate.
Appearance.
This is a common herb that stands two
palmspans and three - eight
nailsbreadths tall. The stem
is angular and rough with spear-shaped leaves
alternating laterally around it. These leaves are one
palmspan and one-seven
nailsbreadths long and three
nailsbreadths broad,
clasping the stem at the base, the segments are very finely cut, giving the
leaves a feathery appearance. The leaves and stem of the Yahrle give off a very
pungent peppery smell. It flowers from late spring to early fall, with the
blooms white or pale lilac. The petals being like minute blades, in flattened,
loose heads. The whole plant is more or less hairy, with white, silky hairs
pressed close to the stem and leaves.
Territory.
The Yahrle can be found in various places throughout
Caelereth, mostly in
sunny grassy areas like the
Aurora Fields or the
Heath of Jernais in
Santharia or the Wilshirer Heath and
Celeste Lowlands in
Northern Sarvonia. It will not
grow in deserts such as the Ráhaz-Dáth Desert
or in excessively sandy areas.
Usages.
This plant is used in the treatment of wounds, the dispelling of melancholy and
is also reputed to be a cure for baldness.
Treatment of Wounds
Healers and herbalists throughout Santharia
and amongst the human and
elven tribes of north
Sarvonia will more than likely know of and
use Yahlre in the treatment of wounds. The
Ice Tribes, including the
Remusians, and the
Ashmari are exceptions to this. In
the case of the Ice Tribes, the
Remusians and the other tribes,
instead use varro for this purpose. When using Yahlre, the whole plant is
harvested, dried and made into an ointment that is applied to a wound to stop
any bleeding.
Dispelling of Melancholy
Melancholy has been defined by the
Mindsmoothers as being a state of deep sadness and loneliness. Excessive
amounts of time spent by oneself is another indicator of melancholy. It has been
suggested by the White Nehtorian
Healers, that Black Dog, a deep melancholy brought about by the scurfy
disease, may be dispelled or reduced through the use of Yahlre. In any case, the
flower can be dried and one or two petals boiled in one or more firkins of
water. This tea is then drunk for dispelling
melancholy. If this tea is too strong a person can become violently ill.
Thaelcar, a Whitecoat from Voldar, capital of
the Province of Vardýnn in
Santharia in southern
Sarvonia has observed that if too much
Yahlre is in the tea, the patient's melancholy increases and the patient has
become violent and dangerous.
Cure
for Baldness
Finally, Yahlre has the reputation of being a preventative of baldness. For this
to work, the head of the patient needs to be washed in the Yahlre tea described
previously. This cure cannot be confirmed.
Reproduction.
There are two methods of reproduction for the Yahrle plant. The first of these
is by its creeping roots. The Yahrle's roots spread out along the ground seeking
good soil. It is believed that this is a key reason for the Yahrle being unable
to grow in deserts or sandy regions.
The second method of reproduction is through seed dispersal by birds. These
birds include the coa-coa bird, the
garthook and the
wynd racer bird.
Myth/Lore. It is said by the elves that this is one of the herbs dedicated to Coór, in earlier days, being sometimes known as "Coór's Nettle" or "Coór's Shadowing", and was used for divination in spells. It has also been used in folk superstitions. They swear, a scup of ground Yahrle sewn up in fine cloth, placed under the pillow before going to bed, brings a vision of the future husband or wife. The words used depend on the area of Santharia in which the commoners live. Centoraurian peasants around the Aurora Fields are likely to say:
"Oh
pretty herb of the meadow |
While those elsewhere, such as Erpheronian maidens around the Heath of Jemais are more likely to say the following:
THE MOON IS HIGH |
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