[h2]Herblore of the forest of Drea[/h2]
[i]Compiled by Master-Healer Thengu in conversation with Witch-Mother Nili[/i]

[h3]Author's Introduction[/h3]

Praise be to Drea, she of the thousand leaves! It is with extreme humility and satisfaction that I present this work to our beloved Chief Wangat in the hope that practitioners and students of the art of herbology will find it useful. This compendium would not have been possible without the patient assistance of the blessed Witch-Mother Nili. Over several years, she shared with me some of her secrets regarding the herbs and plants of the forest and gave me leave to put them to leaf. I stood on her shoulder to see far. May you, the reader, see further. 

A word of warning to the uninitiated: Several of the herbs mentioned in this work have a lot of visual similarities with several other herbs and takes a trained eye to spot the difference. A simple mistake can result in death. At least.

NOTE: Wherever possible, I have included the names of herbs in the Common Tongue. Since the Witch-Mother was not a speaker of that language, inaccuracies are possible.

[h3]Herbary[/h3]

[b]Asfodel[/b] (Silver Sage)

I start with the most popular herb. Asfodel is usually found in the drier regions of the forest and is instantly recognizable by its bright silver leaves shaped like teardrops. It is a general purpose herb with decent healing properties. Dried asfodel, when sprinkled on boiling water, generates fumes that are strong but not unpleasant. This is a common cure for a blocked or a runny nose and soothes the nerves.

[b]Amaril[/b] (Crow's Foot)

Amaril is usually found growing near the roots of the giant kapok tree. The leaves are dark green and shaped like the crow's feet. Dried and powdered, it is a good remedy for nausea and light headedness. Pregnant women are often asked to drink Amaril Dust Tea by the witches.

[b]Bibak[/b] (Queenberry)

In the wild, it is quite rare to come upon the bibak. They are very sensitive to the nature of water in the soil and will only grow near the mouths of rivers and springs. When mature, they sprout yellow-colored berries. In the rare event that you stumble upon one, you should immediately consume the berries or preserve them in honey instantly upon picking. The bibak has some amazing properties. It greatly reduces fatigue, invigorates the mind and body and numbs pain. For these reasons, it has been rightly called the Queenberry.

[b]Chukchak[/b] (Sukak)

This is perhaps a true native to the land of the Dryads. It can be readily found in the vicinity of the village and is even more common in damp areas near water bodies. The chukchak can be identified easily when it flowers. The flowers are an ashen white color and have five petals. The fat pollen from the flower is very sweet and we Dryads have long since perfected the art of making sugar from it.

[b]Dreabas[/b] (Dragon's Tongue)

The word Dreabas means Drea's Lips and the plant is one of the rarest in the forests of Drea. It usually inhabits dank places, like swamps and caves, and needs very little light. When fully mature, the plant will put out thin long red flowers with no petals. The stem of the Dreabas is a wonderful antidote when used rightly. While cutting the stem, care must be taken to avoid ones where the sap has curdled. This can be potentially lethal.

[b]Findril[/b] (Smokeleaf)

Ah Findril! Many a night have I smoked you in peace! Findril grows in the warmer and drier regions of the forest, but can be grown in the area near the village as well, as I have proven. It has large, broad leaves that have been dried and smoked for generations. While it has no apparent healing or magical benefits (unlike the potent Nimrodel which gives one visions), the smoking of Findril leaves one feeling calm. Dependence on Findril has been noted, and it is habit forming.

(Will update this regularly with new herbs and plants - Incanus)