Medicine

A medicine cat's main job is to heal their fellow Clanmates from their wounds and sicknesses. They have many ways of doing so, mostly through herbs and berries throughout the medicine cat of their Clan's store. It has been noted by Erin Hunter that these remedies should never be used on pet cats, and that sick pets should be seen to by a vet instead.

Key
= Treatment of wounds

= Treatment of diseases

= Poison

= Other

Alder

 * In Forest of Secrets, Cinderpaw mentions to Fireheart that Yellowfang had asked her to look for alder bark. Cinderpaw is hopeful, since finding the bark while there is snow on the ground is still possible.
 * In the Bonus Scene of The Apprentice's Quest, Jayfeather is seen collecting alder bark.

Beech

 * In Thunderstar's Echo, Clover and Thistle accidentally bring Cloud Spots and Shivering Rose beech leaves, though they are actually meant to be looking for dock leaves. Thistle claims they look the same, although Shivering Rose is annoyed with this.
 * In The Sight, Spiderleg suggests that they hunt near a beech tree, since there are always beechnuts on the ground this late in leaf-bare. They go there and since prey scurrying after beechnuts under the beech tree's golden leaves.

Bindweed

 * In The Sun Trail, Dappled Pelt asks Gray Wing to find bindweed, so she can use it to bind two sticks together. The sticks and bindweed are then used to help Jagged Peak, who has taken a fall from a tree while hunting.
 * In SkyClan's Destiny, Mintpaw jokes about wrapping bindweed around the Twoleg kit's hair after Frecklepaw shows her and Sagepaw hairbands.

Birch sap

 * In Thunder and Shadow, Willowshine mentions she and Mothwing found birch sap in their territory, thinking it could be used as another cure for yellowcough for the sick ShadowClan cats.

Blackberry

 * In SkyClan's Destiny, Echosong asks Frecklepaw, her apprentice, to fetch blackberry leaves from the medicine den. Echosong crushes the leaves into a mixture, and uses them on the wounds that Leafstar obtained from being stung by bees.
 * In Code of the Clansa blackberry is used to describe the size of a kit's paws.

Borage

 * In Moth Flight's Vision, Cloud Spots tells Micah and Moth Wing that there is a patch of borage that will be purple with flowers come greenleaf. They pick off some of the leaves from the borage stems to take back to ThunderClan's camp. Cloud Spots explains that Milkweed has just had kits, and he wants to make sure that the nursing queen has enough milk to feed her newborns.
 * In Twilight, Cinderpelt gives Brightheart a small bundle of borage leaves to help bring down Mousefur's fever.
 * In The Sight, Leafpool asks Hollypaw to get borage leaves for Graystripe and Millie, but she mistakenly grabs yarrow instead.
 * In Long Shadows, Leafpool mentions to Jaypaw that ThunderClan is low on borage leaves, which can be used to bring down fevers. She also mentions that she will need to go into the forest to look for it.
 * In Sunrise, Jayfeather fetches borage leaves for Whitewing, who needs help with producing milk for Dovekit and Ivykit.
 * In Secrets of the Clans, borage leaves are mentioned to be extremely helpful when a queen's supply of milk is low. It is also mentioned to bring down fevers.

Bright-eye

 * In Mistystar's Omen, Mothwing tells Willowshine to ask Kestrelflight if Tornear's cough has cleared up, with the mixture of bright-eye and lovage that Mothwing had suggested.

Broom

 * In Forest of Secrets, Cinderpaw mentions that Yellowfang had asked her to find broom, which can still be found while there is snow on the ground.

Burdock root

 * In Secrets of the Clans, burdock root is mentioned to be a root especially good for healing rat bites, although it needs to be dug up and cleaned off before it can be used.
 * In Yellowfang's Secret, Sagewhisker asks Yellowfang to fetch burdock root to help Scorchwind's rat bite.
 * In Firestar's Quest, Petal and Echosong find a whole pile of burdock root, which they gather and bring back to their camp.
 * In Midnight, Cinderpelt questions Leafpaw about the usages of burdock root. Leafpaw explains that they are used for rat bites, especially infected ones. Leafpaw tries to communicate burdock root to her sister, Squirrelpaw, as the two sisters have a deep connection sent by StarClan. Tawnypelt is later given the mixture of burdock root, and her wound starts to heal. Midnight later applies another mixture of burdock root to Tawnypelt's wounds, and mentions that burdock root is good for many things.
 * In Moonrise, it is mentioned that Tawnypelt is recovering from her rat bite due to Midnight's collection of burdock root.

Burnet

 * In The Fourth Apprentice, burnet is revealed to be part of the mixture of traveling herbs that ThunderClan uses.

Catchweed

 * In Moth Flight's Vision, Moth Flight mentions that Cloud Spots had taught her how to use catchweed.
 * In The Sight, Mothwing recommended this herb to Jaypaw in to help stop Stormfur's poultice from getting rubbed off.

Catmint

 * In Secrets of the Clans, Cloudspots is revealed to have discovered catmint. It is also mentioned to be the best cure for whitecough and greencough.
 * In Moth Flight's Vision, Micah explains to Moth Flight what catmint is. Micah claims that he has had dreams of bringing catmint to help a sick kit. Star Flower finds this out, and pleads with Clear Sky to allow Micah to treat Tiny Branch in an attempt to save the small kit. Moth Flight later uses catmint to help cure Rocky, who has fallen ill.
 * In Bluestar's Prophecy, Featherwhisker mentions that it is better to gather catmint once the dew has burned off of the plants. This makes it easier to gather dryer sprigs so they do not rot while in the medicine cat den.
 * In Sunset, Leafpool travels to the abandoned Twoleg nest near ShadowClan territory, and returns with catmint.
 * In Long Shadows, Jaypaw finds out from Brightspirit, a StarClan cat, that WindClan has a supply of catmint. Jaypaw eventually sends Lionblaze to find it, and while he gets into a brief quarrel with Heathertail, he eventually takes the catmint and leaves.

Celandine

 * In Midnight, Cinderpelt sends Leafpaw to look for celandine. She is joined by Sorreltail, and the two ThunderClan cats meet up with a RiverClan patrol. They exchange words, and Leafpaw gives Hawkfrost and Mistyfoot some of ThunderClan's celandine to give to Mothwing.
 * In Sunrise, Littlecloud suggests to Mothwing to drip a small amount of a celandine juice into Petalkit's eye, as the kit had gotten a thorn stuck in it.

Chamomile

 * In Rising Storm, Yellowfang mentions adding chamomile to Bluestar's traveling herb mixture. Fireheart questions Yellowfang, saying that chamomile isn't one of the herbs added into the mixture. Yellowfang hushes him, saying that she wanted to give Bluestar something to heal her heart, as well as give her strength.
 * In The Fourth Apprentice, Brightheart and Jayfeather recall which traveling herbs are included in the mixture, and the two are able to successfully come up with the right mixture. Jayfeather sends Brightheart to go look for chamomile, saying that it should be on ThunderClan's territory.

Chickweed

 * In the Bonus Scene of Lost Stars, Kestrelflight explains that Jayfeather was supposed to be gathering chickweed, but instead got elder leaves.

Cob nuts

 * Cob nuts were mentioned by Snowpaw in Bluestar's Prophecy when she suggested they use some from Goosefeather's store to attract the prey out of their burrows.

Coltsfoot

 * In the Bonus Scene for Lost Stars, Jayfeather accidentally gives Finleap coltsfoot instead of watermint.

Daisy leaf

 * In Sunrise, Jayfeather brings a daisy leaf to Mousefur to smell, thinking it might be the mystery herb that Leafpool mixed in with the tansy.
 * In The Fourth Apprentice, Jayfeather gives Dustpelt some daisy leaves for his back pain.

Dandelion

 * In Squirrelflight's Hope, Moonlight says they should give the sick ThunderClan cats dandelion root, as it cures the poison of meadow saffron.

Dock/Dock leaf

 * In Thunderstar's Echo, Cloud Spots asks Thistle and Clover to hunt down dock leaves, so Shivering Rose can use them to practice what she needs to do in case her Clanmates get hurt. Thistle claims dock leaves look like beech leaves, when they mistakenly bring back beech leaves instead.
 * In Twilight, Mothwing fetches it for Tumblekit to vomit on.

Elder leaves

 * In Yellowfang's Secret, they were used when Newtspeck wrenches her shoulder.
 * In The Fourth Apprentice, Rippletail mentions them when Sedgewhisker sprains her shoulder; Mothwing taught him about it before he left.
 * In the Bonus Scene for Lost Stars, Kestrelflight explains that Jayfeather was supposed to be gathering chickweed, but instead got elder leaves.

Fennel

 * In The Forgotten Warrior, it is used during Sorreltail's kitting.

Goatweed

 * In Moth Flight's Vision, Dappled Pelt teaches Moth Flight and Micah the use of this herb. Moth Flight hopes she can find some in the WindClan territory.

Heather nectar

 * Jaypaw uses this for Squirrelflight's herbs in The Sight.

Honey

 * In Rising Storm, honey is used to sooth the throats of Willowpelt's kits when they breathe in smoke during the fire.

Juniper berries

 * This was used by Pebble Heart in Thunder Rising to help Gray Wing's breathing

Lamb's ear

 * This herb was discovered first by the Tribe cats, and then when the Clans were resting in their territory, Stoneteller tells Leafpaw about this herb.

Laurel leaf
Jayfeather uses this for a herb wrap in The Last Hope.

Lovage

 * Lovage is mentioned by Mothwing in Mistystar's Omen when she tells Willowshine to ask Kestrelflight if Tornear's cough had eased with the mix of lovage and bright-eye.

Lungwort

 * In Thunder and Shadow, ShadowClan had a huge outbreak of yellowcough. Puddleshine discovered this herb in a dream sent to him by Runningnose, and after a bit of trouble with WindClan, the herb is obtained to heal ShadowClan's ailments.

Mallow leaves

 * In The Last Hope, Mothwing tells Willowshine to fetch mallow while she talks to Jayfeather.

Marigold

 * In Firestar's Quest, this herb is used by Cinderpelt to try and heal Longtail's scratched eye.
 * In The Sun Trail, Dappled Pelt uses marigold on Jagged Peak's broken leg, to ease the pain after Dappled Pelt tries to straighten it.
 * In The Sight Hollypaw chews marigold into a poultice for Millie's infected pad.

Oak leaf

 * In Darkest Night, Alderheart mentions that oak leaf would be better for treating Sparkpelt's leg.

Poppy seeds

 * In Bluestar's Prophecy, Bluekit and Snowkit dare each other to eat poppy seeds, although neither kit knew what they were. Goosefeather confirms that they are, in fact, poppy seeds, and it will just make Snowkit sleepy.
 * In Firestar's Quest, Echosong tells Sandstorm that she is glad to know what it is for, although she was unable to find any at first. Petal then reveals that her former Twoleg owner has a garden full of poppy seeds.
 * In Into the Wild, Yellowfang asks for poppy seeds to ease the pain in her leg. Later, Spottedleaf gives Firepaw a poppy head, and tells him to shake out one or two seeds, saying to give them to Graypaw, who was still upset over the loss of Lionheart, his mentor.
 * In A Dangerous Path, Cinderpelt brings Bluestar poppy seeds to try and calm her down.
 * In Firestar's Quest, Cinderpelt brings poppy seeds to Sootpaw to try and ease him, who was still in shock after the death of his mother.
 * In Sunset, Leafpool tells Sorreltail that while she can fetch poppy seeds to help Sorreltail's pain after kitting, it would be better for her newborn kits if she didn't eat them.

Ragwort leaves



 * In Sunrise, Whitewing uses this herb to help with pain while kitting.
 * In The Fourth Apprentice, Jayfeather gives it to the elders to help them during the drought.

Ragwort

 * Ragwort was first discovered by the Tribe cats, later being told to Leafpaw by Stoneteller, when the Clans were resting in their territory.

Rosemary

 * Speckletail and Poppydawn used this herb in Bluestar's Prophecy to prepare Moonflower's body for burial.

Sweet-sedge

 * In Tallstar's Revenge it is used to help keep Hopkit's paw infection down.

Tormentil

 * It is used by the Tribe of Rushing Water, and is mentioned by Stoneteller to Jaypaw when he is taking care of Gray.

Thyme

 * In Moonrise, Mothwing gives Leafpaw and Sorreltail thyme to calm their anxiety after being chased by a WindClan patrol.

Watermint

 * In Fading Echoes, it was also used to smooth Leopardstar's pelt and hide the scent of death from it.

Wild garlic

 * In Secrets of the Clans, it is mentioned that wild garlic can be used to prevent serious infection.
 * In Yellowfang's Secret, Sagewhisker tells Yellowfang that wild garlic can be used to help with rat bites, if Yellowfang is unable to find burdock root.
 * In Into the Wild, Yellowfang suggests to Firepaw to roll in a patch of wild garlic, since that will help seep out any leftover poison from a rat bite. Yellowfang also says that while wild garlic is excellent for bites, Firepaw's denmates won't thank him for the smell. Firepaw eventually finds a patch of garlic outside of ThunderClan's camp.

Willow leaves

 * Used by Yellowfang to stop Cloudkit's vomiting in Yellowfang's Secret.

Wintergreen

 * Stoneteller mentions this herb to Jaypaw while treating Gray's wound, wondering if the Clans used it.

Yarrow

 * Yarrow is used on Sorrelkit by Cinderpelt when Darkstripe feeds her deathberries, and is also used by Mothwing to help poisoned cats when RiverClan is poisoned.
 * Yarrow is also used when Cherrypaw and Mousewhisker accidentally eat Water Hemlock, and the yarrow is swallowed by both Cherrypaw and Mousewhisker to vomit the poison.
 * Yarrow is used by Sagewhisker to cure Yellowkit and Nutkit's bellyache.
 * In The Sight, Hollypaw mistakes this herb for borage when she goes out to collect some for Millie’s infected wound.
 * Frecklewish uses it on Sparrowpelt when he accidentally ingests deathberry seeds.

Deathberries/Yew berries/Night seeds

 * Main Article: Deathberries


 * ShadowClan medicine cats use them to end a cat's life to prevent unnecessary suffering.
 * The flesh of the berry is used by Alderheart to cure Puddleshine.
 * Yellowfang uses deathberries to kill her son, Brokenstar, when he is held hostage in the ThunderClan camp in Forest of Secrets.
 * In The Raging Storm, Juniperclaw poisons SkyClan's prey with deathberries, resulting in Sparrowpelt violently being ill, and SkyClan attempting to move back to the gorge.

Foxglove seeds

 * They are often mistaken for poppy seeds because they look extremely similar. They are known to be a dangerous medicine. They are mentioned when Yellowfang scolds Cinderpelt and says that she could become a dangerous medicine cat, by confusing poppy seeds and foxglove seeds.

Holly berries

 * Holly berries, while not as dangerous as deathberries, are still a danger to kits. They make an appearance in Twilight, after Leafpool talks to Crowfeather; Sorreltail finds her hiding in a holly bush. Leafpool says she is looking for berries and Sorreltail asks if they are poisonous.

Meadow saffron

 * In Squirrelflight's Hope, Moonlight reveals that ThunderClan's sick cats may have encountered meadow saffron, noting the effects of being poisoned by it are very similar to the symptoms experienced by it.

Deadly nightshade

 * Mentioned in Forest of Secrets when Fireheart and Cinderpaw are with Cloudkit. Cloudkit almost eats some deathberries, but is quickly stopped by Cinderpaw. When Cloudkit runs off and calls them to see what he found, she jokes in response that perhaps Cloudkit found deadly nightshade.

Water hemlock

 * Water hemlock is the most poisonous plant in the Clan territories after deathberries. Water hemlock is used by Mousewhisker and Cherrypaw who mistake it for parsley, and the two collapse and start convulsing violently. Yarrow is used to help them afterward.

Trivia

 * It was revealed by Vicky that she used Culpeper's Herbal Remedies by Nicolas Culpeper to get the information for the herbs.

Notes and references
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