A medicine cat's main job is to heal their fellow Clanmates of their wounds and sicknesses. They have many ways of doing so, mostly through herbs and berries kept in the medicine cat's herb store inside their den. 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.[1]
Medicines and Herbs
Key
= Treatment of wounds = Treatment of diseases = Poison = Other
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.[3]
Has broad, shiny leaves.[6] Can have a variety of leaf colors, but typically are green, yellow,[5] or golden,[7] and can also be smaller or short. Female trees typically produce beech nuts. Bark can be thin, smooth, and gray in color.[5]
Location:
ThunderClan territory.[6] Grows well in moist, deep, and rich soil.[5]
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.[6]
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. The patrol goes there and sees prey scurrying after beechnuts under the beech tree's golden leaves.[7]
When combined with sticks, can help mend a broken leg and keep it in-place.[9]
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.[10]
Plant itself carries pinkish-white flowers, each flower has five petals and produces one fruit crop a year. Grows in sunny areas.[13] Carries a sharp scent.[14]
Location:
Almost anywhere; they are very handy plants.[source?]
Mixed into a poultice to ease the pain of bee stings.[15]
In SkyClan's Destiny, Echosong asks Frecklepaw, her apprentice, to fetch blackberry leaves from the medicine den.[16] Echosong crushes the leaves into a mixture, and uses them on the wounds that Leafstar obtained from being stung by bees.[15]
It is easily distinguished by its small blue or pink star-shaped[22] petals[21] and hairy leaves.[22] Can be distinguished by smell just as well as sight.[23] The best leaves are typically halfway up the stem, and has a zesty scent to them.[24] Leaves can be dark green[25] or gray-green in color,[21] soft,[26] and they lose their flavor when they are dried out.[21]
Location:
The lake and ridge[27] near RiverClan territory.[28] Forestland in ThunderClan territory.[23] Near ThunderClan's old camp in the forest during the early Clan days.[26]
It produces more and better milk.[29] It also brings down fevers.[30][22] Helps sooth bad bellies and relieves tight chests.[24]
In Moth Flight's Vision, Cloud Spots tells Micah and Moth Flight that there is a patch of borage that will be purple with flowers come greenleaf.[26] 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.[31]
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.[23]
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.[22]
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.[34]
The root is dug up, the soil is washed off, and then it is chewed into a pulp.[22]
Effect:
Soothes and heals rat bites[22] especially if they are infected.[40] Can give cats a bellyache if they eat too much of it.[38] Numbs rat bite to the point a cat cannot feel the pain.[41] Also good for infected paws and other sores.[42]
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.[22]
In Firestar's Quest, Petal and Echosong find a whole pile of burdock root, which they gather and bring back to their camp.[39]
In Midnight, Cinderpelt questions Leafpaw about the usages of burdock root. Leafpaw explains that they are used for rat bites, especially infected ones.[40] Leafpaw tries to communicate burdock root to her sister, Squirrelpaw, as the two sisters have a deep connection sent by StarClan.[38]Tawnypelt is later given the mixture of burdock root, and her wound starts to heal.[44]Midnight later applies another mixture of burdock root to Tawnypelt's wounds, and mentions that burdock root is good for many things.[42]
In Moonrise, it is mentioned that Tawnypelt is recovering from her rat bite due to Midnight's collection of burdock root.[45]
A leafy and delicious-smelling plant.[22] Has gray-green leaves, stem is hairy, and has purple flowers.[52] Is easily killed by frost.[53] Looks like nettles, but doesn't sting.[54]
Location:
Rarely found in the wild; mostly found in Twoleg gardens.[22] Can specifically be found in the Twolegplace near ThunderClan's forest territory.[55] Can also be found in WindClan territory by the lake.[56] Located in a Twoleg barn near WindClan's forest territory during the early days of the Clans.[57] Found in the abandoned Twoleg nest.[58] Thrives in areas with dry soil and is very tolerant of dryer conditions.[52]
Best remedy for the deadly greencough, which cats, mainly kits and elders, usually catch in the season of leaf-bare. Can also be used for whitecough.[22] Can be considered dangerous in extremely high dosages.[52]
In Secrets of the Clans, Cloud Spots is revealed to have discovered catmint.[60] It is also mentioned to be the best cure for whitecough and greencough.[22]
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.[54]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.[61] Moth Flight later uses catmint to help cure Rocky, who has fallen ill.[57]
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.[62]
In Sunset, Leafpool travels to the abandoned Twoleg nest near ShadowClan territory, and returns with catmint.[58]
In Long Shadows, Jaypaw finds out from Brightspirit, a StarClan cat, that WindClan has a supply of catmint.[63] Jaypaw eventually sends Lionblaze to find it,[64] and while he gets into a brief quarrel with Heathertail, he eventually takes the catmint and leaves.[65]
Celandine
Celandine, celandine poppy, greater celandine
Scientific name:
Stylophorum diphyllum[66] or Chelidonium majus[67]
Description:
Yellow flower with four petals. Celandine poppy have bigger petals, whereas the greater celandine are smaller.[66][67]
Location:
Grows on both ThunderClan[68] and RiverClan's territories, but possibly grows better on ThunderClan land.[69]
In Midnight, Cinderpelt sends Leafpaw to look for celandine. She is joined by Sorreltail,[68] and the two ThunderClan cats meet up with a RiverClan patrol.[71] They exchange words, and Leafpaw gives Hawkfrost and Mistyfoot some of ThunderClan's celandine to give to Mothwing.[69]
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.[70]
Strengthens the heart and soothes the mind. Also given to traveling cats for strength.[73]
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.[73]
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.[47]
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.[83]
Cobwebs
Cobwebs
Scientific name:
Scientific name
Description:
Long, thin, shiny strands spun into a web by spiders. Very common.[source?]
Roots are chewed into a poultice.[98] Can also be lined in one's nest.[99]
Effect:
Repairs broken bones[87] or soothes wounds.[100] Also used for wrenched claws.[100] Can be used for itching[101] or for inflammation on stiff joints.[102] Also eases stiffness on wrenched shoulders when lined in a nest.[99] Can be used for burns.[103]
Common yellow-flowered plant with long, hollow stems. After flowering is finished, the flower transforms a sphere made out of hundreds of smaller white florets with seed heads at the bottom that connect to the flower head.[source?]
The white liquid is thought to be applied to bee stings. Leaves can be chewed.[112] The roots can also be used to help cure the effects of meadow saffron poisoning.[113]
Effect:
Thought to soothe and heal bee stings. Its leaves can also be chewed to act like a painkiller.[112]
In Squirrelflight's Hope, Moonlight says they should give the sick ThunderClan cats dandelion root, as it cures the poison of meadow saffron.[113]
Common, large-leafed plant with a tangy smell[115] and taste.[116]
Location:
Doesn't grow well in mountains, best in leafy areas.[117]
Usage:
Chewed up and applied to scratches. Similar to sorrel.[118] Also can be put in one's nest during sleep.[119]
Effect:
Soothes scratches,[120] though can sting when being applied.[121] Soothes sore pads.[122] If placed in nests, it can ease the pain of wounds.[119] Can be used to help practice healing on Clanmates.[6]
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.[6]
In Twilight, Mothwing fetches it for Tumblekit to vomit on.[123]
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.[133]
Goldenrod
Goldenrod
Scientific name:
Solidago
Description:
A tall plant with bright, yellow flowers.[source?]
Soothes infections,[142] is a great remedy for smoke-damaged or sore throats,[141] helps cats swallow other concoctions,[140] helps soothe coughing,[138] and gives energy.[143]
In Rising Storm, honey is used to sooth the throats of Willowpelt's kits when they breathe in smoke during the fire.[141]
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.[157]
If it is mixed with bright-eye, it can help cure coughs.[34]
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.[34]
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.[162]
They can help a cat sleep,[187] soothe shock or distress,[188] or ease pain.[135] Not recommended for nursing queens.[189]
In Bluestar's Prophecy, Bluekit and Snowkit dare each other to eat poppy seeds, although neither kit knew what they were.[190] Goosefeather confirms that they are, in fact, poppy seeds, and it will just make Snowkit sleepy.[190]
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.[39]
In Into the Wild, Yellowfang asks for poppy seeds to ease the pain in her leg.[135] 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.[191]
In A Dangerous Path, Cinderpelt brings Bluestar poppy seeds to try and calm her down.[188]
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.[192]
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.[189]
Ragwort leaves
Ragwort leaves
Scientific name:
Scientific name
Description:
Tall shrub with yellow flowers. Tastes foul to cats.[193]
Location:
Almost everywhere, especially in cool areas with high rainfall.[source?]
Usage:
Crushed and chewed; mixed with juniper berries, it can help aching joints.[194]
Effect:
Treats aching joints[194] and keeps a cat's strength up.[157]
In Sunrise, Whitewing uses this herb to help with pain while kitting.[195]
In The Fourth Apprentice, Jayfeather gives it to the elders to help them during the drought.[193]
The seeds are eaten by a cat who's swallowed poison, or the leaves are chewed into a poultice for a wound.[211] The stems can also be chewed.[212]
Effect:
Induces vomiting, or brings down swelling, respectively.[211] Can be mixed with comfrey to help heal broken bones.[98] Helps with wounds.[210] Chewing the stems helps fight against infection.[212]
In The Silent Thaw, Shadowsight treats Scorchfur's bruises with nettles.[136]
Cures coughs.[220] Can be used to cure wounds and poisons.[221] Stops cats from getting greencough.[222] Soothes throats.[223] Can be extremely dangerous to pregnant cats.[224]
In Veil of Shadows, Rootpaw mistakenly guesses a set of dried tansy leaves to be comfrey.[225]
Draws out poison in rat bites.[242] Prevents infection.[22]
In Secrets of the Clans, it is mentioned that wild garlic can be used to prevent serious infection.[22]
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.[43]
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.[242] Firepaw eventually finds a patch of garlic outside of ThunderClan's camp.[241]
A flowering plant with green, jagged leaves, a tangy scent and a bitter taste.[249]
Location:
Snakerocks in the forest territories,[250] just outside the medicine den in the SkyClan Gorge territory[77]
Usage:
Its leaves are chewed into a poultice that can be given to cats or applied to a wound depending on the situation.[251]
Effect:
Extracts poison from wounds. Will make a cat vomit up toxins.[238] The ointment will soften and help heal cracked pads.[251]
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.[252]
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.[253]
Yarrow is used by Sagewhisker to cure Yellowkit and Nutkit's bellyache.[254]
In The Sight, Hollypaw mistakes this herb for borage when she goes out to collect some for Millie’s infected wound.[255]
Frecklewish uses it on Sparrowpelt when he accidentally ingests deathberry seeds. [256]
ShadowClan medicine cats use them to end a cat's life to prevent unnecessary suffering.[260]
The flesh of the berry is used by Alderheart to cure Puddleshine.[261]
Yellowfang uses deathberries to kill her son, Brokenstar, when he is held hostage in the ThunderClan camp in Forest of Secrets.[259]
In The Raging Storm, Juniperclaw poisons SkyClan's prey with deathberries,[262] resulting in Sparrowpelt violently being ill, and SkyClan attempting to move back to the gorge.
Foxglove seeds
Foxglove seeds
Scientific name:
Scientific name
Description:
Tiny, black seeds from the bell-shaped flower of the foxglove plant.[source?]
Location:
Almost everywhere, especially in temperate regions.[source?]
They can easily cause paralysis and heart failure.[263]
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.[263]
Holly berries
Holly berries
Scientific name:
Scientific name
Description:
Plant with spiny leaves that produces red berries with no medicinal value.[264]
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.[265]
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. It is not poisonous to prey, but if prey has consumed the plant, it is poisonous to the cat who eats the prey. [113]
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.[267]
Causes writhing, pain, and foaming at the mouth.[269]
Water hemlock is the most poisonous plant in the Clan territories after deathberries.[185] 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. [270]
