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.[1]
Medicines and Herbs
Key
= Treatment of wounds
= Treatment of diseases
= Poison
= Other
Alder Bark
Beech Leaves
File:Beech Leaves.jpg
None
Large, broad leaves that can be serrated, entire or sparsely toothed.
Grows in almost any soil that is not waterlogged.
By ThunderClan medicine cats for carrying other herbs.[3]
Bindweed
None
Arrow-head shaped leaves with pale white or pink trumpet shaped flowers.
Grows almost anywhere.
Fastens sticks to broken legs to keep them in place.[4]
Blackberry Leaves
File:Blackberry Leaves.jpg
None
Leaves from the prickly blackberry bush.
Almost anywhere; they are very hardy plants.
These leaves are chewed into a pulp.[5]
Borage Leaves
File:Borage Leaves.jpg
None
It is easily distinguished by its small blue or pink star-shaped flowers and hairy leaves.
Grows best in forests.[6]
It is chewed and eaten by nursing queens .[7]
Broom
File:Broom.jpg
None
Shrubs with small leaves and small yellow flowers.
Grows in ThunderClan's old territory.[2]
It is used to make poultices for broken legs and wounds.[2]
Burdock Root
File:Burdock Root.jpg
None
Tall-stemmed thistle with a sharp smell and dark leaves.
Best in dry areas.[8]
The root is dug up, the soil is washed off, and then it is chewed into a pulp.[7]
Burnet
File:Burnet.jpg
None
Has oval-shaped leaves with serrated edges. Stems grow 50-200cm tall, with large clusters of small flower buds on top.
Usually found in dry, grassy meadows.
A traveling herb.[10]
Catchweed
File:Catchweed.jpg
None
A plant with fuzzy green balls on long stems.[11]
It is common in hedges and other low, shrubby vegetation.
The burrs are put on the pelt where poultices are.[11]
Catmint/Catnip
It is best to collect late in the day, as the dew will have burned off (evaporated) so it won't rot in the store.[13]
Celandine
File:Celandine.jpg
None
Yellow flower with four petals.
Grows better on ThunderClan's territory, though it also grows on RiverClan's territory.[14]
Juice is trickled into the eye.[15]
Chamomile
None
A small, white flower with a large, yellow center.
Can be found in Twoleg gardens.[10]
Eaten.[10]
Chervil
File:Chervil.jpg
None
A sweet-smelling plant with large, leafy, fern-like leaves and small white flowers.[7] The roots are described as being knobby and brown.[16]
In the Forest Territories, it was found at Snakerocks .[17]
Chewed to extract the juice of the leaves or the root.[7]
Chickweed
None
Tall-stemmed plant with fat, almond-shaped leaves.
In the Forest Territories, it grew near Sunningrocks .[18]
Eaten, such as catmint/catnip.
Cob Nuts
File:Hazelnuts.jpg
None
A smooth brown nut with a hard outside shell. A type of hazelnut.
In, under or near hazel trees that grow in sunny spots.
Made into ointments.[19]
Cobwebs
File:Cobwebs.png
None
Long, thin, shiny strands spun into a web by spiders. Very common.
All around the forest.[20]
Press over wound.[21]
File:Coltsfoot.jpg
None
A flowering plant with yellow or white flowers resembling dandelions. Grows best in newleaf.[22]
Grows by a waterfall in RiverClan's forest territory.[23] It also grows well in ShadowClan's lake territory.[24]
Leaves chewed into a pulp.[25]
Comfrey Root
File:Comfrey.jpg
None
It has large leaves, small bell-shaped flowers, which are pink, white, or purple, and fat, black roots. Tangy smell.[26]
Damp, grassy places.
Roots are chewed into a poultice.[27]
Daisy Leaf
File:Daisy.jpg
None
Thick, dark green, oval shaped leaves.
Almost everywhere.
Chewed into a paste.[28]
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.[29] Also, in The Fourth Apprentice , Jayfeather gives Dustpelt some daisy leaves for his back pain.[30]
Dandelion
File:Dandelion.jpg
None
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.
Almost everywhere.
The white liquid is thought to be applied to bee stings. Leaves can be chewed.[31]
Dock
File:Dock Leaf.jpg
None
Common, large-leafed plant with a tangy smell[32] and taste.[33]
Doesn't grow well in mountains, best in leafy areas.[34]
Chewed up and applied to scratches. Similar to sorrel.[35]
In Twilight , Mothwing fetched it for Tumblekit to vomit on.[36]
Fennel
File:Fennel.jpg
None
Thin, spiky leaves.[16]
Found in numerous places, especially on dry soils near the sea/coast and on riverbanks.
Stalks are broken and juice is squeezed into the receiver's mouth.[37]
Feverfew
File:Feverfew.jpg
None
Small bush with flowers resembling daisies. Has a sharp tangy smell and small soft leaves.[38]
Grows best along the water.[39]
Eaten.[40]
Goldenrod
None
A tall plant with bright, yellow flowers.
Grows well on the WindClan moors.[41]
Chewed into a poultice.[42]
Heather Nectar
File:Heather.jpg
None
Nectar found in bell-shaped flowers.
Best grown in shady areas.[43]
Included in herbal mixtures.[44]
*Jaypaw uses this for Squirrelflight's herbs in The Sight.
Honey
File:Honey.jpg
None
A sweet, golden-coloured liquid made by bees.[45]
In honeycombs or bees nests up in trees.[45]
Eaten, or given by moss soaked in it.[46]
Horsetail
File:Horsetail.jpg
None
A tall, bristly-stemmed plant, referred to with fleshy stalks.[47]
Any marshy area.[48]
Chewed to a poultice, and applied to wounds.[40]
Ivy Leaf
Juniper Berries
Lamb's Ear
*This herb was discovered first by the Tribe cats, and then when the Clans were resting in their territory, Stoneteller told Leafpaw about this herb.[54]
Lavender
File:Lavender.jpg
None
A small purple flowering plant.
Grown in Twoleg gardens. Can also be found in sunny spots with sandy or gravelly soil.
Placed under a cats nose and is to be inhaled constantly. Or rubbed/placed on an animals body to hide the scent of death.
Mallow Leaves
File:Mallow Leaves.jpg
None
Large fuzzy three-nubbed leaves from a flowering shrub; sweet rose scent.[55]
Grows best near shore,[56] but best collected at sunhigh, when they are dry.[57]
Eaten.[58]
Marigold
None
A low-growing flower; yellow to bright orange.
Near water.[59]
Petals or leaves chewed in a poultice.[40] Juice can be used as well.[60]
Mint
File:Mint.jpg
None
Downy, serrated leaves ranging from green to purple and yellow in color. Flowers are small and white or purple in color.
Patch beside ThunderClan nursery in the Forest Territories.[62]
Rubbed on a dead body.[63]
Mouse Bile
Extracted from the mouse. The only remedy for ticks, mouse bile is foul smelling, and is stored in moss. When dabbed on a tick, the tick falls off. Smell can be masked by wild garlic, or by washing paws in running water. If accidentally swallowed, can leave a horrible taste in mouth for days. Medicine cats always have to remember to wash their paws in a body of water, such as a creek or stream, after using mouse bile.[40]
Oak Leaf
File:Oak Leaf.jpg
None
Round, cartoon-like ruffled leaves.
All over the forest floor and collected in leaf-fall.[40]
The dried leaves are to be stored in a dry location until the time of usage, when they are chewed into a thick poultice and spread on a wound.[40]
Parsley
File:Parsley.jpg
None
A long-stemmed plant with ragged-edged crinkly leaves, Sharp scent, tastes cold and fresh, tastes the same fresh or dried.[64]
Grows best in moist, well drained soil, with full sun.
Eaten.[65]
Poppy Seeds
Ragwort Leaves
None
Tall shrub with yellow flowers. Tastes foul to cats.[68]
Almost everywhere, especially in cool areas with high rainfall.
Crushed and chewed; mixed with juniper berries , it can help aching joints.[69]
Ragweed
None
Ragged-leaved plant resembling a fern.
Thought to be commonly found in the mountains.
Thought to give cats extra strength.
Ragweed was first discovered by the Tribe cats, later being told to Leafpool by Stoneteller, when the Clans were resting in their territory.[54]
Raspberry Leaves
None
Soft to the touch, but with jagged edges.[71]
Found on raspberry bushes.
It could be a painkiller, or help stop bleeding during kitting.[72]
Rosemary
File:Rosemary.jpg
None
Tall with needle-like leaves and purple flowers.
Near the ThunderClan warriors' den in the forest territory.[63]
Put on the pelt of a dead cat to prepare for burial.[63]
Rush
None
It has long narrow leaves and lavender-colored head stalks.
Often grows in infertile soils in a wide range of moisture conditions.
Used to bind broken bones.[73]
Snakeroot
File:Snakeroot.png
None
The best remedy for poison, especially snake bites.
Grows mainly in warmer areas, however some grow in cooler areas.
Thought to be applied to wounds.
Sorrel
None
Similar to dock , sorrel is used as a traveling herb.[74]
Can be found near Twoleg nests.[10]
Eaten.[10]
Sticks
File:Stick.png
None
Thin wooden protrusions that grow on and fall from trees.[75]
Can be found anywhere there are trees.[75]
Cats in pain bite it when other medicine is either unavailable or not recommended.[75] Also used to help broken legs heal.[76]
Stinging Nettle
None
It has green, spiny seeds.[77]
All over the forest.[78]
The seeds are eaten by a cat who's swallowed poison, or the leaves are chewed into a poultice for a wound.[79]
Sweet-Sedge
None
Thick green stem with long buds at the top.
Grows all through leaf-bare.[80] Most common around the RiverClan camp.[80]
One must swallow the sap.[81]
Tansy
None
The tansy plant has round, yellow leaves, and has a very sweet and strong scent, making it good for disguising a cat's scent.[83]
Found in the forest and near Twoleg places.[84]
To be consumed, but only in small doses.[79]
Tormentil
None
It has a strong, aromatic scent to it and a sharp taste.
Found in most cool or cold areas, but other types may be found in gardens.
Chewed and put on the wound.[85]
Thyme
None
Small, delicate, thick, sticky leaves with a fresh tang.[87]
Best in hot, sunny locations.
Leaves can be chewed on.[88]
Traveling Herbs
Traveling Herbs consists of sorrel, daisy, chamomile and burnet. Used to give a cat more energy and strength, and it keeps the cat from getting hungry for a long time.[74]
Watermint
None
A green, leafy plant.
Usually found in streams or damp earth.[89]
It is usually chewed into a pulp, and then eaten.[90]
Wild Garlic
None
Due to its strong smell, it is good for hiding the scent of a certain Clan, and disguising cats on raids.[91]
Not far from the forest entrance in the ThunderClan camp.[92]
One must roll in it.[92]
Willow Bark
None
Bark of the willow tree.
Grows near Twoleg places.[93]
Unknown.
Willow Leaves
Wintergreen
None
Easily identifiable by its red berries.
Oak-pine woods and sandy habitats to sub-alpine places.
Unknown.
Stoneteller mentioned it to Jaypaw while treating Gray's wound, wondering if the Clans used it.[85]
Yarrow
File:Common Yarrow.png
None
A flowering plant.
Snakerocks , in the Forest Territories.[95]
Its leaves are chewed into a poultice that can be given to cats or applied to a wound depending on the situation.[96]
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.[98]
Poisons
Deathberries/Yew berries/Night Seeds
Main Article: Deathberries
None
Red berries from the dark-leaved, poisonous yew bush.
The ravine in the ThunderClan forest territory
Sometimes used to kill other cats by making them eat the berry.[100]
ShadowClan medicine cats use them to end a cat's life to prevent unnecessary suffering.[101]
Foxglove Seeds
None
Tiny, black seeds from the bell-shaped flower of the foxglove plant.
Almost everywhere, especially in temperate regions.
They are used to treat the heart[102]
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, "You're a dangerous medicine cat! You could kill a cat by confusing foxglove seeds and poppy seeds!" .[102]
Holly Berries
None
Plant with spiny leaves that produces red berries with no medicinal value.[103]
Forests.
Unknown
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, "Aren't they poisonous?" .[104]
Deadly Nightshade
None
A small shrub with faintly scented, bell-shaped flowers that are purple tinged with green in colour. Berries are shiny and black when ripe.
Moist, shady places. Often grows in places where the soils are rich in limestone.
To kill a cat who cannot be saved quickly.
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 "Maybe it's deadly nightshade this time" .[105]
Water Hemlock
None
Green or white flowers with petals in umbrella-shaped clusters
Wet, marshy areas.
Unknown
Water Hemlock is the most poisonous plant in the Clan territories after deathberries.[106] 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. [107]
Trivia
See Also
Medicine Cat
Diseases and Injuries
References and Citations
↑ Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 4
↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Revealed in Forest of Secrets , page 84
↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy , page 406
↑ Revealed in The Sun Trail , page 274
↑ Revealed in SkyClan's Destiny , page 411
↑ Revealed in Long Shadows , page 23
↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans , page 134
↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest , page 448
↑ Revealed in Moonrise , pages 129-130
↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Revealed in The Fourth Apprentice , page 110
↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Revealed in The Sight , page 277
↑ Revealed in Long Shadows , page 21
↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy , page 220,221
↑ Revealed in Midnight , page 217
↑ Revealed in Sunrise , page 240
↑ 16.0 16.1 Revealed in The Forgotten Warrior , page 143
↑ Revealed in Midnight , page 109
↑ Revealed in Moonrise , page 200
↑ 19.0 19.1 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy , page 144
↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path , page 220
↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path , page 225
↑ Revealed in Starlight , page 40
↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise , page 132
↑ Revealed in Fading Echoes , page 192
↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise , page 27
↑ Revealed in The Sight , page 93
↑ Revealed in Eclipse , page 80
↑ Revealed in Sunrise , page 102
↑ Revealed in Sunrise , page 189
↑ Revealed in The Fourth Apprentice , page 189
↑ Revealed in Twilight , page 214
↑ Revealed in The Sight , page 63
↑ Revealed in The Sight , page 68
↑ Revealed in Outcast , page 259
↑ Revealed in The Sight , page 64
↑ Revealed in Twilight , page 160
↑ 37.0 37.1 Revealed in The Forgotten Warrior , page 144
↑ Revealed in Dark River , page 152
↑ Revealed in The Fourth Apprentice , page 25
↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 40.4 40.5 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans , page 135
↑ Revealed in Twilight , page 120
↑ 42.0 42.1 Revealed in Into the Wild , page 104
↑ Revealed in Dark River , pages 41-42
↑ Revealed in The Sight , page 47
↑ 45.0 45.1 Revealed in Eclipse , page 44
↑ Revealed in Rising Storm , page 267
↑ Revealed in Twilight , page 118
↑ Revealed in Starlight , page 168
↑ Revealed in Eclipse , page 54
↑ Revealed in Night Whispers , page 273
↑ 51.0 51.1 Revealed in Starlight , page 42
↑ Revealed in Twilight , page 159
↑ Revealed in Dawn , page 305
↑ 54.0 54.1 Revealed in Dawn , page 304
↑ Revealed in Dark River , page 61
↑ Revealed in Dark River , page 50
↑ Revealed in Dark River , page 58
↑ Revealed in Dark River , pages 146-147
↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest , page 36
↑ Revealed in Night Whispers , page 60
↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest , page 35
↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy , pages 139-140
↑ 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy , page 140
↑ Revealed in Sunrise , page 244
↑ Revealed in Sunrise , page 245
↑ Revealed in The Sight , page 49
↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest , page 98
↑ 68.0 68.1 Revealed in The Fourth Apprentice , page 26
↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets , page 157
↑ Revealed in Sunrise , page 185
↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy , page 256
↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy , page 325
↑ Revealed in Dark River , page 107
↑ 74.0 74.1 Revealed in Into the Wild , page 110
↑ 75.0 75.1 75.2 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise , page 7
↑ Revealed in The Sun Trail , chapter 22
↑ Revealed in Twilight , page 40
↑ Revealed in Night Whispers , page 143
↑ 79.0 79.1 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans , page 136
↑ 80.0 80.1 Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge , page 461
↑ Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge , page 470
↑ Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge , page 472
↑ Revealed in Dark River , page 195
↑ Revealed in Long Shadows , page 249
↑ 85.0 85.1 Revealed in Outcast , page 267
↑ Revealed in Outcast , pages 267-268
↑ Revealed in Midnight , page 280
↑ Revealed in Moonrise , page 207
↑ Revealed in Starlight , pages 41-42
↑ 90.0 90.1 Revealed in Fading Echoes , page 11
↑ Revealed in Into the Wild , page 207
↑ 92.0 92.1 Revealed in Into the Wild , page 206
↑ Revealed in Sunrise , page 268
↑ 94.0 94.1 Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret , page 233
↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets , page 219
↑ Revealed in Sunset , page 247
↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour , page 89
↑ Revealed in The Forgotten Warrior , page 235
↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret , pages 25-26
↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour , page 115
↑ Revealed in Eclipse , pages 55-56
↑ 102.0 102.1 Revealed in Rising Storm , page 29
↑ Revealed in Eclipse , page 110
↑ Revealed in Starlight , page 50
↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets , page 87
↑ Revealed in The Forgotten Warrior , page 234
↑ Revealed in The Forgotten Warrior , page 236
↑ Revealed in Erin Hunter Answers Your Questions Summer 2011