Post by Kaeldra on Jun 1, 2021 14:16:20 GMT
To kick off our new Information Drive Project, here's our first herb to discuss: Catmint!
Below is the information needed for our index, so if you have any thoughts on the matter please don't hesitate to add them! And if you're a bit confused as to what all this is, there's a thread about the new system here.
Description: What it looks like! Describe foliage, flowers, or general appearance characteristics that would help to identify it.
Collection: What is the best way to collect this item? Which parts are collected and how?
Preservation and Storage: What is the best way to store this item? Should it be dried in the sun, or kept in the shade? How long does it keep for?
Detailed Usage: What are the uses of this item? What injuries or illnesses does it treat, and what benefits does it have?
When: When can this item be found? What type of weather does it grow in?
Where: Where is this item most commonly found? What types of environments does it appear most frequently in?
EDIT: Adding in what we've got so far! I'll be extending this to June 15th to get a little more time in!
Below is the information needed for our index, so if you have any thoughts on the matter please don't hesitate to add them! And if you're a bit confused as to what all this is, there's a thread about the new system here.
Description: What it looks like! Describe foliage, flowers, or general appearance characteristics that would help to identify it.
Collection: What is the best way to collect this item? Which parts are collected and how?
Preservation and Storage: What is the best way to store this item? Should it be dried in the sun, or kept in the shade? How long does it keep for?
Detailed Usage: What are the uses of this item? What injuries or illnesses does it treat, and what benefits does it have?
When: When can this item be found? What type of weather does it grow in?
Where: Where is this item most commonly found? What types of environments does it appear most frequently in?
I'm hoping we should have this discussion mostly wrapped up by next week (June 8th), when we'll start on a new topic, but if we end up needing more time that's perfectly fine too~
EDIT: Adding in what we've got so far! I'll be extending this to June 15th to get a little more time in!
Description:
A green, leafy plant that grows about 2-3 tail-lengths tall. The leaves are triangular with toothed ridges, and have a soft downy texture. Once the plants bloom, they are covered in clusters of small, light purple flowers that tend to attract lots of butterflies.
Collection:
Catmint leaves are best collected in the late morning, after any dew that might cause rot has burned off but before the day is very hot. Leaves should be separated from the plant as close to the stalk as possible, taking care not to tear the leaves themselves. Flowers can be harvested with the leaves as well. It is generally good practice to harvest no more than 1/3 of the plant when collecting catmint to ensure it continues to grow for future use.
Preservation and Storage:
Leaves are most effective when fresh, but they can be dried and preserved for later as well. Leaves should ideally be kept whole, as this preserves their efficacy, and should be laid out in a dry spot out of the sun until completely dry. Once the leaves crackle when crushed, they are ready to store. Dried leaves should be kept somewhere dry and cool, and will usually remain effective for 6 moons up to a year.
Detailed Usage:
Catmint is something of a cure-all, known best for its effectiveness at eradicating whitecough and greencough. However, it can also be used for an array of other ailments. Catmint is quite effective against fevers and indigestion, and it can help uncomfortable sick cats get to sleep.
Catmint should be chewed and ingested by the patient for best results.
When:
Catmint can usually be found from mid-newleaf until leaf-fall, as it does not do well in colder weather. Leaves can be harvested from the River Moon until as late as the Rain Moon if conditions are good, though it usually dies off around the Wind Moon. Catmint flowers from around the Prey Moon until the plant dies back in leaf-fall. It does best in full sun, though it can do well in partial shade and thrives in dry or poor soil.
Where:
Catmint is generally only found in twoleg gardens, though occasionally it can spread elsewhere especially where soil is dry or gravelly and it receives lots of sun. It is a very valuable herb to have, though it can be difficult to acquire.
