Featuring information on Anne McCaffrey's Pern, including Dragonhealing, Herbalry, and Dracogenetics.

DRAGONHEALING
     Introduction
     Craftstandards (12th Pass)
     Dragon Anatomy

HERBALRY ON PERN
     Introduction
     Harvesting
     Preparation
     Properties
     Common Remedies
     Tissue Damage
     Miscellaneous Remedies

DRACOGENETICS
     Introduction
     Gender
     Metallics & Rank
     Colors
     White Dragons
     Conclusions

HERALDRY
     Introduction
     Established Heraldry
     Blank Shields
     Heraldic Colors

GUESTBOOK
     Sign
     View 2001-?
     View 1999-2000
     View 1998

PERN LINKS
     Anne McCaffrey's Site
     SunCliff Weyr
     Logres Weyr

OTHER LINKS
     My Personal Site
     Sigma Psi
     CWRU
     Email Me

Preparation

1. Compresses: Also sometimes known as plasters, this is a method of applying herbs to the skin without letting them directly touch it. A moist warm mass of the herb is prepared by steeping the dried herb in warm water, or by crushing the fresh herb with a little liquid and then warming it in a bowl over a pot of boiling water. This warm mash is then sandwiched between two pieces of thin cloth, and applied to the affected area of the body.

2. Clarifying: Clarification is the process of clarifying a substance after processing. In the case of honey, syrups, etc, this is done by melting the substance and then skimming or filtering through a suitable material.

    

3. Decoctions: This is the less used form of herbal tea and is a method of preparing roots and stems. About a teaspoonful of herb is added to one and a half cups of boiling water; this is then simmered for around 20 minutes, by which time the liquid will have reduced by a third. As with infusions, decoctions are best drunk after a meal, but can be taken at any time.

4. Drying: When sunlight is unavailable, there are 3 ways to indoor drying:

   • Plants are placed on a screen made by stretching a light material over a frame and securing it, then placing it in a well ventilated room.

   • Plants can be spread out on a warm, dry shelf. They must be turned frequently and kept at 65-70 degrees.

   • Plant can be tied in small bunches, head down, in a dry room. Make sure they cannot get wet or they mildew! You can protect them with a 'sleeve' of muslin. After dried, all herbs can be stored in water tight containers such as jars with tight fitting lids.

5. Electuaries: These are prepared by mixing bitter-tasting herbs with something more palatable such as ambersap, and are the best way of encouraging children to take medicine.

6. Filtration: Filtration is the process by which liquids are separated from substances mechanically suspended in them. The easiest method is by using filter paper.

7. Fomentations: This is another method of applying herbs to the skin; an infusion or decoction of the required herb is prepared, or else juice can be used; a cloth is dipped in this and then laid directly on the affected area.

8. Infusions: An infusion is the more common form of herbal tea, used for leaves and flowers. About a teaspoonful of the herb - generally dried - is steeped in a cupful of boiling water for around 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the strength of infusion required. Sweetening can be added to taste. Infusions are often drunk after meals, except where intended to stimulate the appetite, but can be taken at any time. For best results in long-term treatment, the infusion should be taken three times a day.

9. Liniments: This is a general term used for oils and tinctures and other preparations that involve steeping the herb in liquid (oil, vinegar, alcohol) for at least several days. Liniments are then rubbed onto the skin, for reasons as diverse as improving circulation or easing rashes, depending on the herb they are made from.

10. Oils: These are prepared by packing as much herb as possible into a small jar preferably of dark glass, and then completely covering the herb with oil. This jar should be kept in a cool dark place for around a month, by which time the oil will have darkened in colour and the herb be infused into the oil. This preparation can be used externally and stroked or massaged onto the skin; it is a good way of preparing rubifacents such as cayenne.

11. Percolation: Percolation is the most perfect method of obtaining the soluble parts of remedies. It consists of allowing menstruum to trickle slowly through a column of material.

12. Pills: These are a good way of storing herbs that need to be dispensed over a period of time. The herb should made up with one part powdered slippery elm to nine parts powdered herb. Enough water is added to make a dough, then small pills can be formed and left in a warm place to dry out.

13. Poultices: Poultices are used in the case when herbs can be applied directly to the skin (if this is not possible, as with open wounds, then a compress is used). A moist warm mass of herb is prepared either by steeping the dried herb in warm water, or by crushing the fresh herb in a little liquid and warming it in a bowl placed over a pot of boiling water; the herbs are then placed directly on the affected area and can be bandaged on temporarily if required.

14. Powdering: Comminution is the reduction of herbs to small particles. Herbs must first be thoroughly dried, then crushed to a fine powder with a mortar and pestle.

15. Salves/ointments: These are made by preparing an oil and then adding warm melted fat of a kind that is solid at room temperature. Alternatively, the ground or pulped herb (as in the case of numbweed) can be added to oil and then mixed in with the fat. The resulting concoction should be put in an airtight jar and left to cool before use.

16. Syrups: Syrups are prepared by adding a handful of herbs to 4 cups of water, and allowing to simmer down to half the quantity. The mixture should then be strained and ambersap added whilst still warm to give the right consistency. The syrups can then be bottled - their shelf-life depends on the herb used.

17. Teas: There are two forms of herbal tea: infusions, which are used to prepare leaves and flowers; and decoctions which are used for roots, bark and stems.

18. Tinctures: These are made by steeping the herbs in neat alcohol. The bottle should be shaken daily for two sevendays, then any solids should be strained out. Water can be added to tinctures to dilute them, as in the case of hamamelis.