Hydra Yarrow is a magical ingredient that is often viewed as a weed. It is commonly used for healing potions and general first aid. It is also known as Bloodwort or Woundwort.
Description[]
Yarrow itself is a perennial herb with long stems that can grow over 3' in height. Its leaves near the bottom are largest and are rather feathery. At the top is a branching head of tiny flowers, which in the case of Hydra Yarrow, are often golden-hued and prone to snapping at anything larger than a honeybee. The flowers lack any actual bite, however, and produce more of a tickling sensation. This stops the moment the plant is detached from its roots anywhere along the stem.
As a warning, some persons with hayfever may also be sensitive to Hydra Yarrow.
Magical Properties[]
While not all potions with these effects may use Hydra Yarrow as an ingredient, these are traits commonly ascribed to the herb:
- Wound-healing and regeneration, coagulant (do not consume if also using anticoagulant potions)
- Anti-inflammatory, cooling, astringent, and anti-septic
- Antioxidant
- Antacid
- Courage and ferocity, the herb of the warrior
- Boundaries and Protection, Armor vs sharp things
- Love and Partnership: has been used to divine future love interests
- Disperse dark magic
- Protection from Ethereal creatures
- Water/Fire polarity and harmony
A lesser known use of the stems is to dry them in straight sticks and use them for a game of Pick Up sticks!
Habitat[]
This hardy herb prefers well-drained soils with plenty of sunlight, but can be found in less than ideal conditions, even ditches! It can be found in all kinds of grasslands, meadows, fields, and open forests. Some birds will actually use yarrow, including Hydra Yarrow, to line their nests. It is suspected that the herb inhibits parasites.
How to Collect[]
Harvest the leaves and flowers while in full bloom, in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun has fully baked it. It is advised to leave the root intact in the soil, so that new stems can form from the rhizomes, though some recipes may specifically require the root. Removing the roots fully is usually difficult, anyway, since the roots can dig quite deep!
How to Prepare[]
Varies from potion to potion, though often it requires steeping in either hot or cold water to make a tea or tincture to be used as an external compress for wounds or bruises. Sometimes it is powdered or turned into a salve or an oil (1 part yarrow tops to 7 parts oil).
Fresh plant extracts are more pungent, but may mold compared to dried flowers.
Gardening[]
Hydra Yarrow is treated as an easy to grow ornamental plant in many magical gardens, and is useful at spooking off Garden Gnomes, rabbits, and deer that may attempt to feed on nearby vegetables. It is popular with butterflies. Some cultivars of Hydra Yarrow come in many ornamental colors including frosted white, pink, reds, and oranges, though the Trefoil Academy gardens tend to focus upon the standard gold hue for the herb's ties to Dragonor house.
Known potions using Hydra Yarrow[]
- Healing Potions
- Healing Salve
- Giant-Sight
- Carbonated Rage
- Arcane Rejuvenation
- ???