The Medicine Cat
Why they're important: No Clan could survive without a medicine cat's knowledge of healing herbs and compassion for the sick. In addition, these cats have a spiritual responsibility. Their unusually strong connection to StarClan allows them to receive and interpret visions that can guide the Clan through dark times. Most medicine cats are born to their destiny. From a young age, these special kits are drawn to the medicine cat den. They are fascinated by the herbs and often have strange dreams of their own. A medicine cat can spot which kit would make a good apprentice. If the kit agrees, he or she is brought to the Moonstone and initiated into the ranks of medicine cats through a secret ceremony. The life of a medicine cat is not easy, but it is very rewarding. Although medicine cats cannot have a mate or kits, they are beloved and respected by the whole Clan. They devote their lives to protecting their Clanmates in a way that ordinary warriors cannot.
(Note: When a kit becomes an apprentice medicine cat, they have a normal apprentice ceremony in the camp like the rest of the kits. The only difference is that their mentor will be the medicine cat, and their training will be different. Apprenticeship for medicine cats usually lasts much longer than those for warriors. The cat must learn about all available herbs and remedies, and the treatment of diseases and injuries. Once the Clan's medicine cat is satisfied with the apprentice's knowledge, they go to the Moonstone at the Halfmoon to meet with the medicine cats, as with any other Halfmoon. This is the only ceremony that is not performed by the Leader in the camp, other than the leader ceremony. The new medicine does not take the place of the old one, they work as a team until the old one retires or one of them passes away.)
The ceremony: Medicine Cat: "I, (
name of medicine cat), medicine cat of (
name of Clan), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He/she has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help, he/she will serve his/her Clan for many moons." -The medicine cat turns to face the apprentice- Medicine Cat: "(
name of apprentice), do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clans, and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" Apprentice: "I do." Medicine Cat: "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your true name as a medicine cat. (
name of apprentice), from this moment you will be known as (
new name). StarClan honors your (
good quality that the new medicine cat has), and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of (
name of Clan)." -The medicine cat rests his or her muzzle on the new medicine cat's head, and he or she licks their mentor on the shoulder in respect. The other medicine cats greet him or her by their new name-
Important Medicines And Their Uses
Borage Leaves: To be chewed and eaten. The plant can be distinguished by its small blue or pink star-shaped flowers and hairy leaves. Great for nursing queens as it helps increase their supply of milk. Also brings down fever.
Burdock Root: A tall-stemmed, sharp-smelling thistle with dark leaves. A medicine cat must dig up the roots, wash off the dirt, and chew them into a pulp, which can be applied to rat bites. Cures infection.
Catmint (also known as Catnip): A delicious-smelling, leafy plant that's hard to find in the wild; often found growing in Twoleg gardens. The best remedy for greencough.
Chervil: A sweet-smelling plant with large, spreading, fern-like leaves and small white flowers. The juice of the leaves can be used for infected wounds, and chewing the roots helps with bellyache.
Cobweb: Spiderwebs can be found all over the forest; be careful not to bring along the spider when you take the web! Medicine cats wrap it around an injury to soak up the blood and keep the wound clean. Stops bleeding.
Coltsfoot: A flowering plant, a bit like a dandelion, with yellow or white flowers. The leaves can be chewed into a pulp, which is eaten to help shortness of breath.
Comfrey: Identifiable by its large leaves and small bell-shaped flowers, which can be pink, white, or purple. The fat black roots of this plant can be chewed into a poultice to mend broken bones or soothe wounds.
Dock: A plant similar to sorrel. The leaf can be chewed up and applied to soothe scratches.
Dried Oak Leaf: Collected in the autumn and stored in a dry place. Stops infections.
Feverfew: A small bush with flowers like daisies. The leaves can be eaten to cool down body temperature, particularly for cats with fever or chills.
Goldenrod: A tall plant with bright yellow flowers. A poultice of this is terrific for healing wounds.
Honey: A sweet, golden liquid created by bees. Difficult to collect without getting stung, but great for soothing infections or the throats of cats who have breathed smoke.
Horsetail: A tall plant with bristly stems that grows in marshy areas. The leaves can be used to treat infected wounds. Usually chewed up and applied as a poultice.
Juniper Berries: A bush with spiky dark green leaves and purple berries. The berries soothe bellyaches and help cats who are having trouble breathing.
Lavender: A small purple flowering plant. Cures fever.
Marigold: A bright orange or yellow flower that grows low to the ground. The petals or leaves can be chewed into a pulp and applied as a poultice to wounds. Stops infection.
Mouse Bile:A bad-smelling liquid that is the only remedy for ticks. Dab a little moss soaked in bile on a tick and it'll fall right off. Wash paws thoroughly in running water afterward.
Poppy Seed: Small black seeds shaken from a dried poppy flower, these are fed to cats to help them sleep. Soothes cats suffering from shock and distress. Not recommended for nursing queens.
Stinging Nettle: The spiny green seeds can be administered to a cat who's swallowed poison, while the leaves can be applied to a wound to bring down swelling.
Tansy:A strong-smelling plant with round yellow flowers. Good for curing coughs, but must be eaten in small doses.
Thyme: This herb can be eaten to calm anxiety and frayed nerves.
Watermint: A leafy green plant found in streams or damp earth. Usually chewed into a pulp and then fed to a cat suffering bellyache.
Wild Garlic: Rolling in a patch of wild garlic can help prevent infection, especially for dangerous wounds like rat bites.
Yarrow: A flowering plant whose leaves can be made into a poultice and applied to wounds or scratches to expel poison.
NOTE:
Deathberries: Red berries that can be fatally poisonous. They are NOT a medicine. Do NOT eat or touch them.
