Secrets of the Clans/Medicine

:Below contains in-depth information for the Medicine chapter of Secrets of the Clans. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.
==Chapter description==
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:The narrator introduces that the Clans cannot survive without medicine cats. They not only treat the injured and sick, but their connection with StarClan also allows them to interpret visions and guide the Clans. Most medicine cats are born to their destiny, and from a young age, they are fascinated by herbs and have strange dreams. A medicine cat can recognize a kit that will make a good apprentice and brings them to the Moonstone or the Moonpool for a ceremony. Although the role of medicine cats is not easy, it is rewarding. They cannot have a mate or kits but they are respected and devote their lives for the welfare of their Clanmates and always have a special place in StarClan once they die.
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:Leafpool says that she always wanted to be a medicine cat, and had watched Cinderpelt taking care of others when she was younger. As a kit, she wanted to know how to heal and how to read signs from StarClan. She continues that she knows that medicine cats cannot have kits, and did not expect to fall in love. When Leafpool was apprenticed, Squirrelpaw was disappointed that they did not train together but still understood how important being a medicine cat was to her. When Leafpool became an apprentice, Cinderpelt took her to the Moonstone from a secret ritual, and she describes that she had never felt closer to StarClan. Leafpool continues that is another ceremony for becoming a full medicine cat, and says that not every ceremony is the same, but medicine cats are not allowed to talk about it.
:Leafpool continues that knowing all the herbs and healing the sick and injured is wonderful, but she also knows that StarClan is also depending on her to pass on their messages. Leafpool says that Mothwing is RiverClan's medicine cat, but she does not believe in StarClan. Leafpool states that for a while, StarClan had no way to communicate with Mothwing, but she now has Willowpaw as her apprentice. She continues that medicine cats get a lot of respect, but they also have many responsibilities. She says that most should not try using herbs for themselves, and kittypets have veterinarians to look after them, which are like Twoleg medicine cats. Leafpool advises to either take sick cats to her or to a veterinarian.
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:Borage leaves: They are chewed and eaten, and are distinguished by their star-shaped pink or blue flowers and hairy leaves. They are good for nursing queens and can also bring down fever.
:Burdock root: Burdock is a tall, sharp-smelling thistle with dark leaves. Their roots are dug up, cleaned, and chewed into a pulp to cure rat bite infections.
:Catmint (also known as catnip): Catmint is a delicious-smelling, leafy herb that is mostly found in Twoleg gardens and is the best cure for greencough.
:Chervil: A sweet-smelling plant with fern-like leaves and white flowers. The juice of their leaves can be used for infected wounds, and chewing the roots helps with bellyache.
:Cobweb: Spiderwebs are commonly found in the forest, and are wrapped around injuries to stop bleeding and to keep them clean.
:Coltsfoot: Flowering plants that are a bit like dandelions, and their leaves are chewed into a pulp to help shortness of breath.
:Comfrey: Comfrey has large leaves and small bell-shaped flowers that are pink, white, or purple. Its black roots can be chewed into a poultice to mend broken bones.
:Dock: Dock is similar to sorrel and its leaves are chewed up and applied to scratches.
:Dried oak leaf: They are collected in the autumn and stored in a dry place, and can treat infections.
:Feverfew: Feverfew is a small bush with daisy-like flowers, and its leaves are eaten to lower body temperature for those with fever or chills.
:Goldenrod: Goldenrod is a tall plant with yellow flowers that can be made into a poultice for wounds.
:Honey: A sweet, golden liquid made by bees that is difficult to collect, but is great for soothing infections or the throats of cats that have breathed in smoke.
:Horsetail: Horsetail is a tall, bristly plant that grows in marshy areas. A poultice of its leaves can treat infected wounds.
:Juniper berries: Juniper is a bush with spiky dark green leaves and purple berries that sooth bellyaches and help cats that have trouble breathing.
:Lavender: Lavender is a small purple flowering plant that cures fever.
:Marigold: A yellow or orange flower that grows near the ground. Their petals or leaves can be chewed into a pulp and applied to wounds to stop infection.
:Mouse bile: A bad-smelling liquid that is the only way to remove ticks.
:Poppy seed: They are shaken from dried poppies, and fed to cats to help them sleep and sooth shock and distress. However, they are not recommended for nursing queens.
:Stinging nettle: Their leaves can be applied to wounds to stop swelling, and their spiny seeds can be used on cats who have swallowed poison.
:Tansy: Tansy is a strong-smelling plant with yellow flowers. It is good for curing coughs, but must be taken in small amounts.
:Thyme: It can be eaten to calm anxiety and shock.
:Watermint: Watermint is a leafy plant found in streams or damp earth. It is chewed into a pulp and fed to cats with bellyaches.
:Wild garlic: Rolling in wild garlic can prevent infection, especially from dangerous wounds like rat bites.
:Yarrow: Yarrow is a flowering plant whose leaves can be made into a poultice and applied to wounds to expel poison.
:Deathberries: Red berries that are fatally poisonous and are not a medicine and should be avoided. Twolegs call them yew berries.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Secrets of the Clans
Category:Field Guides
Category:Chapter subpages