The ruby flower is a common sight to both Nelfin and Humans. It is the most elementary herb used by Yanars in the healing arts, capable of alleviating a wide variety of illnesses. The flower is a type of marigold with a deep red color, said to be blessed by the Elven nature goddess, Estel herself. Today, the flower is heavily cultivated and used by Yanar healers.
Origins
The ruby flower is native to the warm jungles of Daendroc and is commonly found all over the continent. It is an annual plant, living and dying within a year. In Daendroc, the blooms are seen constantly as new plants replace the dead. In more cooler, temperate climates, the plant grows during the spring and blooms from summer until its death in winter.
The ruby flower was originally a natural species of marigold that was said to be blessed by the nature goddess, Estel. According to legend, Estel foresaw the coming of the Cataclysm and the preceding danger to the forests of Daendroc. Knowing that disaster was imminent, she decided to give the people of Aloria a tool to help withstand all coming dangers. Estel went to a bright clearing in the forest where a cluster of marigolds grew under the sun. The nature goddess took one up, roots and all, enchanting it with healing properties and imbuing it with a deep red hue. Estel passed this first ruby marigold onto the Yanars, who spread and cultivated it heavily.
Etymology
The ruby flower derives its name from its deep red color. In common use, it is simply called “ruby”. Its full name is Estel’s Ruby Marigold, though this name is rarely used. The flower is also referred to as Estel’s Gold in reference to the flower’s value in the healing arts as well as a play on marigold, from “Mary’s Gold”. Those who speak of the flower reverently may also call it Estel’s Memento, in honor of the goddess and the parting gift she bestowed upon them.
Primary Use
The ruby flower is used as a medicinal herb. Among its various abilities, the most notable is its regenerative capabilities: the plant helps the body restore itself to a normal and healthy state. The plant’s healing capabilities are thought to contain a touch of magic as it is capable of healing any injury regardless of type. The tradeoff for such multipurpose use is that the plant is not as powerful as more specialized medicines. The plant itself does not cure major injuries and illnesses, it simply helps reduce pain and speed up recovery by boosting the body’s own healing abilities.
Simply pressing the flower against the injured area is enough to soothe pain. For more potent effects, the flower can be ground into a paste or mixed into a drink. The entire plant can be used to heal though certain parts are known to do certain things better:
The flowers are best for healing damage such as cuts and wounds.
The leaves are best for soothing aches and pains.
The stem and roots are best for alleviating poison and diseases.
The ruby flower was one of the earliest, if not the first, plants used by Yanars for healing. It is still in common use as first aid or as boosters to other medicines.
The flower’s healing powers work for all races. As it works mainly by helping the body heal itself, the flower is more effective for races with better innate healing capabilities.
The plant’s healing properties work best for minor illnesses. For more serious health problems, it can be combined with other herbs and medicines to boost the effects. It is not possible to overdose on ruby flowers as larger doses will have no further effect than a normal one.
Trivia
A common belief is that only Yanars use ruby flowers because the flower’s healing effects only work if a Yanar is using it.
The flower is bitter with a hint of a sweet aftertaste.
While the seeds of the flower are usually used for cultivating more rubies, they can be consumed for minor healing effects as well.
