Nettleheart

Known Region

This shrub's range is from the lowlands of Granemire and the hollows of the Blackfen Marshes. This particular plant prefers stagnant waters where it can drink to its heart's content and its roots can spread deeply in the silt. It is often said amongst the locals of those regions that wherever the Nettleheart grows, spirits of sorrow often linger there. Nettleheart is a small shrub that barely ever grows past a person's knee. It has dark purple, heart shaped and serrated leaves that sting when touched without gloves. There are silvery veins that run along the top of the leaves that pulse slightly in the moonlight.

Properties

Generally, the sap-like substance that comes from the plant itself when cut is used for numbing pain of the topical variety. However, a salve can be made out of the fresh leaves themselves. Over usage can often cause the user to become apathetic and spiritually disconnected. Taken in large doses in conjunction with addiction, it can numb the heart and cause it to relax so much it doesn't realize it's pumping too hard.

..As An Alchemy Ingredient

Is able to be used in tinctures and elixirs to dull emotions to help those with grief, battles and amputations. Drying the roots, grinding them and adding them to potions can quell berserker rage. As previously mentioned, the leaves themselves can be made into a salve that can decrease the pain of things topically. Or ingested to reduce pain and fever.

Gathering and Preparation Instructions

Gloves and long sleeves are recommended when harvesting this plant to avoid any contact with it's nettles. To prepare leaves for use, one must gently wave the leaves individually over a flame to singe the nettles on the leaves. Roots can either be dried or boiled to reveal the purple core of them, this is what you will preserve and store.