Udshim

Udshim is the resin of a special species of pine tree known from a few groves in southern Andaperna. It is used as many pine resins are, as a glue, wood seal or fastening agent in colours. But Udshim is also the only pine resin, that can be used for medicinal purposes.

Udshim is milky yellow colour and hardens quickly after harvest, unless it is stored properly. Nonetheless it is difficult to transport over long distances, so two towns with Udshim production have become somewhat popular for Udshim treatments.

Udshim can be harvested in small amounts by cutting the bark of the pines producing it. These pines are called gishaggu and grow around the cities Tillutu and Dag Dumak. Since the medicinal properties of the Udshim have been discovered, people try to grow more gishaggu and have succeeded in establishing a few more groves. But these trees are difficult to nurse, so progress is slow.

Cutting the bark of the trees results in a short bleeding of relatively liquid Udshim, which is collected in glazed pottery as to not draw water from it. When the trees stop bleeding, a few drops of boilt water and clove oil are added and the container is sealed off. The udshim has to be used within a few days or else it coagulates and becomes useless. The clover oil prevents mold, which sets on in untreated udshim after just a few hours.

For use as a sealant, like normal pine resins are, udshim is treated just like every regular resin, but is used directly from the tree, without getting the clover oil treatment. It makes for a soft surface, subduing the woods natural colour and is popular for small objects of everyday use due to its pleasant tactile properties.

What makes udshim stick out from other resis though, is its use in treating inflammations of skin and mucuous membranes. Many skin conditions related to these issues can be mitigated by carefully warming the udshim over a small flame, constantly stirring it and adding water or milk. The udshim then becomes orange-ish in colour and its viscosity resembles that of cream or condensed milk. The warm udshim is then applied to the skin, left there for an extended amount of time and washed off later. The skin condition, depending on how grave it is, takes a few applications over the course of a few days to get better.

To treat inflammation of the gums, the udshim is also treated with warmth, but instead of water or milk, beeswax and a few drops of Olive oil are added. When the mix turns orange-ish, it is left to cool off and hardens into a soft dough. Pieces of this dough can be cut off and cheweg like chewing gum. It is not only a relief for inflammated gums, but also helps with bad breath and is quite tasty.