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    Purple Loosestrife

    Common · Lythrum salicaria

    Healing · Alchemical · Magical · Catalytic · Defensive

    Terrain Coast, Grassland, Swamp/Marsh

    Description

    Loosestrife is a perennial herbaceous plant up to 4 feet (120 cm) tall, with straight, foursided stems and bright pink-purple spikelike inflorescences.

    Location and Habitat

    It grows along riverbanks, in wet meadows, and marshes, and is widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia.

    Rarity and Availability

    Loosestrife is quite common in nature, not considered a rare species, and easily found in its natural habitats.

    Effects and Uses

    Loosestrife possesses anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and astringent properties and is used to treat bleeding. Additionally, it enhances the healing effects of other herbs in herbal mixtures.

    Harvesting & Preparation

    • A DC 12 Wisdom (Nature) or Survival check correctly identifies Purple Loosestrife. A success also determines the best parts to harvest (stems, flowers, or root).

    Items & Effects

    • Mother’s Tear Elixir. An infusion made from the dew-like droplets collected directly from Loosestrife leaves at dawn—these drops are said to carry a protective power.
      • Creation. Requires 1 hour and a DC 13 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check. One harvest provides 1d3 doses.
      • Use (Ingested).
        • Tears of Comfort. For 1 hour, you have advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed (PHB, p. 290).
    • Loosestrife Talisman. A small bundle or cross of dried Loosestrife root, carried on one’s person.
      • Creation. Requires 2 hours of drying and binding, plus a DC 12 Wisdom (Survival) check or Wisdom (Religion) check.
      • Use (Worn).
        • Protective Aura. You have advantage on saving throws against non-magical diseases and mild curses (at GM’s discretion), reflecting the herb’s legendary warding power.
        • Rooted Confidence. Once per long rest, when you fail a saving throw against an ongoing magical effect (e.g., a persistent curse, a possession attempt), you can choose to succeed instead. Once used, the talisman’s power fades until refortified, typically another ritual or rest.
        • The dried root loses potency after 1 month.
    • Weeping Smoke. Burning crushed Loosestrife (especially the flowers) to cleanse an area or a person from evil influences.
      • Creation. Requires a DC 14 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check or Intelligence (Arcana) check; you need both dried flowers and a pinch of sweet resin or incense. One successful creation yields 2 uses.
      • Use (Burned over 10 Minutes).
        • Cleanse & Ward. You create a 15- foot-radius lightly obscured area of fragrant smoke. For up to 10 minutes, any attempt to curse, possess, or frighten creatures inside this area is made with disadvantage. The GM may adjudicate other effects as appropriate.
        • Recalming Spirits. If you’re performing a ritual (e.g., a funeral rite, consecration, exorcism), you gain advantage on Religion checks and Charisma (Persuasion) checks to interact with undead or spirits.
      • Drawback. The smoke can attract attention: any creature with keen smell (like wolves or certain monstrosities) has advantage on Perception checks to detect you while the smoke lingers.
    • Loosestrife & Nettle Poultice. A combination of Loosestrife’s healing synergy and nettle’s fortifying properties, often used on the battlefield.
      • Creation. Requires 30 minutes, a DC 12 Wisdom (Medicine) check or Wisdom (herbalism kit) check, and fresh Loosestrife plus nettle. Yields 1 poultice.
      • Use (Applied). Bolstered Healing: Placing the poultice on a wound during a short rest grants an extra 1d6 hit points regained, plus advantage on Constitution saving throws against effects that would cause you to fall unconscious due to injuries for 1 hour (PHB, p. 292).

    Lore

    The Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), also known as "weeping herb," derives its name from the Greek word lytron, meaning "shed, clotted blood." The genus consists of about 30 species. These are typically perennial herbaceous plants with an upright stem reaching up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in height and a thick woody root.

    Sometimes this herb is called "Weeping" because of its unique ability to excrete excess moisture, which the loosestrife absorbs abundantly, in the form of droplets on its leaves. These droplets resemble tears.

    There is an old legend about this plant. A mother saw her sons off to war and worried about them so much that every day she would go out to the road, hoping to see them return. Months passed with no news from her sons. Her heart was torn with anxiety; tears flowed down her cheeks and dripped onto the dusty road. An entire year went by this way. Eventually, the mother's heart could not bear the strain; she fell ill and passed away.

    From Witch’s Herbs 5E, p. 78 · Fern Flower Press