Good people, just indulge me for a moment. I don't often do this sort of thing, but you could say that sometimes even I get a bit shaken up. But I just gotta ask, and you people have to confirm this little thing for me, okay?
Please tell me you don't believe the Erins about their herbal medicine in Warriors. Please.
I know most of my watchers seem to see the Erins for what they are (charlatans when it comes to cats, to say the least) but I only exist in one corner of the fandom. Like, I know my page/art/opinions doesn't really appeal to the hardcore canon-lovers of this fandom. And a good majority are young kids too, too-young yet to be properly critical of their reading material.
I guess you could say I was just stricken by the irrational fear that some people actually believe in the herbal remedies they use in Warriors. Maybe some of the more impressionable might even use said remedies.
I beg you don't.
Let me show you an example, a pretty recent one:
Lungwort.
A recent herb addition to the Warriors universe, used to cure the vaguely termed "yellow-cough" in the newest series, more specifically in Thunder and Shadow. It is chewed and eaten.
First of all, and almost unrelated, but lungwort is NOT endemic to the American continent (which, considering the recent appearances of raccoons and god knows what else, would be where the story has "migrated to" these last years)
But secondly, and decidedly most important, I made one simple google search of the plant, and I found this;
"Are Lungworts Toxic?
The leaves, stems and blooms of lungworts contain several toxic chemicals, including saponins and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids and saponins are classified by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as toxic to both cats and dogs. These chemicals can cause a variety of symptoms when ingested including liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea, problems walking, lethargy, neurological issues and a lack of appetite."- homeguides.sfgate.com/pulmonar…
One simple google search. Didn't have to type more than "lungwort cat" to find this. Their lack of research is frightening. Maybe if the books weren't aimed towards kids I wouldn't be so shocked - but I am, I can't help it. I know they had that "disclaimer" in one of the field guides some years back, but... honestly shouldn't that disclaimer be present in every book, perhaps on the last page or something?? At least??
