I admit that at times I use artistic license, such as inventing poisons, but we are Tolkien's universe and not our own. I am aware that some of the situations in “Burden of Guilt” are medically implausible and hope to one day revise the story. The kind of memory loss experienced by Aragorn in “Shadows of Memory” is also unlikely outside fictional drama, but might be explained by Aragorn’s unusual ancestry.
I believe that the people of Númenorean descent were fitter and stronger than ordinary people today, and therefore could survive some injuries that an ordinary person would not. I see them as having thicker sculls, stronger bones and faster recovery times.
I believe that Aragorn had extraordinary healing powers, which were innate, but nurtured by Elrond, and skills he learned both from the Elves and during his travels, which made him an exceptional healer.
Thus he (Aragorn) became at last the most hardy of living Men, skilled in their crafts and lore, and was yet more than they; for he was elven-wise, and there was a light in his eyes that when they were kindled few could endure. - Tolkien
Many of his powers defy conventional explanation and most closely resemble those used by spiritual healers today, though far stronger. Therefore, if Aragorn treats a patient, they have a vastly improved chance of survival, as he can somehow pour his own strength into them.
Honey - This has been used since ancient times but has recently aroused new interest, when it was found to combat MRSA antibiotic resistant infections.
These articles explain the research in detail.
http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2001/nov
http://islamic-world.net/sister/h15.h
http:www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2001/w
Hawthorn - A traditional remedy to strengthen the the heart, which has recently attracted renewed interest as a remedy for high blood pressure
"Hawthorn is traditionally known for its strong and powerful effect on the circulatory system, particularly the heart. It has been used for centuries with great success, especially in Europe. Even today it remains a favorite among herbalists as a cardiac tonic. Hawthorn is valued for nourishing blood pressure and circulation. When used on a regular, long-term basis hawthorn exerts a continued protection to the cardiovascular system."
http://www.all-natural.com/herbguid.htm
Dandelion - Widely used in herbal medicine to treat fluid retention and liver problems.
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/m
Poppy Juice is opium, used to treat severe pain as morphine.It is highly addictive if wrongly used and abused by addicts as heroin.
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/m
Hypericum or St.John's Wort is a popular herbal remedy for depression.In Germany,it is often prescribed by doctors instead of medicines like "Prozac". It can also be used as an ointment to treat bruises.
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/m
Comfrey has been used to treat sprains, fractures and joint problems for at least 3,000 years.
http://wv.essortment.com/comfreyointmen
Calendula or Marigold has traditionally been used as an antisptic cream to promote the healing of wounds.
http://www.alternative-medicine-info.co
Garlic has been used for thousands of years and was popular with the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.
It is a powerful natural antibiotic and anti- bacterial agent.It is also used to treat high cholesterol and blood pressure.
In folklore it is used for keeping vampires at bay !
http://www.garlic.mistral.co.uk/
http://www.garlic-central.com/
Rosehips are a valuable source of Vitamin C which fights infection and promotes healing.
Botanical Com http://www.botanical.com/ is a great source of information about the traditional uses of herbs.
Touch
This is an insightful article from Daily OM,this time from January 17th 2008, which could well apply to Aragorn's healing methods.
Healing Our Bodies
Touch
Sometimes we might concentrate so much on our spiritual lives that we overlook the wonders of being present in our physical form. When we are more aware of the fact that our bodies are also important in terms of our personal growth, we may find it easier to nurture them. One of the most powerful ways to do this is through human touch, for a loving, comforting touch allows us to access the part of ourselves that yearns for a sense of oneness with the world around us. Even simple forms of touch connect us not just to our bodies but also to the energetic presence of other people.
There are so many ways to incorporate touch in our daily lives, one of the easiest being a heartfelt embrace. Just making a point to hug someone on a daily basis and really feel our energy pass between each other can strengthen the bonds that keep us together. Hugs help us heal any hurt or upset we may have recently experienced by letting us release into the moment of the embrace and realize that no matter what happens to us, we have someone in our lives who supports and cares for us.
Another nourishing form of touch is massage. While we may think of massage as a luxury, it is actually an ancient form of healing that enables us to open up our energetic pathways in order to receive unlimited energy from the universe. It doesn’t matter whether a simple massage comes from a loved one or a massage therapist, but by giving ourselves the gift of massage every once in a while, we are doing something healthy and beneficial for our bodies. Massage helps our bodies activate their own restorative powers, creating a wonderful way to engage fully in our own healing.
Letting ourselves take advantage of the healing nature of touch creates space where we can truly live in and experience the world through our bodies, allowing us to completely immerse ourselves in the loving sense of joy and wonder that is our life.
You can find Daily OM at
http://www.dailyom.com/cgi-bin/browse/browse.cgi
Thought Bonding
The "Thought Bonding" I use in my stories was inspired by the Vulcan "Mind Meld" used in "Star Trek".
http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Vul
I have also incorporated elements of the spontaneous telepathy that can occur between close friends and relatives.
In my stories, it can only occur between two people who love each other and are in harmony.It is initiated by touching foreheads together, but once a close bond is formed, contact is not always needed to share a telepathic link.
The idea came to me from reading about the Numenorian and Elven enhanced mental abilities .
When Aragorn heals Faramir, he has his hand on his head,as if attempting to somehow communicate with him.
Now Aragorn knelt beside Faramir, and held a hand upon his brow. And those that watched felt that some great struggle was going on. For Aragorn’s face grew grey with weariness; and ever and anon he called the name of Faramir, but each time more faintly to their hearing, as if Aragorn himself was removed from them, and walked afar in some dark vale, calling for one that was lost.
Arwen is able to watch over Aragorn from afar in thought.
Arwen remained in Rivendell, and when Aragorn was abroad, from afar she watched over him in thought;
Aragorn's Ordeal and its after effects in "Web of Treason
When I wrote about how Aragorn is effected by the cruel torture he undergoes in "Web of Treason" and "A time to Reap" I used information supplied by the following organisations who do valuable work to help real life torture survivors.
The Medical Foundation
http://www.torturecare.org.uk/
Amnesty International
http://www.amnesty.org/
You can support Amnesty's work for free by clicking the button on this page each day.
http://stopviolence.care2.com/
I quote here from "The Physicians for Human Rights " Website
http://www.phrusa.org/research/tort
"Victims often suffer from psychological symptoms such as lack of sleep, nightmares, problems with concentration, anxiety, depression, irritability, adjustment disorders, impotence, and feelings of powerlessness, shame and guilt."
and the website of "Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Committee"
http://www.kurdistan.org/you-can-en
"The psychological effects of torture often include: recurrent nightmares, the inability to sleep or fear of sleep, flashbacks, chronic anxiety, feelings of betrayal and the inability to trust any other person. These psycho- logical consequences are likely to have devastating, long-term effects not only on survivors but their families, friends, and communities as well."
Faramir's feelings in Burden of Guilt
Faramir is suffering from clinical depression for much of "Burden of Guilt"
.An unusually sad mood that does not go away
Loss of enjoyment and interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
- Tiredness and lack of energy
Loss of confidence in themselves or poor self-esteem
- Feeling guilty when they are not at fault
- Wishing they were dead
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Moving more slowly or, sometimes becoming agitated and unable to settle
- Having sleeping difficulties or, sometimes, sleeping too much
- Loss of interest in food or, sometimes eating too much. Changes in eating habits may lead to either loss of weight or putting on weight.
Taken from http://bluepages.anu.edu.au/symptoms/diagnosis/
Faramir's reactions to the fear what Mahrod may have done to him, also form a thread in the story.
Below is a link to a site for victims of sexual abuse
Please note,the content is unsuitable for children.