Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Side sim: Herbal Remedies

Posted by Lieutenant Tandra Mika (Chief Mental Health Officer) in Side sim: Herbal Remedies

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Side sim: Herbal Remedies
Posted by… suppressed (43) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Mika sat in her office, during a rare moment of downtime, catching up on recently published medical articles. There had been a decent amount of development in the medical world since the last time she’d had time to read.

But it was a smaller article that caught her eye: A Cure for Sepsis: Herbs. Mika had always loved herbal and survival medicine, and so reading through the article was quite interesting for her. An injection of a plant derived substance known to sometimes show improved outcomes in sepsis cases. That was so cool to her.

Intrigued and a little excited, Mika loaded the article onto a PaDD and exited her office, heading for the medical wing. Upon arriving at the right office, she knocked on the door of Doctor Fayth’s office, not wanting to interrupt, PaDD in hand.

~ Mika

Sharah was going through the latest supply requests. Star Fleet still provided a great deal of the medical supplies for the colony, but the move to more independence meant that she and Helaky were constantly having to look at what they could get where. There was a new pharmaceutical research company that had come to Oed that had met some of that need. This particular set of requests were giving her a headache and when the knock sounded Sharah muttered happily, “Oh there is a god.”

She hit the control on her desk and the door opened. She looked up, “Mika! Come in! Save me from this.”

Sharah

Mika laughed as she went into the office. “Save you? What horrors do the day have in store for you this time?” She asked as she came in, picked a spot to sit, and sat down. “I have something to show you. I think you’ll like it as much as I did.”

~ Mika, CNS

Sharah waved at the various PaDDs on her desk and sighed, “Supply requests.” She turned off her console and got up, rolling her shoulders and stretching her neck. She went and sat on the couch. “Oh I am sure I will, as long as it is not another supply request.” Sharah laughed. “What is it?”

Sharah

“No supply requests,” Mika said, grinning. She opened the PaDD and set it in front of Sharah. “A plant with studies showing some improvement in sepsis cases!” She said and then let Sharah read. “Not effective enough to be any sort of use in a modern medicine environment but definitely something to add to the list of medicinal herbs!”

~ Mika, CNS

Sharah read over the article. The longer she read the more excited her expression became. “Oh yes we will have to add this. If we ha e any around I can do a chemical break down of it and add it to my program. We should check the seed stores in the science complex.”

Sharah

Mika nodded, “We should! Then we can grow it.” She took the PaDD back when Sharah was done with it. Then she grinned, a little mischievously. “Do you have time for a little break? Maybe we can go now? Or are you drowning in supply requests?”

~ Mika

It was so tempting. “Give me 45 minutes to finish this and then I have hours.” This was really exciting and Sharah wanted to look into it, but she had to finish these requests on time. “I hate administration. It gives me a headache.” Sharah stood, “Meet me out front in 45?”

Sharah

Mika nodded. “Sure.” She left Sharah’s office and for 45 minutes did her own work, getting as much done as she could to justify taking off to do this plant thing. When it was time, she went out front and waited for Sharah.

~ Mika

Forty-five minutes later, Sharah walked up beside Mika with a conspiratorial grin. “Come on, before someone needs one of us.” She headed back towards the Fleet complex and then turned down a side road that would lead to the science facilities. It was a well known route, but one she had not taken in a long time. “You know we might be able to plant some in the central courtyard at the hospital as well. As long as it’s not too finicky. It’s mostly volunteers and patients that work out there.”

Sharah

“We’ll have to see,” Mika replied. “I’m not sure how finicky it is.” She followed Sharah down the road toward the science facilities. “What else is planted in the central courtyard?”

~ Mika

“Ivy, hydrangeas, leola root, sand piper, vanisious, cactus, snake leaf, Alvera trees, andorian tuber roots, Bajoran lilacs. A little of everything.” Sharah paused for traffic before continuing on. “There was no real plan in place and it sort of went wild, got very over grown. It was forgotten about.” She grinned, “And you know me, I can’t leave plants alone.”

Sharah

Mika nodded. “Of course not.” She smiled, “I think ‘a little of everything’ is the best way to do it. Especially here. The plants really add something to the courtyard, I think.” She commented.

~ Mika

“Everyone seems to enjoy it. It gives the patients some natural space to visit. I know there is Sloan Square, but sometimes it is just too busy, too overwhelming for some. Plus we can control the types of plants they are exposed to.” The facility doors opened at their approach. Sharah walked up to the desk.

Mika nodded. “That makes sense. Sloan square is really busy sometimes.”

“Dr. Fayth,” the security Lt behind the desk sounded surprised. “We haven’t seen you in awhile.”

Sharah placed her palm on the biometric scanner. “Hello Grishna. I know it has been awhile.” It had been and for good reason. She gave the Lt a smile though. “The hospital has kept me very busy.” He nodded in understanding and looked at Mika. “Grishna, this is Lt Mika, our chief counselor. She and I are headed to the seed stores.”

Mika smiled at the lieutenant politely. “Hello.”

Grishna chuckled, but Sharah could tell he was wondering if she was there to see anyone else. The Lt looked at Mika, “Lt, if you would scan in and then you two can head back.”

Mika copied what she’d seen Sharah do and placed her palm on the biometric scanner. Once she’d scanned in and been given the ‘okay’, she smiled again at the lieutenant. “Thanks.”

“Lift 4 is down for maintenance today.” Sharah nodded, “Thank you, Grishna.” She waited for Mika and then headed down the right hand corridor.

Sharah

Mika followed Sharah down the corridor. “So, they keep plant seeds here? For terraforming, or…?”

~ Mika

Sharah made her way along toward a lift at the end of the hall. “That is some of it. Star Fleet sciences helped head up a lot of the environmental work before Oed was able to create and support its own terraforming department. So the seeds are part of that, but also for the farming initiatives. Originally there were 2 domes. One for the city and the second was all made into farm land. And of course they are there for whatever experiments and studies the botanists and ecologists are doing.” She pressed the call button and waited for the lift.

Sharah

Mika nodded. “And both domes were removed? So can the farm land expand outward now?” She asked curiously. When the lift arrived and the doors opened, she stepped on after Sharah.

~ Mika

“Subfloor A.” Sharah nodded, “They were. Just like the city the farm land is expanding. The problem is the soil outside the dome areas is still barren. They are having to work and heal the spil before they can grow things.” The lift stopped and Sharah stepped off and down the hall, turning left before a door. She pressed her palm to the scanner and the door unlocked.

Mika nodded. “Spread nutrients and things into the dirt.” She said as she followed Shadah down the hall and then through the door. “Then just rotate crops, like medieval farmers.”

“I imagine that is the plan.” Sharah shrugged. “There isn’t even microbacteria in the soil so there is a lot of prep work that has to be done.”

Inside were drawer upon drawer, cabinet after cabinet all filled with seeds, pods, pits, and such. “Let’s see, that was an article from Earth, right?”

Sharah

“Whoa.” There were a lot of seeds, and other things, here. A lot. Mika nodded to answer the questions. “A plant of Chinese origin, if that helps.”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded and turned and headed down a row toward the back. “Earth samples are all the way back here. They are sorted by planet of origin and then by region within the cabinets. Let’s see…” She ran a finger across the labels on the doors searching for China. She pressed her palm to the lock and opened the door to the floor to ceiling cabinet. “Here we go.”

Sharah

Mika looked into the cabinet. “Are they alphabetical?” She asked as she began looking for the right one. She found it after a few moments of looking. “Here it is!”

~ Mika

“Ah!” Sharah almost clapped. She loved her pet project. “Alright let’s take one packet. The botany lab is on the main floor, attached to a green house. We can get supplies there.” Sharah waited for Mika to remove the seeds and then she locked the cabinet back and the door behind them as they left the storage room.

Sharah

Mika grinned and took out one packet, then closed the door and let Sharah lock it. Then she followed her out, holding the seed packet carefully. “Perfect. We want to be careful growing it so we don’t kill it. Then we can get seeds from a mature plant if we need more.”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded and then stopped suddenly. “Oh shoot! Be right back. I forgot to fill out the log.” She jogged back to the storage room and went inside. She was back a minute later. “My mind must be elsewhere.” She pressed the button for the lift and they went back to the main floor. Sharah led the way down a hall going further into the complex. Several of officers they passed spoke to her, most mentioned how long it had been since they had seen her. Those that didn’t say, were still thinking it. It made Sharah uncomfortable. But soon they were stepping into the botany lab. The lab lead spoke to them a minute. A friendly older man who talked nonstop about his plants. He thought of them more as children and Sharah adored him. “Well doc you know where everything is, help yourself. Nice to meet you, Lt Mika.” He trundle off to his work station.

Sharah

Mika waited for Sharah to go back and do the log, then followed her into the lift and down to the ground floor. She noticed Sharah’s discomfort as several of the officers mentioned how long it had been since they’d seen her. “Has it been a while since you came here?” She asked as they walked.

Sharah nodded, eyes on the floor for a moment as they walked. She took a very deep breath, tried to let it out slowly, but it came out in a rush. “I haven’t been here since… well since Markus. This is his space, his domain. I didn’t want to intrude. It seemed for the best. I … I really don’t,” Sharah shrugged obviously feeling uncomfortable. The roundabout way she was taking to the lab indictaed as much, trying to avoid people. “The benefits of studying this plant are to great to ignore the study. And the potential benefits for the colony…”

Mika nodded. “We’ll be fast. But… You know, you can’t avoid the entire science section forever.” She said, giving Sharah a look.

Sharah forced a smile. “I know. It’s not like I have much cause to be over here anyway. The hospital keeps me busy, and even with just the Star Fleet contingent, I am swamped. It is all I can do to find time to actually see patients, much less indulge in my botany studies.” Sharah would avoid it as much as possible. It felt wrong being here. Like a street urchin sneaking into a rich house but would never belong there.

Mika seemed to like talking to the lab lead that loved all the plants. When he let them on their way she smiled at him, “You too, Lieutenant.” Then she moved on with Sharah. “So, what do we need?”

~ Mika

“Seed starter cups, soil, and water. I’ll look up the soil specifications and mix up a plant food supplement.” Sharah walked over to a lab table that had all the necessary tools and supplies on shelves and in cabinets near by. Sharah logged into the terminal and pulled up the specifications.

Sharah

Mika was quickly able to find the supplies. The lab was well organized. She picked up three seed cups, enough soil to fill all three, and some water. When she had everything, she went over to Sharah to see if she had the information from the system.

~ Mika

Sharah was studying the screen and mixing different compounds into three containers. “This will allow us enough for each seed for a month.” It took her several more minutes to get the mixtures finished. “There. So one spray every two days for the seeds and then once a day once sprouted until they reach 3 inches in height.” She read off the screen. She turned to Mika. “Alright let’s get them planted.” Sharah took a cup and some of the soil.

Sharah

Mika took a cup and set soil into it, smiling. “It’s been forever since I planted anything, especially a seed.” She commented. “One spray every two days till it sprouts and then once every day till it’s 3 inches tall, got it.” She said, repeating it to make sure she’d remember.

~ Mika

“That is what the file says.” Sharah poured soil in and then poked holes with her finger and set the seeds inside. Then she lightly covered it with dirt added enough water to be slightly moist and then sprayed the food on the soil. “I have plenty of pots and soil at home and the garden at the hospital has supplies too. So we shouldn’t need to take anything else.”

Sharah

Mika put the seeds in her pot and covered them gently with dirt, adding the water and then the food. Then she smiled at it and danced it around the table a little bit. “Okay, little seedling, let’s get you home so you can groooow in my windoooow,” she said, drawing out the words cutely, like she was talking to a baby or a pet. Then she giggled and looked at Sharah. “Right. We just needed the seeds and the food from here, other gardening supplies should be easy to get elsewhere.”

~ Mika

Sharah was quiet, her hands cupped and domed over the small cup. Her eyes were closed. She was feeling the tenor and essence of this particular seed. Getting a feel for its personality and song. She glanced up at Mika and grinned. “Let’s get them home and we can watch them grow up.” Mika’s enthusiasm went unnoticed by the lab staff, but that was because they were all the same with their plants. Sharah took the different compounds she had used and put them away, and sanitized the work area. She logged the used supplies and then logged out of the system. “Alright little ones, let’s go.”

The head Lt spoke to then before they left, informing Mika he expected her to come back regularly.

Sharah

Mika picked up her seed cup, helped Sharah clean up after them and sanitize, then followed Sharah out. When the head lieutenant mentioned coming back, Mika smiled widely, “Of course I will!” Then she looked at Sharah, and then the lieutenant again and smiled, “We both will, we love plants.”

~ Mika

Sharah was glad to see Mika in better spirits and having fun. She nodded to the Lt. “You may never get her out of here.” She led the way back towards the main entrance so they could sign out. The security Lt grinned at the little pots. “What are you growing this time, Doc?”

Sharah

Mika grinned at that. “Don’t worry, I don’t take much space,” she joked. Then she followed Sharah back out. At the security officer’s question, Mika smiled, more than happy to go on about their little project. By the time they were signed out she’d explained about the Chinese plant and the article that showed positive results in sepsis cases, and then for good measure, explained both its needs to grow and how to harvest it for use.

~ Mika

The Lt. listened attentively. He was used to the science officers going on about their work. He learned a lot by listening to them and their work was fascinating. “Sounds like something that could do the colony and hospital a lot of good. Dr Fayth it was good to see you again. Mika will we see you again, I hope?”

Sharah

“You will. Promise,” Mika said and smiled. “It might do the hospital good but the way the study’s results are… I’d use it as a supplement. It won’t do enough good without advanced medicine to back it up.” She grinned then, “I bet it’d be decent if you had nothing else though.”

~ Mika

Sharah nodded, “In a pinch and in the outlying areas it would help until medical can get there. You know,” she turned to look at Mika, “it might be that we could concentrate it, and see how effective it is then. It might be more effective that way, even rival more modern medicine. That happens sometimes.” Sharah waved bye to the guard who was laughing softly as they discussed the possibilities as they left.

“We’d need a medical research and development lab,” Mika commented. “if it helps with sepsis, that’s infection that’s reached the bloodstream, it may have antibiotic qualities. Something else to look into.”

“Well there is a small lab in the complex infirmary, but it isn’t set up for that kind of study, but the hospital has the necessary facilities. Anything antibiotic is good. Natural antibiotics tend to work slower but have less side effects. Bacteria don’t tend to become resistant either. It will be awhile before we will have enough to really test that. Oh! Maybe we can request some full grown plants from Earth with the supply requests.”

Mika nodded, “That’s a good idea. I want in on the study. I know I’m not working as a doctor right now, but…” She looked at Sharah, “You know how I love herbal meds.” And survival med. It had been her favorite holodeck hobby. Running scenarios.

“Well, of course,” Sharah grinned. “This will be our study. Just like I am not working science anymore, I can still do research in botany. You know we could even look at natural remedies for stress and anxiety. The doctor I served under on Europa swore that there was a tea for every ailment. He tried several with me.” She hadn’t thought about Zarith in awhile, but she had really enjoyed working and learning under him.

“We should!” Mika smiled. “I have my fair share of teas… I just don’t go recommending them to patients. No scientific backing.”

“There are studies about it. Some are just old. We can retry them and see what modern results show.”

“That sounds like fun. I hope we find something!” Mika said.

Once outside Sharah relaxed noticeably. “Okay, you want to take yours to your quarters first or back to your office? Where to?”

Sharah

Mika grinned ever so slightly as Sharah relaxed. She was really avoiding that place. “Back to my quarters. I don’t want it to get damaged or mistakenly moved out of the sunlight in my quarters.” Mika replied.

~ Mika

Sharah pointed and led the way back toward Fleet housing. They couldn’t see it for the buildings around, but it was very close by. “That sounds like a good idea. I will take the other two home, but when ready I will plant one in the garden at the hospital.”

Sharah

“Perfect. I’m going to have to make a nice garden box to transplant it to when it’s bigger. Maybe I can get a few other plants, too…” Mika said, thinking and planning in her head.

~ Mika

“There is a great little flower shop, that just opened. We can go get what you need there. I know the owner.” Sharah looked mischievous when she said it. “Plants do better with other flora around, so we will have to get you more.”

Sharah

“That’s perfect! Maybe we can stop by after work.” Mika replied, smiling again. “My quarters will be full of plants again before I know it!” She seemed a lot more like her usual self today, bubbly and smiley. “Then my little air plant will have some company, too.”

~ Mika

Sharah grinned. She was was glad to see Mika happy and more herself. Sharah had felt bad to be so excited to have her friend and mentor with her again when Mika had been so unhappy. She hoped this meant Mika was finally settling in and enjoying Oed. “So....how is Kaleesa?” They neared the entrance to housing and the line at the coffee cart was short. “I want a hot chocolate, how about you?”

Sharah

Mika was starting to settle in more and it was actually helping to have someone else new to the planet to talk to. Sharah’s question caused Mika to blush, her shyness evident. “Well… I really like her, but we’re not sure if there’s anything there long term, so we’re keeping it casual and deciding… You know, whether to keep going with it or call it quits and be friends. I’m just not sure....” And then there was that other thing… Mika was confused and really lost and Sharah would be able to feel it. She nodded, “A hot chocolate sounds great, actually.” She followed Sharah into line.

~ Mika

Sharah grinned, “Well that’s good, right? No need to rush into anything. Have fun and get to know her, and then if you are only friends that’s still good too.” Sharah knew Mika liked her, but she wasn’t sure what was causing Mika to feel lost and unsure. Sharah wasn’t sure if she was picking it up from Mika’s body language or from her telepathy, so she said nothing. She hoped if Tandra wanted to discuss it, she would say something. Sharah walked up to the cart and looked a bit lost herself. The last time she’d been here she’d run into the governor. That had started a strange relationship that she wasn’t sure what to make of. It left her feeling confused as well. “Two hot chocolates.” She paid and stepped to the side while they were made. When they were ready, Sharah grabbed both off the small counter and handed one to Mika as they walked the half block to the entrance.

Sharah

Mika nodded, “Yeah, I guess so.” She sighed as they reached the cart, “There’s just someone else that I… I think I might like? But I don’t know. And then I don’t want Kaleesa to feel like I’m… you know.” Mika shook her head, stepping aside with Sharah. When the hot chocolates came and Sharah handed Mika hers, she took a drink of it. It was really good. “So I guess I just don’t know what to do.” Mika said as they walked.

~ Mika