An extractor is a device invented and used by the Tawkami Clan to harvest essential oils from flora to create various elixirs, pastes and potions. Effective use of an extractor relies on three main parts: a stone bowl, a flame, and special extraction seeds. The extraction process is quite simple. First, the desired flora is placed in the stone bowl with the seeds. Water is then added and a soft flame is lit under the bowl. As the water reaches a gentle boil, the seeds release nutrients and absorb the flora’s essential oils. When all water evaporates, extraction is complete.
The ‘tranquil seed’ is an example of Na’vi alchemy. A complex combination of various leaves, roots, and pollens are mashed into a thick syrupy substance to extract psychoactive chemicals. Over time, these chemicals bond together to form little kernels called the tranquil seed. The Tawkami break open these kernels to release a tranquilizing smoke that can be used to tame wild animals. The Tawkami track and store the tranquil seed’s precise formula in their mind with no tangible record. Where most see a beautiful landscape, the Tawkami see Pandora as the source of truly elaborate recipes.
The dapophet, known to the Na’vi as paywll, ‘water plant’, is an unusual plant that stores water in its tissues. It has two kinds of leaves that are harvested by the Na’vi. The aloe-like leaves to the top of the plant have a genetic substance inside that has healing properties when applied to skin. The Na’vi use these top leaves of the paywll to soothe skin that has been burned as well as to speed the healing of cuts and other injuries. The leaves can be ground up and ingested to soothe upset stomachs and cure other intestinal ailments. The water-filled leaves along the stem are used for hydration.
The healing rose, measuring nearly six meters tall, produces nectar with various regeneration and healing powers, both spiritual and physical.
Fungal blooms that grow on the trunks of goblin thistles, known as koaktutral or vozampasukut, are harvested to produce a natural antibiotic balm or salve.
The roots of the giant torukspxam fungus are used by the Na’vi to brew a powerful antivenom tea, especially useful for kali’weya stings, but toxic in large doses. Experienced alchemists and shamans can create a potion made of eltungawng to enhance an animal’s connection to Eywa, allowing her to influence the animal.
The Na’vi collect the liquid that catches in the body of the panopyra, or tawtsngal, and use it for a nutritious and healing drink. The sap from the scorpion thistle, or txumpaywll, is used to make medicine as well.
The Kame’tire are master alchemists on the Western Frontier. Known ingredients in their medicines and potions are: pollen of the mermaid tail plant, or yìspul; radar mushrooms, or pxey’awspxam; the venom sacks of whipfang crawlers, or tslikxyu txumtem.
Na’vi have also perfected a non-harmful way to extract the venom of the slinth, or txumre’, one of Pandora’s deadly predators, and use it for medicinal purposes.
