Herbalist

"earth"

- You're insane, aren't you?" "That's right!

The herbalist was an old woman living in the ruins of Taku. Aang sought her help when his friends became ill.

History


This octogenarian devoted her life to making herbal medicines for wounded Earth Kingdom troops. She first came to the herbalist Institute where she lived forty years before. She was the only person living in and taking care of the institute, as her students all left long ago to help the Earth Kingdom armies. Her only companion was Miyuki, her beloved cat.

Aang learned that the herbalist lived at the top of a nearby mountain, and made plans to travel there to find a cure for Sokka and Katara after they fell ill. Unable to use his glider due to a storm, Aang raced through the mountainside, using his airbending abilities to speed his pace. He soon arrived at the herbalist's home, and after a frustrating meeting with her, Aang learned that his friends must suck on the frozen bodies of hibernating frogs, which could be found on the bottoms of riverbeds.

Zuko, Iroh, and June also encountered the herbalist when they were tracking the Avatar by means of Katara's necklace.

Trivia

 * She resembled a Filipino hero named Melchora Aquino, otherwise known as "Tandang Sora". Some say that she became a teacher too, but because of the Philippine Revolution, she spent the last days of her life taking care of the wounded Katipuneros.