RimWorld is a game of survival, challenging players to turn a handful of stranded survivors into a thriving colony. Ludeon Studio's hit colony-management sim presents a wide range of dangers, both to the colonists' mental and physical health. Whether it's pirate raids or insectoid hives, injury is inevitable for RimWorld colonists, and having Medicine on hand may make the difference between life and death.

There are three grades of Medicine in RimWorld: top-tier Glitterworld Medicine, standard Medicine, and low-tier Herbal Medicine. While the former two can be very difficult to acquire in a remote colony, players will find it much easier to build up a good stock of Herbal Medicine. Despite being the least effective Medicine-type, Herbal Medicine is still far superior to treating without any Medicine at all. Players should make sure they've always got some on hand.

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How to Make Herbal Medicine in RimWorld

RimWorld harvesting Herbal Medicine

The easiest way to make Herbal Medicine in RimWorld is to forage it from the map. The Wild Healroot plant, which can be harvested for a single Herbal Medicine per plant, can be found in Temperate Forests, Temperate Swamps, Boreal Forests, Cold Bogs, and Tundra biomes. Harvesting a mature Wild Healroot won't destroy the plant, and players will be able to send their colonists to forage more Herbal Medicine once it has regrown. Players can also preserve their Herbal Medicine in RimWorld in the same way as food.

For colonies in biomes where Wild Healroot doesn't grow, or for those who want a more consistent supply, it's also possible to grow a domesticated Healroot plant in a Growing Zone. Sowing Healroot requires a RimWorld colonist with a Growing Skill of 8+, making it one of the more difficult plants to farm. Healroot matures slowly, taking a full 13 days in neutral Soil to reach full growth. Each fully grown plant will provide the same amount of Herbal Medicine as Wild Healroot.

How to Use Herbal Medicine in RimWorld

RimWorld Herbal Medicine Stats

While players can trade in RimWorld to gain better forms of Medicine, this can get very expensive. Therefore, Herbal Medicine will most likely remain a staple until a colony has become sufficiently wealthy to buy or craft their own Medicine. Herbal Medicine will also automatically be used to treat animals and prisoners, even if there are more advanced Medicines available.

It's actually a very good idea to restrict colonists to only getting Herbal Medicine as well, unless players are well-stocked with higher tier Medicines. This will stop them from wasting expensive Medicines on light bruises or cuts sustained in everyday situations. Then, if the player's colonists get into serious trouble and take major injuries from one of RimWorld's best weapons, the player can remove the Herbal Medicine restriction until those injuries are treated.

RimWorld is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

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