D&D 5E RAW: Using Purify Food and Drink to cure a party member?

[Ralif Redhammer]

one point is that spells in D&D are very specific and set.

Very frequently, when someone asks if they can do something with a spell in D&D, I point them to what the text says the spell does. In other systems, I can be more open to getting creative with magic, but with D&D I prefer to play by the books.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

Other point is ordinary contagious diseases have an incubation period of several days. Then if a magical healing effect needs a long-rest for a no-magical disease, then it shouldn't break the power balance. A different thing would be using low-level magic against magical diseased or caused by fantasy monsters.

If a poison from the real life can poison neutralized thanks to the appropriate antidote then that in D&D can by low-level healing magic, but maybe the healing would need more time, at least a short-rest.

Or spell slots are spend to "load" some potion, and this would work like the right medicine or antidote, but only with the "softer" no-magical toxins or pathogens.

Or low-level spells could be spend to craft antidotes, but with a handicap. If a Con check fails the poisoned victim is healed, but she suffers a level of exhaution until a short rest at least.

Could those healing effect break the power balance? Not if it needs a lot of time for recovery after the battle, and diseases and poisons by monsters with a higher challenge rating would need a better healing. The low-level magic wouldn't be enough.

* House rule: If a PC enjoys a medicine skill then spell slots (it doesn't matter what spell to be used) can be spent to craft no-magical medicines or antidotes. (level 0 spells can be enough but it would need more time to be crafted).

House rule 2, magical acupuncture: (smeared with ointment) magic needles can function as syringes for injuries and toxins.

 

[Andras]

Would this depend on which version Yuan-ti the player has? Volo's Yuan-ti are immune to poison. From the caster's perspective poison isn't harmful and poison in the target area won't be affected by the spell.

 

[Voadam]

Would this depend on which version Yuan-ti the player has? Volo's Yuan-ti are immune to poison. From the caster's perspective poison isn't harmful and poison in the target area won't be affected by the spell.

Poison you are immune to is still poison. You are just immune to it.