I suppose people read into things what they want to. I didn't really see any literal connection bar that which most modern fantasy owes to Lord of the Rings (orcs, dwarves, elves, trolls etc)
Let's face it. It would be a pretty boring (and short) story if it was "We need a specific plant which only grows in a certain place." Party goes there, journey takes 2 weeks and is uneventful. Party find said plant which grows plentifully. Party returns home uneventfully and produce cure. The end.
