COMMON INGREDIENTS (AND WHERE TO FIND THEM)
Today we will go over the basic ingredients you will need to know for this class. Since there are so many different ingredients with a variety of properties and special considerations, you will need to consult both of the required texts for this class on a regular basis. We have already discussed Magical Drafts and Potions, so let's discuss the other textbook for this class: One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. This book is an invaluable resource for potion-brewers (and Herbologists!) of all skill levels. Refer to it when you are looking for any type of herbal or fungal ingredient, so that you can ensure you have the correct one, and so that you can learn of its properties and any special considerations you will need to take into account when harvesting it, preparing it, or brewing your potion.
So, let's get started on the ingredients:
Magical Plants
Moly is a flower with a black stem and bright white petals. It is fairly common and can be found in most greenhouses as well as in the wild. Moly is most commonly used to counteract and protect against Dark Enchantments. Moly is an important ingredient in the Wiggenweld Potion.
Dittany is a powerful healing herb. It is most often used for flesh-wounds, as it promotes the regrowth of skin and quickens healing significantly. While you can consume dittany raw to heal minor wounds, you will need to brew Essence of Dittany for more serious injuries. You can find dittany in the wild, but most potion-makers grow their own dittany to ensure that they have either lots of dittany or very potent dittany, so that they can have an easier time brewing the Essence.
Wiggentree Bark is the namesake ingredient of the Wiggenweld Potion. It has potent restorative properties. It can sometimes be difficult to gather if the Wiggentree is home to a magical creature or beast, such as the Bowtruckle. Wiggentrees grow in the wild all over the world, mostly in fields or grassy plains.
Asphodel is part of the lily family, characterized by its long, slim leaves. In potion making, however, the roots of asphodel plants are often the star of the show. Powdered root of asphodel is one of the key ingredients in the Draught of Living Death, as well as its "antidote", the Wiggenweld Potion. Asphodel can be found at most apothecary stores and is fairly abundant in the wild.
Aconite (also called 'monkshood' or 'wolfsbane') is a powerful plant found deep in the wilderness. Stay away from the leaves!! The leaves are extremely toxic and should never be added to a potion. However, the flowers and the roots are safe to use. Aconite is most commonly used in the Wolfsbane Potion, but it is also used in the Awakening Potion.
Mistletoe berries are used in the Forgetfulness Potion, as well as the Antidote to Common Poisons. Mistletoe berries are small, very round, and white with a waxy texture. They are most easily acquired from an apothecary, as Mistletoe does not grow in all areas of the world.
Aconite (also called 'monkshood' or 'wolfsbane') is a powerful plant found deep in the wilderness. Stay away from the leaves!! The leaves are extremely toxic and should never be added to a potion. However, the flowers and the roots are safe to use. Aconite is most commonly used in the Wolfsbane Potion, but it is also used in the Awakening Potion.
Mistletoe berries are used in the Forgetfulness Potion, as well as the Antidote to Common Poisons. Mistletoe berries are small, very round, and white with a waxy texture. They are most easily acquired from an apothecary, as Mistletoe does not grow in all areas of the world.
Valerian has many uses - some magical and some non-magical - but in potion-making it is used either as a whole or for its roots, and is added to a wide variety of potions, from the Forgetfulness Potion to the Draught of Peace. Valerian can be found fairly easily in the wild.
Horklumps are some of the most versatile potion ingredients - all the parts of a Horklump can be used in potion-brewing. One of the most recently discovered uses for Horklumps is using their juices in healing potions. Like the Lionfish spines, Horklump juice is particularly odd because it can also be used in a potion that kills/damages plants. Horklumps are unfortunately easy to find; they often take over home gardens.
Lavender is a common ingredient in many potions, thanks to its calming effect. It is one of the ingredients in the Sleeping Draught. Many people grow lavender in their gardens, so it is not difficult to come by.
Sneezewort is a poisonous plant used in the Befuddlement Draught. It must be prepared carefully in order to dull the poison's effects and prevent it from seriously and permanently harming a person. It is best purchased from an apothecary.
Horklumps are some of the most versatile potion ingredients - all the parts of a Horklump can be used in potion-brewing. One of the most recently discovered uses for Horklumps is using their juices in healing potions. Like the Lionfish spines, Horklump juice is particularly odd because it can also be used in a potion that kills/damages plants. Horklumps are unfortunately easy to find; they often take over home gardens.
Lavender is a common ingredient in many potions, thanks to its calming effect. It is one of the ingredients in the Sleeping Draught. Many people grow lavender in their gardens, so it is not difficult to come by.
Sneezewort is a poisonous plant used in the Befuddlement Draught. It must be prepared carefully in order to dull the poison's effects and prevent it from seriously and permanently harming a person. It is best purchased from an apothecary.
Wormwood is one of the oldest ingredients there is. It has been used in potion-making for as long as anyone can remember. It has a bitter taste and is best added to potions when it is prepared as an infusion. It is used in the Draught of Living Death, among other potions.
Ingredients from Creatures/Beasts
Snake fangs are used in many different potions, such as the Cure for Boils and the Awakening Potion. Most often, the snake fangs are crushed into powder using a mortar and pestle.
Horned slugs are fairly easy to find in most gardens. They are often some of the first ingredients to be added to potions, in order to give them ample time to boil.
Ingredients from Creatures/Beasts
Snake fangs are used in many different potions, such as the Cure for Boils and the Awakening Potion. Most often, the snake fangs are crushed into powder using a mortar and pestle.
Horned slugs are fairly easy to find in most gardens. They are often some of the first ingredients to be added to potions, in order to give them ample time to boil.
Bezoars are stones found in the stomachs of goats. On their own they are very useful for counteracting most poisons, and as such is a cornerstone of the Antidote to Common Poisons. It is important to note that the bezoar will not help you against very strong poisons and venoms, such as that of a basilisk.
Porcupine quills are used in some potions, and are very easy to find in most apothecaries. They are usually added whole to a potion, and most potions experts advise you to try to use porcupine quills that have never caused harm, as this may affect the outcome of your potion. Since most potion-makers do not go out and pluck the quills from porcupines, however, this is sometimes difficult to do; there are no laws governing porcupine quill labeling in stores, so it is entirely possible for apothecaries to label their quills "harmless" despite the fact that they have caused harm.
Flobberworm mucus is used in many potions to help thicken them. It is sold at most apothecary shops.
Porcupine quills are used in some potions, and are very easy to find in most apothecaries. They are usually added whole to a potion, and most potions experts advise you to try to use porcupine quills that have never caused harm, as this may affect the outcome of your potion. Since most potion-makers do not go out and pluck the quills from porcupines, however, this is sometimes difficult to do; there are no laws governing porcupine quill labeling in stores, so it is entirely possible for apothecaries to label their quills "harmless" despite the fact that they have caused harm.
Flobberworm mucus is used in many potions to help thicken them. It is sold at most apothecary shops.
Unicorn horns are fairly rare ingredients, but they are still used in some important and basic potions, so we will cover them here. Most often the unicorn horn is ground down to a powder before being added to the potion. Since unicorn horns have superior healing and purification properties, they are often used in the Antidote to Common Poisons. Always purchase your unicorn horns from apothecaries - they are required by law (and watched very carefully by the Ministry) to only purchase and sell unicorn horns from special unicorn caretakers, who will only remove the horn once the unicorn has died of natural causes.
Lionfish spines are extremely long, so they are typically crushed into a powder. You will most often buy them in shops, as Lionfish are particularly feisty and don't enjoy having their spines plucked. Lionfish spines are typically used in healing potions, but can also be used in other potions such as Herbicide.
Billywig stings are a bit tough to come by (they make you float off of the ground!), but they are used in many potions, such as the Awakening Potion. Since Billywig stings contain the venom which makes you float, they must be handled with care. As such, it is recommended that you dry out your Billywig stings before handling them for potion brewing. The last thing you need is to start floating in the middle of potion-brewing!
Lionfish spines are extremely long, so they are typically crushed into a powder. You will most often buy them in shops, as Lionfish are particularly feisty and don't enjoy having their spines plucked. Lionfish spines are typically used in healing potions, but can also be used in other potions such as Herbicide.
Billywig stings are a bit tough to come by (they make you float off of the ground!), but they are used in many potions, such as the Awakening Potion. Since Billywig stings contain the venom which makes you float, they must be handled with care. As such, it is recommended that you dry out your Billywig stings before handling them for potion brewing. The last thing you need is to start floating in the middle of potion-brewing!
Fairy wings are best purchased from apothecaries, as they acquire them from professionals who know how to handle the wrath of angry fairies. These are often a more pricey ingredient due to the hassle of getting them, and due to the fact that they grow back rather slowly. However, it is entirely possible to attempt to acquire fairy wings on your own; their have been no recorded deaths of people who tried to pluck a fairy's wings. We will use these when we brew a Girding Potion.
There are many, many other ingredients out there, and these will not be all of the ones that we use this term. However, these are some of the more frequently used ingredients, and so it is best that you know them (and where to find them) by heart. We will end our lesson here, so please continue to your assignments.
There are many, many other ingredients out there, and these will not be all of the ones that we use this term. However, these are some of the more frequently used ingredients, and so it is best that you know them (and where to find them) by heart. We will end our lesson here, so please continue to your assignments.