POTIONS III
I will try to keep today's lesson a bit shorter to help those of you who plan to write the exam, but I make no promises, as today we are covering our most complex potions of the course: those in the third-year curriculum. We'll start off with something rather familiar...
The Antidote to Uncommon Poisons. Many students believe that this is simply a more powerful version of the Antidote to Common Poisons that they learn about in first year, but this is not true. The Antidote to Uncommon Poisons is still only capable of curing mild-to-moderate poisons. The difference is clearly stated in the name - one deals with common poisons and one deals with uncommon poisons. For many cases in the magical world, poisonings work in one of two ways, and thus we have two main antidotes for those different ways. There are always exceptions, of course, but we don't cover those in this course.
Here is the recipe:
"1. Add 4 Dried Billywig Stings to the mortar.
2. Add 2 Chizpurfle Carapaces to the morar.
3. Crush both into a fine powder with the pestle.
4. Add 2 measures of this mixture to the cauldron.
5. Add 1 Fire Seed.
6. Add 1 measure of Horklump Juice to the cauldron.
7. Add 2 measures of Flobberworm Mucus to the cauldron.
8. Add 1 Fire Seed.
9. Stir 4 times, clockwise.
10. Add Powdered Graphorn Horn.
11. Add 1 Fire Seed.
12. Stir 6 times, clockwise.
13. Heat on low flame for 15 seconds."
The Antidote to Uncommon Poisons is a reddish orange in colour, and smells a bit like a campfire. It is always consumed. If brewed improperly, the Antidote to Uncommon Poisons may burst into flames and emit many sparks, much like a firecracker. The incorrectly brewed antidote will also have a reverse effect (it'll be poisonous!), and oddly enough it is therefore best to keep an Antidote to Common Poisons on hand. This is because magical poisoning from improperly brewed potions is a common type of poisoning. If signs of sickness and poisoning begin to show, administer the antidote immediately.
Now let's look at the Shrinking Solution. This potion actually has quite a strange history, but I'll let those of you who actually care discover it in today's assignment. The Shrinking Solution is used to shrink living things down to a younger or smaller form. It is not to be used to counter-act the Swelling Solution, contrary to popular belief.
This is the single case in this class where we will use an alternate source for the recipe for our potion. Magical Drafts and Potions does not actually cover this potion, so we will use Advanced Potion-Making:
The correct colour of the finished potion is acid-green, and it should never let off any smoke. It can be consumed or applied topically.
Let's talk about Herbicide. Often this potion can be covered in earlier years' curriculum, but I find that students have a difficult time (and aren't very responsible with the potion) until they've been dealing with potions for a little while. The Herbicide Potion is used to kill or damage plants. It is used very often in both home and professional gardens to keep unwanted plants from overrunning the place. Here is the recipe from our regular textbook:
- Adapted from the Pottermore Recipe
Herbicide is a bit of a strange potion in that the brewing time determines its strength. In this case, a Pewter Cauldron is often the best choice for Herbicide. While the other cauldrons have shorter brewing times, this is actually because leaving the potion in those cauldrons for much longer would severely damage (worst case scenario, it would melt) those cauldrons. Herbicide brewed in a copper cauldron for 45 minutes will still damage plants, but it may not be able to kill the unwanted plants, and it won't drive them away very quickly. Herbicide brewed in a Pewter Cauldron, however, will likely kill the undesirable plants quickly, leaving your garden practically untouched by the nasty invading plants. Herbicide is not for human consumption. It tastes very bad and may burn the skin upon contact, so be very careful when handling it. If brewed properly, Herbicide will be relatively clear (a bit cloudy) and smell like a mix of dirt and cleaning supplies. If brewed improperly, Herbicide will have a gooey texture and give off a toxic smoke. I hope you all know your Bubblehead charms!
Finally, let's take a look at the Confusing Concoction. This potion is very effective in confusing the drinker, and will often cause them to be short-tempered and reckless. Let's look at the recipe:
1. Add 1 bundle of scurvy grass
2. Add 3 blobs of Flobberworm mucus
3. Heat over low flame until the potion turns green
4. Remove from heat before adding next ingredient
5. Chop 2 stalks of lovage and add them to the cauldron
6. Place sneezewort in the mortar and crush into a paste with the pestle
7. Heat over low flame for 10 seconds
8. While heat is still on, add sneezewort paste
9. Heat over medium flame until potion turns crimson
10. Add 1 blob of Flobberworm mucus
11. Stir 5 times, clockwise
When successful, your Confusing Concoction should be crimson-coloured and fairly thick, like a milkshake. The Confusing Concoction is always consumed. If your brew a Confusing Concoction incorrectly, it will simply give the drinker a severe headache, and you may find it fairly runny. Best to keep an eye on the person you're trying to confuse before dashing off into whatever mischief you've found. Luckily, the potion is fast-acting; you should see results within 2 minutes of administration.
Well, that's our last lesson for the year, class! For those of you who will be writing the exam, I wish you good luck! It will cover material from the entire year, so study all of your notes! For those of you who won't be completing the exam, please remember that there is still an assignment due. Thank you for joining me this term, and I hope you're coming away with an appreciation for potion-making. Perhaps I'll see some of you in the advanced class?
The Antidote to Uncommon Poisons. Many students believe that this is simply a more powerful version of the Antidote to Common Poisons that they learn about in first year, but this is not true. The Antidote to Uncommon Poisons is still only capable of curing mild-to-moderate poisons. The difference is clearly stated in the name - one deals with common poisons and one deals with uncommon poisons. For many cases in the magical world, poisonings work in one of two ways, and thus we have two main antidotes for those different ways. There are always exceptions, of course, but we don't cover those in this course.
Here is the recipe:
"1. Add 4 Dried Billywig Stings to the mortar.
2. Add 2 Chizpurfle Carapaces to the morar.
3. Crush both into a fine powder with the pestle.
4. Add 2 measures of this mixture to the cauldron.
5. Add 1 Fire Seed.
6. Add 1 measure of Horklump Juice to the cauldron.
7. Add 2 measures of Flobberworm Mucus to the cauldron.
8. Add 1 Fire Seed.
9. Stir 4 times, clockwise.
10. Add Powdered Graphorn Horn.
11. Add 1 Fire Seed.
12. Stir 6 times, clockwise.
13. Heat on low flame for 15 seconds."
The Antidote to Uncommon Poisons is a reddish orange in colour, and smells a bit like a campfire. It is always consumed. If brewed improperly, the Antidote to Uncommon Poisons may burst into flames and emit many sparks, much like a firecracker. The incorrectly brewed antidote will also have a reverse effect (it'll be poisonous!), and oddly enough it is therefore best to keep an Antidote to Common Poisons on hand. This is because magical poisoning from improperly brewed potions is a common type of poisoning. If signs of sickness and poisoning begin to show, administer the antidote immediately.
Now let's look at the Shrinking Solution. This potion actually has quite a strange history, but I'll let those of you who actually care discover it in today's assignment. The Shrinking Solution is used to shrink living things down to a younger or smaller form. It is not to be used to counter-act the Swelling Solution, contrary to popular belief.
This is the single case in this class where we will use an alternate source for the recipe for our potion. Magical Drafts and Potions does not actually cover this potion, so we will use Advanced Potion-Making:
- "Add five sliced caterpillars.
- Heat till the potion turns red.
- Shake the peeled Shrivelfig until it is ready (this is extra important, as if one tries to add it before it is ready the potion may emit noxious green gases).
- Add peeled Shrivelfig until the potion turns yellow.
- Allow the potion to simmer till it turns purple.
- Add four rat spleens to the cauldron.
- Add the minced daisy roots till it turns green.
- Add five drops of leech juice.
- Add more of the Shrivelfig, this time till it turns pink.
- Add one sliced caterpillar.
- Allow the potion to simmer till it turns green."
The correct colour of the finished potion is acid-green, and it should never let off any smoke. It can be consumed or applied topically.
Let's talk about Herbicide. Often this potion can be covered in earlier years' curriculum, but I find that students have a difficult time (and aren't very responsible with the potion) until they've been dealing with potions for a little while. The Herbicide Potion is used to kill or damage plants. It is used very often in both home and professional gardens to keep unwanted plants from overrunning the place. Here is the recipe from our regular textbook:
- "Add 4 lionfish spines to the mortar
- Crush into a rough powder using the pestle
- Add 3 measures of the crushed spines to your cauldron
- Wave your wand straight up, like a conductor
- Leave to brew and return in 45 minutes (Copper Cauldron), 51 minutes (Brass Cauldron), or 60 minutes (Pewter Cauldron)
- Add 2 measures of Horklump juice to your cauldron
- Heat to a medium temperature for 10 seconds
- Add 2 blobs of Flobberworm mucus to your cauldron while it's still on the heat
- Stir 4 times, clockwise
- Tap your wand on the edge of the cauldron to complete the potion"
- Adapted from the Pottermore Recipe
Herbicide is a bit of a strange potion in that the brewing time determines its strength. In this case, a Pewter Cauldron is often the best choice for Herbicide. While the other cauldrons have shorter brewing times, this is actually because leaving the potion in those cauldrons for much longer would severely damage (worst case scenario, it would melt) those cauldrons. Herbicide brewed in a copper cauldron for 45 minutes will still damage plants, but it may not be able to kill the unwanted plants, and it won't drive them away very quickly. Herbicide brewed in a Pewter Cauldron, however, will likely kill the undesirable plants quickly, leaving your garden practically untouched by the nasty invading plants. Herbicide is not for human consumption. It tastes very bad and may burn the skin upon contact, so be very careful when handling it. If brewed properly, Herbicide will be relatively clear (a bit cloudy) and smell like a mix of dirt and cleaning supplies. If brewed improperly, Herbicide will have a gooey texture and give off a toxic smoke. I hope you all know your Bubblehead charms!
Finally, let's take a look at the Confusing Concoction. This potion is very effective in confusing the drinker, and will often cause them to be short-tempered and reckless. Let's look at the recipe:
1. Add 1 bundle of scurvy grass
2. Add 3 blobs of Flobberworm mucus
3. Heat over low flame until the potion turns green
4. Remove from heat before adding next ingredient
5. Chop 2 stalks of lovage and add them to the cauldron
6. Place sneezewort in the mortar and crush into a paste with the pestle
7. Heat over low flame for 10 seconds
8. While heat is still on, add sneezewort paste
9. Heat over medium flame until potion turns crimson
10. Add 1 blob of Flobberworm mucus
11. Stir 5 times, clockwise
When successful, your Confusing Concoction should be crimson-coloured and fairly thick, like a milkshake. The Confusing Concoction is always consumed. If your brew a Confusing Concoction incorrectly, it will simply give the drinker a severe headache, and you may find it fairly runny. Best to keep an eye on the person you're trying to confuse before dashing off into whatever mischief you've found. Luckily, the potion is fast-acting; you should see results within 2 minutes of administration.
Well, that's our last lesson for the year, class! For those of you who will be writing the exam, I wish you good luck! It will cover material from the entire year, so study all of your notes! For those of you who won't be completing the exam, please remember that there is still an assignment due. Thank you for joining me this term, and I hope you're coming away with an appreciation for potion-making. Perhaps I'll see some of you in the advanced class?