Potions | herbology

Aquagaigus Root

Care of Plants and Use in Potions

Each plant has it's own requirements and qualities. Again, common sense is a vital tool for any Herbologist - Cacti will not grow by the ocean just as Aquagaigus Root will not grow within dry deserts - yet observations such as these are merely skimming the surface. Within the practice of Herbology, nothing is more beautiful, more awe inspiring then the beginning of life itself. To enable this to happen, however, multiple factors must be taken into consideration; what are the required water and sunlight levels of the plant in question? What types of soil and fertiliser are most effective? At what depth should the seed be planted? All of these are questions which need to be answered correctly to grow a healthy plant.

Repotting is an important thing for many plants. For plants, it can equate to the euphoria of our own first day at Hogwarts, or the day we were told we were in fact magical beings. Plants have unique personalities, and larger pots often result in gained confidence on the part of the plant. A plant's ideal diet or water intake are also highly susceptible to change at this time (e.g. Flesh-Eating plans double their intake subsequent to repotting). This brings me to the topic of habitats; an ever present source of controversy with Herbology. Countless plants have been taken out of their natural habitats, and brought into new areas, where they have adapted and often produced new strains of a particular plant. This movement of plants can easily cause damage to ecosystems within any environment, by causing damage to wildlife due to poisonous content, or by spreading, the same way in which common weeds do, removing other forms of plant life. Within appropriate habitats, the lifespans of plantlife range from three years to five thousand, with trees typically being able to survive the longest.

Most potions require at least one form of plant, be it magical or non magical. Starpuffs are present in the most common variety of the Dreamless Sleep Potion. When alive and growing, starpuffs possess a hypnotic quality, which without, the potion would be ineffective. If uncareful, people may become easily mesmerised by their sparkling petals. In fact, most potions regarding sleep are produced mostly from plants, with the exception of the moonstone's use within the Dreamless Sleep Potion. This includes potions such as the intense sleeping potion, known as Draught of the Living Death. On another note, the Forgetfulness Potion requires both mistletoe berries and valerian sprigs to be created. Mistletoe berries cause hallucinations, to distract the potion taker, and valerian sprigs are a mild sedative, causing minor forgetfulness.

Other Major Plant Ingredients Include:

· Mistletoe berries

· Wolfsbane/monkshood/aconite

· Valerian Sprigs (also in sleeping potions)

· Leaping Toadstool

· Knotgrass

· Peppermint

· Root of Aconite

· Poppy Heads

· Shrivelfigs (shrinking potions especially)

· Rose Thorns

· Rose Oil