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Potion

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This article is about potions in general. You may be looking for the Hogwarts subject.

Potions (Latin potio, 'beverage') are magical mixtures commonly brewed in cauldrons and used to create various effects on the drinker. A wizard or witch who specialises in potion brewing is known as a potioneer.

Potions are brewed from ingredients with magical properties. Potions can be used as medicine, lethal poison, or give the drinker any effect from strength enhancement to immunity to flames. Potions are not necessarily used by drinking, as some can be applied by physical contact or create an effect simply by being created, such as the Regeneration Potion. According to former Hogwarts Potions master, Professor Severus Snape, potions can "bewitch the mind, ensnare the senses and even put a stopper in death."

There is a Potions class, devoted to the study of potion recipes and effects, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

1 Terms
2 Supplies used in Potion Making
3 Texts on Potions
4 Behind the scenes
5 Appearances
6 See Also
7 Notes and References

TermsEdit

The science of potion making includes the use of words that are specific to this art.

A brew is a liquid mixture made by steeping, soaking, or boiling solid ingredients in water.
A concoction is, simply, a mixture of ingredients.
A draught or draft is one serving or portion of a potion. The word draft indicates the substance is drawn from a cask rather than from a closed bottle.
An elixir is a sweetened, aromatic solution used as medicine.
A philtre is a potion designed to enchant or charm the drinker.
A poison is a potion intended to cause harm or death to the drinker.
A tincture is a benign medicine preserved in alcohol.

Supplies used in Potion MakingEdit

Silver or pewter Cauldron
Glass or crystal phials
Silver Knife
Mortar and pestle
Scales
Various ingredients for specific potions
A wand

Texts on PotionsEdit

Behind the scenesEdit

J. K. Rowling has noted that - even if they were to follow the instructions exactly and had all the ingredients - a Muggle could not brew a potion because there is always the need to channel magic at some point, at some stage one would have to use a wand.^[1]