Sleeping Draught

Sleeping Draught
Potion information
Effect	Made the drinker quickly fall into a deep but temporary sleep
Difficulty level	Simple
Known ingredients	4 sprigs of Lavender 6 measures of Standard Ingredient 2 blobs of Flobberworm Mucus 4 Valerian sprigs

"A Sleeping Draught causes the drinker to fall almost instantly into a deep, dreamless sleep."

— Description

The Sleeping Draught was a potion that caused the drinker to fall almost instantaneously into a deep but temporary sleep. A standard Sleeping Draught differed from the Draught of Living Death, which was much more powerful, lasting, and difficult to make. Hermione Granger referred to the Sleeping Draught as "simple, but powerful". Its recipe can be found in Magical Drafts and Potions and Book of Potions.

Key ingredients include Flobberworm Mucus, lavender, valerian sprigs and Standard Ingredient. When brewed properly, this draught should become dark purple in colour.

Brewing instructions

1. Add 4 sprigs of Lavender to the mortar
2. Add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient to the mortar
3. Crush into a creamy paste using the pestle
4. Add 2 blobs of Flobberworm Mucus to your cauldron
5. Add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient to your cauldron
6. Gently heat for 30 seconds
7. Add 3 measures of the crushed mixture to your cauldron
8. Wave your wand
9. Leave to brew and return in 70 minutes (time depends on cauldron)
10. Add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient to your cauldron
11. Heat on a high temperature for 1 minute
12. Add 4 Valerian Sprigs to your cauldron
13. Stir 7 times, clockwise
14. Wave your wand to complete the potion

According to Book of Potions:

1. Crush the wormwood, add to cauldron. Stir slowly.
2. Chop the valerian, add to cauldron, and apply a high heat.
3. Juice your Flobberworm and add its thick mucus to your cauldron.
4. Stir vigorously, apply a low heat and then give it another stir.
5. Chop the Sopophorous bean and add to cauldron.
6. Stir the mixture quickly, then heat.
7. Add a sprinkle of powdered asphodel petals and a dash of essence of nettle.
8. Heat the potion a final time, then stir slowly.
9. Wave your wand over the cauldron to finish the potion

History

Cakes containing sleeping draught

1992

Hermione spiked two, plump chocolate cakes with Sleeping Draught in her second year. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley left these sweets out for Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle to find. The two Slytherins ate them, unquestioningly, and soon fell unconscious. Their expressions were frozen on their faces.

1995

A vial of Sleeping Draught

The four dragons used in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament in 1994 were given Sleeping Draught to make the trip from the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary to Hogwarts easier. Charlie Weasley stated that he thought it would be better for the dragons to awake in a tranquil setting, but, upon waking in the Forbidden Forest, the beasts were as vicious as ever. In Charlie's words, the team of dragonologists used "a Sleeping Draught" to knock out all four dragons, suggesting that a normal dose of the potion might be potent enough to have an effect on a creature as big as a dragon.

2020

On 31 August, Ginny Weasley asked Harry Potter if he wanted to take a Sleeping Draught in order to help him get back to sleep.

Unknown

"Alright, I've made enough of this Sleeping Draught to knock out ten men… or one troll. Not bad, considering you foraged half the ingredients. A for Acceptable. I've already added the potion into the tea urn, so it should be lights out for our Muggles."

— Gethsemane Prickle

Gethsemane Prickle made this potion for Mathilda Grimblehawk and her partner to prevent a band of muggle construction workers from entering a forest full of magical beasts during their search for Bethany Harrison.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play) (Mentioned only)
• Pottermore
• Wonderbook: Book of Potions
• Fantastic Beasts: Cases from the Wizarding World
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery