Potions and Herbology Department
Basic Types of Potion And Their Preparation
There are many different types of potion, each with its own advantages and unique methods of preparation.
Here are the eight basic forms which you will need to be familiar with to create the potions in the proceeding chapters:
Philtres/Infusions
A Philtre or Infusion is a form of water based potion, similar to a tea, and best suited for immediate ingestion of delicate ingredients such as leaves or petals.
To make a Philtre/ Magical Infusion: Pour boiling water over your ingredients in a goblet and leave to infuse for 5- 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Strain before drinking if necessary.
The leaves in a Philtre need to be stewed for longer than your average herbal tea, to allow them enough time to release their phytochemicals, which are the active ingredients of the potion.
Decoctions
A Decoction is another water based potion designed for immediate ingestion. However it is a more concentrated brew than a Philtre and is usually reserved for tougher ingredients such as roots or bark- where prolonged stewing is needed to release the phytochemicals.
A Decoction can also be reduced, which is to say, it can be made more concentrated by prolonged simmering which evaporates the water.
To make a Decoction: Simmer your ingredients in water in a cauldron (or a saucepan!) over a low heat for 10-30 minutes; then strain. Reduce if necessary with further simmering over a low heat.
Tintures
A tincture is an alcohol based potion. It fulfils the same function as a Philtre or a Decoction but with the added advantage that it will keep for up to a year.
A Tinture is suitable for both delicate leaves and tougher materials such as bark as the alcohol releases the chemicals very effectively in a similar way to the prolonged simmering of a Decoction.
Choose a Tincture, a Vinegar, or a Syropp for potions you would like to preserve for future use.
Tinctures, Vinegars, or Syropps are most suitable for more potent ingredients as you naturally administer these more sparingly or dilute with water (or even Lemonade!) before use.
To make a Tincture: Steep your ingredients in Vodka or another spirit for a week. This allows time for the alcohol to release the active elements in your plant materials. After a week, strain off the liquid into a bottle and store for up to a year. Administer sparingly, a tablespoon at a time.
Vinegars
A Vinegar fulfils the same purpose as a Tincture except that Vinegar is used instead of alcohol.
Prepare your Vinegar in the same manner as a Tincture and store for up to a year.
A Vinegar is useful in the case of alcohol intolerance or where the herb used is particularly bitter as the vinegar will mask it to a great extent.
Syropps
A Syropp is the most palatable form of potion. Here magical ingredients are preserved in a sugar solution.
A Syropp is another potion that will keep for up to a year. It is best suited for occasional use as it is very sweet and could cause tooth decay if taken regularly.
A Syropp can be taken by the spoonful or alternatively diluted in water in a similar manner to a fruit squash.
To make a Syropp: First make a Philtre or Decoction of your ingredients and reduce if necessary. (Concentrate by simmering so that some of the water evaporates.) Strain and then add sugar to the potion, stirring frequently, until the brew won’t dissolve any more sugar and resembles a syrup. Store in an airtight bottle in a cool, dark place.
Poultices
A Poultice is a wad of chopped plant material that is held in place directly over a wound by a bandage.
To prepare a Poultice: Chop your fresh herb and apply directly to a wound or infection. Hold in place over the wound with a bandage.
If using chopped dried herbs rehydrate them with some water first.
If the herb is tough and hard to handle try adding some vinegar diluted in water to your Poultice.
Fomentations
Fomentations or Compresses are cloths that have been dipped in an herbal solution- such as a Philtre, a Decoction, or a Tincture- and then applied to a wound.
To prepare a Fomentation: First create (or locate!) the required Philtre, Decoction, or Tincture. Then dip your cloth into the liquid, quite liberally, and apply to the wound.
It is important to use a very clean cloth to prevent the spread of infection.
Salves
A Salve is very similar to a lotion or a cream. Magical ingredients are mixed in base of oils/ fats for external application to the skin.
Basic Salve Recipe:
Base Oil. (Any vegetable oil is fine. My favourites are Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, even Olive oil.)
Organic Beeswax. (You can find this online if it’s not available locally. It’s important to buy organic beeswax otherwise you may be spreading all sorts of chemicals on yourself.)
Essential Oils/Tincture/Infused Oil, as specified in your recipe.
Method: Use 1 part Organic Beeswax to 4 parts Base Oil for a relatively firm Salve. Heat your Base Oil and Organic Beeswax over a very low heat. (A Bain Marie is perfect for this if you have one!) Stir periodically.
When the Beeswax has completely melted into your Base Oil remove from the heat and stir in your Essential Oils/Tincture/Infused Oil, as specified in your recipe.
Check that your Salve is the right consistency when it cools. If your Salve is too firm, reheat and add more Base Oil. If your Salve is too runny, reheat and add more Beeswax.
When you are happy with the consistency, pour your Salve mixture into a jar and seal.
Tip: If you don’t have all of the ingredients to hand you can use a plain unscented body lotion as the base for your Salve. Just add your Essential Oils/Tincture/Infused Oil, as specified in the recipe you are following.
Exercise 3: Test Your Knowledge
Choosing An Appropriate Medium For Your Potion
1: It’s April and you’d like to make a soothing potion for sore throats that you can administer to your little sister during the winter. Which type of potion would be best?
A) A Tincture
B) A Philtre
C) A Syropp
2:
You’d like to make a highly concentrated potion which lists
A) A Vinegar
B) A Decoction
C) An Infusion
3: You’re creating a potion for a subject who has a low tolerance for alcohol. The potion is to be taken twice a day and they would like to have a supply to last them all year. What would you suggest?
A) A Fomentation
B) A Syropp
C) A Vinegar
D) A Tincture
4: You want to make a long lasting potion from a magical root, for a diabetic who can’t stand vinegar…Make your choice!
A) A Vinegar
B) A Syropp
C) A Tincture
D) A Philtre
Methodology
5: How do you create and then reduce a Decoction? Please put the following steps into the correct order:
A) Continue simmering until much of the water evaporates.
B) Place your ingredients in a cauldron and cover with water.
C) Simmer for 10-30 minutes, stirring frequently.
D) Put the cauldron on the fire!
E) Strain and bottle your reduced Decoction.
F) Leave to cool.
Please scroll down for answers Maestro!
Exercise Answers
1: C. A Syropp can be stored for up to a year and tastes pleasant- perfect for your little sisters sore throat. As it is only intended for occasional use the high sugar content doesn’t pose a problem here.
2: B. A Decoction is most suitable as the longer stewing time will suit the tough Willow Bark. In addition the Decoction could also be reduced to further concentrate the brew.
3: C. A Vinegar would be most appropriate here because it is long lasting but does not contain alcohol like a Tincture. We could also use a Syropp, however as the potion is to be taken twice a day it would be better for your teeth and health to choose a Vinegar.
4: C. A Tincture would be most appropriate here as it has a long shelf life but does not contain either sugar or vinegar.
5: B, D, C, A, F, E. Place your ingredients in a cauldron and cover with water. Put the cauldron on the fire! Simmer for 10-30 minutes, stirring frequently. Continue simmering until much of the water evaporates. Leave to cool. Strain and bottle your reduced Decoction.