Herbology Review

Year 1

What is Herbology?

Herbology is the study, and use, of both mundane and magical plants for medicinal, protective or educational purposes.

Any witch or wizard that understand the nature and properties of a plant is known as a Herbologist.

Protective Gear

Dragon Hide Gloves

Earmuffs Wand

Closed toe shoes

Apron Mask

Equipment used when caring for plants

Dragon Dung

Centaur Tears

Mooncalf Dung

It’s used as a fertiliser, usually on sensitive plants. It isn’t as strong as

Dragon Dung and if the soil doesn’t have

much vitamin content then it might not be

powerful enough to help the plant grow.

It’s used as a fertiliser, usually on sensitive plants. It isn’t as strong as

Dragon Dung and if the soil doesn’t

have much vitamin content then it might not be

powerful enough to help the plant grow.

Plants preferred drink, It is more

vitamin rich then regular water and can revive plants moments from death. However they are toxic to

some plants.

There are many different types of plants, and

each need different types of care. Important factors when caring for a plant

include: Sunlight Habitat Lifespan Watering Repotting Planting(Type of soil and seed depth)

Care and use in Potions

Repotting is extremely important in the life of

a plant. In many plants, at the time of repotting, diets

will change. They may need more or less food.

Most plants will continue to need to same amount of sunlight but the water intake may also increase or decrease.

Repotting

Most plants have native lands but many of these

plants have left their native lands and adapted to live elsewhere.

While this may be better for the plant it can disrupt life around the new habitat.

The best habitats for plants revolve around: Sunlight Water Supply Temperature Climate

Habitat

Between plants life span varies massively. Many plants live from 3-5 thousand years!

This is if their lifespan isn’t cut short by anything, like being killed for medicine.

Trees have the greatest lifespan!

Lifespan

Plants are very important for use in potions,

this is because without the correct ingredients many potions wouldn’t work or would give undesired effects.

Some major plant ingredients include: Mistletoe Berries Wolfsbane Knotgrass Shrivelfigs Poppy heads

Use in Potions

In a forgetfulness potion the main ingredients

are Valerian sprigs, mistletoe berries and peppermint.

Valerian sprigs are used to bring on sleep. Mistletoe berries are used to distract. Peppermint(A non-magical plant) is used for a

positive attribute and for its breath-taking scent.

Forgetfulness Potion

The draught of living death is a very strong

sleeping potion. It is created from wormwood and powdered

root of asphodel. It sends the drinker into a death like sleep

which is similar to suspended animation.

Draught of living death

Basic Herbs and Fungi

Grows on the mountainside of Crete and

Greece. This plant has the ability to cure and treat

ailments as well as prevent scarring. Can grow up to 30 centimetres in height . Will grow best in soil at a pH of 6.6- 7.3.

Dittany

Used in Polyjuice potion and allows one to

temporarily change into the body of another can also help with urinary tract infections as well as fertility issues.

It is native to European forests Can grow to be four metres tall. Needs lots of sunlight to grow. Needs to be put in soil with a PH between 6.1

and 7.3.

Knotgrass

Used to make Gillywater. Native to the Mediterranean sea. Grows up to 5 centimetres tall. Grows best in a soil with pH of between 7.9-

8.4 Doesn’t need much sunlight. Consumes lots of water. Gillyweed is slimy and it’s colour is grey-

green.

Gillyweed

Has sedative properties and used in many

sleeping potions. Also has anxiolytic properties. Native to Europe and parts of Asia. Grows up to five feet in length. Should be planted in soil with a pH of between

4.5 and 5.0

Valerian Root

Dangerous Plants

Causes hallucinations, comas and puts people into a

dream like state. Used in sleeping potion, love potion and petrification

revival potion. Shaped like a parsnip with wrinkled roots. Grows in European countries . Grows up to 40 centrimetres. When working with mandrakes it is of the upmost

importance to wear earmuffs because their screams can cause death.

If the person isnt completely hit by the scream and falls into a coma, a tandisu injection may be administered.

Mandrake

In the past they have been used to suffocate someone and to

protect buried treasures. Devils snare it will attempt to suffocate anyone who comes into

contact with it. Has a vivid green color . Found in the highlands and lowlands of Scotland, specifically in

dark and damp areas. Is afraid of heat and light. Use Lumos Maxima and Incendio to rid yourself from the Devils

Snare’s grip. You can also ‘play dead’ and that will trick the Devils Snare into letting you go.

If a person is found unconscious after coming into contact with Devils Snare you can use Rennervate to bring them back to life.

Devils Snare

Comes from Scotland Resembles a giant black slug. After being squeezed it excretes pus which is

known as Bubotubar. Direct contact with this will cause burns and

the Muggles will classify it as being corrosive. Need very little sunlight and are found in very

dark and dam areas. If hit with Bubotubar pus, clean the wound and

immediately apply dittany.

Bubotubar

Used as: Anodyne (relives pain), Anthelmintic,

Aphrodisiac (used in some love potions), Carminative, Anti- hallucinogens, Diuretic, Hallucinogen. Laxative, Otalgic (cures ear aches), Sedative

Can grow to a height of one metre Is a water plant that is found on the edges of lakes and

riverbeds. Its leaves have a sweet aroma but to the contrary the

root has a bitter taste. Rat root is an abortifacient which means that pregnant

women are not to take it Should not be taken in large doses.

Rat Root

Advanced Herbology

It is purple, bulb-shaped with a few leaves

sprouting from its head. They enjoy attacking strangers. Can easily knock them away by using

Flipendo.

Bouncing Bulb

Resembles green onions. Have a gut wrenching smell. It is the main ingredient in the Gurdy Root

infusion that is red-purple in color and tastes like bogies.

Able to grow in an array of different environments, as long as they have sufficient food and water they will grow well.

Gurdy Root

Found in areas of a moderate, Mediterranean

climate such as that of lush forests, wild grasslands and rugged mountain ranges.

Found in shady places near trees that are placed in nutrient-rich soil.

It is toxic/poisonous and has sedation effects if it is ingested.

Can also be used to slow down the heartbeat and is extremely useful with patients that have tachycardia.

Aconite

Grows to a height of 2 meters and is found

commonly throughout Europe. Has a bitter taste and is used to help people

with digestive disorders . It is a vital ingredient in the Draught of Living

Death.

Wormwood

Non-Magical Plants

Lily plants are common to the Muggle world. Are known for their various colors which

attract birds. This plant is able to regulate heart rate and

aid in conditions that pertain to the heart. Can also be used for burn treatment as well as

in the prevention of scars.

Lily Plants

Classified as a shrub. Can grow up to 20 meters high. It has a variety of colours. Grows best in soil that has a pH range of between 5.5

and 7.0. When harvesting these plants make sure you wear your

Dragon-Hide gloves as they will protect you against the thorns of the plant.

English Rose

1. Eye diseases/ (as a tea) and to treat cataracts (from skin of the roots)2. Burns3. influenza4. Stomach problems / as a digestive stimulant5. Diarrhea6. Chronic finger sores7. Snow blindness (with an eyewash using petals, stem bark, and skin of the roots)8. Astringent/ for skin lotions9. Sore throats10. Treats rabid dog bites

Medical Uses of the English Rose

11. To stop nosebleeds12. To ease muscular pain/ antispasmodic13. Antidepressant /ease depression and anxiety14. Used in love potions15. Can decrease kidney stones16. Menstrual regulator (may be mixed with motherwort for cases of heavy flow too)17. Helps with kidneys18. Cleansing properties19. Anti-inflammatory20. Source of vitamin C

Medical Uses Continued

21. Seeds are diuretic22. Seeds are a laxative23. Potions with dried petals treat headaches24. Soaking a cloth in cool rose water may be applied to the forehead to help treat headaches25. Scent in potions may relieve colic (muggles may use Rosehip tincture)26. Eases a cough27. May be used to treat dry skin28. May be used in a potion to relieve itching for women29. Combining Rose water with witch hazel makes a potion to help clear up skin with pimples/acne30. Adding rose oil to bath water helps ease grief, and sometimes insomnia as well

Medical Uses Continued

31. Rose tea helps relieve stress32. Has been used to prevent scurvy by consumption33. Eases colds34. Eases fevers35. Decreases swelling of puffy skin by compressing with rose water36. Scent in some potions may induce sleep37. Can help regulate blood thickness38. Rose oil is known to be antiviral39.  Rose oil is known to be antibacterial40. Rose oil and rose water are known to be Antiseptic

Medical Uses Continued

Challenges in Herbology

Called “The gardening effect” because of its correlation to

simplifying our understanding of plants and the work of Herbogists, the negative perception of Herbology has only begun to have a large effect in the last three hundred years.

In the beginning Herbologists were revered and thought of as extremely important in society, up until the late 16th century.

The main reason this has changed is due to our knowledge of the world in the last couple hundred years.

The reason of this decline was because with the new knowledge of the world the knowledge of the natural world became a back burner issue, and the people working with it as well.

The Gardening Effect

“A type of plant or animal living outside of its original habitat,

ecosystem, or geological range.” Alien species include non-indigenous, introduced, exotic, and

invasive species They alter the natural ecosystems effecting the plants that

had already been there naturally, and invasion becomes a problem.

The invasion process: The seed/plant propagates into new territory The plant adapts to the new environment The plant "takes over" the environment, growing in numbers that

may be beyond what the ecosystem can handle (some plants are able to adapt, grow wild in the habitat, and not overextend itself)

Alien Species

They are from another place these plants

require may require more nutrients than the land can provide for them, which will cause it to be taken from the natural plants.

Estimated that invasive plants have taken up 7% more water resources in South Africa.

It is possible for an invasive species to cause mass extinction of plants and animals.

Hazards Posed by Alien Plants