Lesson 1 - Introduction to Herbology and Basic Equipment

Herbology: The study, along with the use, of both mundane and magical plants. These may be for medicinal purposes, protective purposes, or purely educational purposes. 
Herbologist: Any witch or wizard who understands the properties and nature of a plant.

The basic equipment of Herbology:Dragon-Hide Gloves, Earmuffs, Wand, Dragon Dung, Mooncalf Dungand Centaur Tears. 
It is also advised to wear closed toe shoes, an apron, gloves, and sometimes a mask if fumes/scents noted to be dangerous.

Dragon Dung: Retrieved from the stool of any fire-breathing dragon. It can be used as a fertilizer for soil, as well as for compost in order to make a more organic fertilizer. The reason that Dragon dung works so well in breaking materials down relates to the acids found in dragon stomachs. These acids break all materials down to their most natural state (necessary for dragons that digest and consume a very wide variety of organic and inorganic substances). Another quality unique to dragon dung is that it is scentless, and will thus bother neither you nor the plant. 

Mooncalf Dung: Also used as a fertilizer. As a gentler option, Mooncalf dung is preferred for the planting and care of more sensitive plants. Mooncalf dung does not have the strength and power of Dragon Dung. If the soil is worn down, or does not have much of a vitamin content to begin with, Mooncalf dung may not be powerful enough to contribute to what the plant requires to grow in a healthy manner.

Centaur Tears: More vitamin rich than regular water, Centaur tears are capable of reviving a plant moments from death. While Centaur tears are a healthy watering option, some plants find them toxic. 
*Centaurs take great care over the forests and lands in which they dwell, using their tears to care for nature. Some very special people have formed bonds with some Centaurs (Albus Dumbledore and Rubeus Hagrid). Such persons have been able to collect tears with the consent of the Centaurs, with the agreement that all the tears will be used for the betterment of plants. Due to the rarity of this, some witches and wizards will go out and try to obtain Centaur tears by means of stealth. 

Week 2 ― Care and Use in Potions

Things to consider when planting: 
Type of soil the plant requiresDepth the seed should be plantedHow much water and sunlight the plant needs

Repotting: The plant will enjoy the freshness of a new pot, and the larger size tends to boost a plant's confidence. In this process, a plant's diet may change. Flesh-Eating Plants double their intake, while Gaviat Roots will eat two thirds less than before. The amount of sunlight tends to stay the same, while the amount of water needed either increases or decreases. 

Habitats: Many plants have left their native lands and adapted to new habitats. This movement can cause disruptions to the life cycles of any given environment. Habitats acceptable for growth tend to revolve around what amount of sunlight and water plants in the region have access to, although the temperature is also a factor.

Lifespan: The normal lifespans range between three years and five thousand.Trees tend to have the longest lifespans, however cacti and guapo herbs also have lengthy lives.

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Moonstone: Broken piece of hatched dragon's egg. It causes drowsiness and it is used in the dreamless sleep potion, along with starpuffs.

Starpuffs: While alive in plant form, they possess a hypnotic quality. They have sparkling petals and shimmering leaves. Without starpuffs, a dreamless sleep potion would not give an inability to think, which is vital to the process of dreamless sleep.

It must be noted that other than the moonstone, the realm of sleep is most widely affected by plants. 

Other Major Plant Ingredients

· 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

Sometimes plants are used to add scent, freshness or qualities of naturality. In medicinal potions, plant ingredients are usually chosen based on their temperament, toxicity, and other properties of their identity.

Forgetfulness Potion: Two of the three main ingredients are plants: Mistletoe berries and Valerian sprigs. 

Mistletoe berries: Cause hallucinations, which distracts the one who takes the potion, which allows the potion to take its effect of memory loss. 

Valerian sprigs: Sedative quality, which allow for the mind to be put to sleep, which also causes forgetfulness.