Herbology
Welcome to Herbology

Introduction

• As you may have guessed, this year is about laying the “groundwork” -- please pardon the pun, though you will need to get used to that habit of mine -- for your herbological education. In this lesson, we will be discussing just what herbology is.
  
  


• Now, just because we’re not tackling Fanged Geraniums on our first day, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Let it be noted that this course is not for the squeamish or faint of heart! Plants can be dangerous little things! While they are not creatures like the mighty dragon, nor beings like the impressive vampire, plants can be just as complex and difficult to deal with. Over the next few years, you will find that there are many parallels between plant behavior and animal behavior. Some even display quirks that a human might have! For these reasons, and for many others, you will be expected to treat all plants with the care and respect they deserve.

What is Herbology?

• Now, what is herbology? Herbology is the study, along with the use, of magical and non-magical plants. Yes, we will be studying both! You may find this odd, but as we will discuss in later lessons, just because something is not magical does not mean it is useless! These plants we study may be for medicinal, protective, educational, or purely decorative purposes. Each herb, fungi, tree, and flower whether magical or "mundane" has unique quirks and gifts, rather like each and every one of you. By mundane, I am of course referring to non-magical plants, however, due to the negative connotation of this term and because it often inaccurately implies the plants lack uses and abilities, you will need to use the term “non-magical” in this class. For example, despite being non-magical, oleander -- a very common and equally poisonous garden plant -- will kill you just as surely as a Venomous Tentacula if you are not careful. However, there is no need for alarm. As long as you develop a healthy respect for all plants, you will be far less likely to run into this problem!
  


• Of course, this outlook on the importance of non-magical plants occasionally causes herbologists a bit of trouble, resulting in negative opinions of our field or thoughtless nicknames that demean the important work we do. But I’m getting a bit caught up in my own ramblings again. For the meantime, remember that you are not just a simple gardener here in this class. A herbologist is any witch or wizard who understands the properties and nature of plants, particularly one who uses their knowledge not only to grow said plants, but to enrich the world around them in a multitude of ways.
  
  


• There are ways wizardkind can benefit from the knowledge and study of plants on both a personal as well as a societal level. For example, it is useful to be able to tell the difference between elder and holly wood when assessing the aptness of your opponent for certain spells during a duel. As a healer, confusing a lesser celandine and a marsh marigold could put your patient into a very deep sleep rather than curing their constipation. Potioneers and healers alike need to be able to recognize the differences between plants and be aware of any toxicity hazards that may need to be mitigated. Don’t even get me started on the benefits that magical and non-magical plants offer to the world in terms of providing potion ingredients to cure illnesses, keeping ecosystems in check, and providing nourishment. Needless to say, without proper knowledge of herbology this world would be a far less enjoyable place to live!