Vitalixir

Estimated Brewing Time:
Pewter cauldron: 58 minutes
Brass cauldron: 54 minutes
Copper cauldron: 51 minutes

Ingredients:
One and a half (1.5) liters water
Two (2) locks of unicorn hair¹
Forty-five (45) ml lemon juice²
Three (3) dragonfly thoraxes¹
Three (3) griffin claws²
Thirty (30) ml armadillo bile²
Three (3) lionfish spines¹
Fifteen (15) grams whole cacao beans²
Fifteen (15) ml essence of dittany²
One (1) Chinese Chomping Cabbage²
One (1) medium sized ginger root²
Seven (7) peppermint leaves³ or alternatively seven peanuts with the shell removed³
Optional: Fifteen (15) ml Flobberworm mucus

Instructions:

Part One:

1. Bring 750 ml of water to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).


2. While the water is coming to a simmer, add three dragonfly thoraxes and three griffin claws to the mortar and crush them into a fine, even mixture.


3. Add two locks of unicorn hair to the cauldron.


4. Add two tablespoons of the crushed dragonfly thorax and griffin claw mixture to the cauldron.


5. Add thirty ml of armadillo bile to the cauldron.


6. Bring the heat up to 373 Kelvin (100°C/212°F) for four full minutes (Note: closer to three for brass and copper cauldrons), and then reduce heat again to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).


7. Stir twice clockwise.


8. Leave potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for 18 minutes (this would be 16 minutes in a brass cauldron and 15 minutes in a copper cauldron.)


9. While the potion is brewing, clean out your mortar and pestle. You can add the three lionfish spines and 15 grams of cacao beans to the mortar at this point and crush them to a fine and even consistency with your pestle.


10. While the potion is brewing, you can also carefully cut the Chinese Chomping Cabbage. Each segment should be approximately three cm wide. Put the pieces to the side for use in Part Two.


11. At this point, you can also take your ginger root and slice it widthwise. Each segment should be about two cm in width. Place the root to the site for use in Part Two as well.

During this brewing process, the potion will be a pale teal and may emit blue sparks occasionally.

Part Two:

1. Add 45 ml of lemon juice to the cauldron.


2. Stir once clockwise with your wand.


3. Add four tablespoons of the lionfish spines and cacao bean mixture to the cauldron.


4. Add 15 ml essence of dittany to the cauldron. Caution: The mixture will begin to steam relatively heavily in the pot at this point. While avoiding steam burns, note that this is natural, and it is alright to continue adding ingredients.


5. Add half of the sliced Chinese Chomping Cabbage to the cauldron.


6. Add half of the sliced ginger root to the cauldron.


7. Stir twice counter-clockwise with your wand.


8. Bring the heat up to 383 Kelvin (110°C/230°F) for 15 seconds, and then reduce heat again to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).


9. Leave potion to brew in your Pewter Cauldron for 12 minutes (this would be 11 minutes in a brass cauldron and ten minutes in a copper cauldron.)

At this point, the potion will have turned a medium green in hue, and any sparks from the previous section should have stopped entirely.

Part Three:

1. Add remaining 750 ml of water to the cauldron.
2. Add the remaining slices of Chinese Chomping Cabbage to the cauldron.


3. Add the remaining slices of ginger root to the cauldron.


4. Bring the heat up to 383 Kelvin (110°C/230°F) for 12 seconds, and then reduce heat again to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).


5. Stir thrice clockwise with your wand.


6. At this point, depending on personal preferences or allergies, seven whole peppermint leaves or seven peanuts with the shell removed may be added to the potion. This influences the final taste and smell of the potion, so it’s up to the individual. Those with peanut allergies should not use peanuts in this potion, as the brewing process does not eliminate potential allergic reactions.


7. Leave potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for eight additional minutes (this would be seven minutes in a brass cauldron and six minutes in a copper cauldron.)


8. Optional: After removing the cauldron from the heat, allow it to cool for five to seven minutes. At this point, 15 ml of Flobberworm mucus may be added to the cauldron. This is not necessary, however, and up to personal preference.


9. Before siphoning the potion into a phial, stir it with a wooden spoon or non-magical stirring implement to ensure it is an even consistency.

The final potion will be a dark green in color and will smell a bit like old cabbage. Depending on the optional ingredients added, it may taste a bit like a smoky mint tea or like an old peanut butter sandwich. Without these additives, be cautioned the potion is quite bitter in taste.

Alternatively: Occasionally this potion may be combined with glucose and hardened into a pill form. This is typically done when the potion is to be sold commercially rather than personal and individual brewing techniques.

To Store:

The Vitalixir is relatively durable and can store in moderate climates for up to five years. Extreme heat and extreme cold can cause the consistency to break down a bit, and it may get a little gloppy. However, the potion should still be efficient for up to five years. After that time, it should be safely discarded and a new elixir brewed or purchased.

To Use:

Fifteen to thirty ml of the Vitalixir should be taken daily in order to sustain healthy vitamin and mineral levels in the body. Missing a day or a dose will not strongly impact health, but particularly in the case of those who have severe vitamin deficiencies, it is recommended in order to maintain healthy body functions. There should be no fear of overdosing, although taking too much can cause strong stomach cramps and occasionally dizziness.

Alternatively: When purchased in pill form, one tablet of the Vitalixir should be taken each day with similar usage instructions.

Effects:

The Vitalixir helps the body properly process vitamins and minerals and wards against vitamin deficiency. It also helps stabilize the body processes and promotes an overall balance. It is a very mild potion that can be taken daily without concern.

Caution:

The Vitalixir is approved for all witches and wizards to consume, regardless of age, disease or disorder, or gender. It is safe to take - and often recommended - during pregnancy. It does not have any side effects, although it will occasionally cause stomach aches or dizziness if too much is taken at once.

Witches and wizards who purchase the Vitalixir commercially should be aware of additives for taste, and be cautious if they have any allergies, particularly nut allergies. Peanuts are one of the most common tertiary additives to the recipe for taste, and those who have nut allergies can still sustain severe allergic reactions to the elixir if they consume it. Always read the ingredients on the bottle and confirm those ingredients at the apothecary at the time of purchase.