Magical Drafts And Potions
Arsenius Jigger was a notable potioneer, former Ministry of Magic employee, and professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Following his retirement, he traveled the world studying various forms of defensive magic and potions in the hopes of giving young people a solid foundation in magical knowledge upon their entrance into Hogwarts. The following represents the third printing since Jigger’s original publication of Magical Drafts and Potions in 1856. Although the content remains the same, the editor has left footnotes to denote changes in legislation, theory, and other relevant content.
Last Updated
05/31/21
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An Overview Of Potions In Oceania
Chapter 14
The Billywig, for example, is a relatively new discovery to western potioneers. Its sting shows great promise in a number of varied potions, including potions for promoting wakefulness, controlling allergies, and even as an antidote to some rarer poisons. It has not, as of yet, begun to be imported to the United Kingdom with regularity, although it is likely that will change as magical trade evens out and expands in the coming decades.
Among mundane animals, the spines of the short-beaked echidna can be used similarly to the porcupine, in cures for skin afflictions, such as boils, rashes, and more painful sores. These creatures are occasionally used as pets in the wizarding world, although the most popular pets for families in Australia are the sugar gliders, a species that the author believes may increase in popularity over the next century.[1]
For thorough study on Australian potions, the author recommends Tallara Elsey, a talented witch who has spent her life detailing Australian flora and fauna, their use in potions, and a thorough history of prior potioneering practice in Australia. She also has a fascinating account of the dirawong and its place in the magical world.
New Zealand is home to one of the major dragon breeds of the world, the Antipodean Opaleye, although a lack of space in their home valleys has reportedly led to occasional sightings in Australia. Thought to be one of the most beautiful dragons, with pearly scales and glittering multi-colored eyes, the species is hunted not only as a trophy, but for its use in potions. The claws create powerful hallucinogenic fits and vivid dreams and are also used in potions that enhance concentration. Their blood can also be used in healing potions, particularly those that are used following the lifting of a curse: these potions have been proven to be highly effective in assisting with the after-effects of strong curses and hexes.
The taniwha, a magical fish that looks much like an average shark, is also native to the waters in and around New Zealand. These creatures tend to be loners, although they will frequently attach themselves to a magical or non-magical community, and stand as their “guardians.” Alone, these creatures tend to be harmless, unless the community which they are protecting is in danger, in which case they can be fatal. However, the teeth of the taniwha can also be used in luck potions. It is strongly recommended that one does not harm a taniwha that has affiliated itself with a community, however, as it usually seeks out places of need, and a removal of that force often leads to unintended consequences.
As New Zealand was actually one of the last major locations on Earth to be settled by humans, being first inhabited by eastern Polynesians in the 13th century, most of the potioneering traditions have actually remained faithful to those early settlers’ roots. While some new potions have been created in island nation owing to native flora and fauna, for the most part, both early settling peoples and colonizers remain faithful to their original potioneering practices.
There are over 1,000 islands that make up what is called “Polynesia” with many diverse cultures, religions, flora, fauna, and magical practices. It is said that magical and non-magical people began to arrive on the islands first from Taiwan between 3000 and 1000 BCE. Of course, these islands were not all inhabited at the same time, but over a gradual progression through Indonesia and the Philippines, and then on further East and South.
The island nation of Hawai’i[2] was thought to have first been settled around 300 CE. Magical beings were from the inception of the culture woven into the social structure as kahuna, the high priests and religious leaders. There are ten classes of kahuna, each with a specialization easily recognizable to British students. For example, the kilokilo is one who divines the future or a prophet. Potioneers were most often lapa’au, or medicinal healers, and also hoʻounāunā, or one who could cause illness.
Popular healing herbs native to Hawaii include ʻōlena, commonly known as turmeric, which can be used as a beautifier and in potions that heal skin infections and similar maladies. There is also pōpolo, or glossy nightshade, was used similarly to European use of dittany, as a somewhat universal herb for wound and healing potions. The canoe plant, noni-noni, is used in Shrinking Solutions and, similarly for medicinal uses, such as in ‘Apu ‘i’o ulu, or the Tumor-Shrinking Potion and other concoctions that eliminate harmful and unwanted growths.
Although it is not used in as many healing potions, kukui can be used in Mea inu ula loa, also known as the Potion of Long Light. This is a potion that creates a long-lasting light that does not extinguish for several years. The herb ‘awa is used in psychological potions similar to the Draught of Peace, Calming Concoction, and similar. Wild ginger, or ‘awapuhi, is often used in warming draughts and a somewhat simplified Pepper-Up Potion. Uhaloa is a shrub that is often used in floating and lightness potions. While these potions do not make people physically float, swallowing this brew or pouring it on an object will make it seem lighter, thus helping magical and non-magical people carry heavy objects over long distances without difficulty.
Hawai’i offers just one example of the rich herbological and potioneering opportunities in the islands of Polynesia. Samoa, Tuvalu, and French Polynesia are other examples of islands which merit further magical exploration.
[1]The editor is disappointed this has not happened, and calls on the European ministries to make this a top priority.
[2[Hawai’i became a state of the United States in 1959, and by that point, many of the witches and wizards on the island had assimilated to western and American magical tradition, and all had broken any lingering contact with non-magical people due to the MACUSA’s strict enforcement of magical secrecy.
