While I appreciate winter since it is a time of renewal, as well as bringing us the wonderful Muggle sport of hockey, there is one thing that I could do without. And that, my dear Snakes, is the common cold. Seriously, if we could have winter without getting colds... That would be absolutely wonderful! Since I seem to have fallen victim to a cold from watching a pickup Quidditch game, I thought I'd share the best potion ever with everyone while I'm in the waiting stage of brewing. Introducing the Potion of the Month: Pepperup Potion!
First off, a little background about this wonderful winter remedy! Invented in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century by Glover Hipworth, it is possible that he based the potion on an earlier remedy that was created in the twelfth century by Linfred of Stinchcombe. Exactly what parts are possibly from that earlier remedy are unclear at this point. While suffering from a cold himself, Glover Hipworth decided to experiment on creating a potion to rid himself of it. After consuming his finished product, he had been startled and panicked when steam started pouring out of his ears. Though, he did notice that he started feeling better. He waited a while for the steam to stop, but when it didn't he took himself to St. Mungos. The Healers kept him overnight to observes as they couldn't stop the steam. Within three hours, the steam had stopped. Glover Hipworth offered the potion to another patient that was also suffering a cold, and upon consumption he also felt better even though steam again poured out of his ears. It was then that the Healers were interested in this potion that was able to cure something that hadn't been able to be cured before.
Pepperup Potion is, in a way, both easy and difficult to make. Easy as there are only a few ingredients to it. And difficult because you do need to pay attention to the details. There are two parts to brewing this potion as well since the potion does need to brew for 30 minutes in between stages. Should you have correctly made your Pepperup Potion, it'll be orange in color. For your brewing pleasure, I've included the brewing instructions:
1 - Add 1 piece of Bicorn Horn to the mortar and crush into a very fine powder
2 - Add 2 pinches of the crushed Bicorn Horn to your cauldron
3 - Add the Mandrake Root to your cauldron
4 - Heat on medium for 10 seconds
5 - Leave to brew for 30 minutes
Part 2
1 - Add 3 sprigs of English Thyme to your cauldron and stir four times, clockwise
2 - Add 4 drops of Salamander Blood and stir two times anti-clockwise
3 - Add 4 Fire Seeds to your cauldron, one at a time
4 - Let stand for one minute
And there you have it! Now you can make your own batch of Pepperup Potion for when you get a cold. And really, let's face it. Winter time is going to be nothing but colds. Especially if you enjoy outdoor activities like ice skating or snowball fighting. I know I'll probably be back outside in a day or two playing ice hockey on the Lake with others.
And now, I shall leave you as my five minute warning just chimed on my own batch of Pepperup Potion. Stay warm and enjoy whatever it is you do in winter!
Catch ya later!
Ragna