| Ingredient |
Description/Uses |
Notes |
| |
| Abyssinian Shrivelfig |
A plant, composed of withered stalks.
An ingredient in Shrinking Solution. |
Harry's Herbology class prunes Shrivelfigs in their second year [COS15].
In their third year, the students use Shrivelfigs to make Shrinking Solution. Harry is forced to skin Draco Malfoy's because Malfoy is faking an arm injury at the time [POA7]. |
| |
| Aconite |
See "Wolfsbane". |
|
| |
| Acromantula Venom |
The use of Acromantula venom in potions remains unknown.
Venom is almost impossible to procure from a living Acromantula. |
During Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts, Acromentula venom is worth approximately a hundred Galleons a pint [HBP22]. |
| |
| Alihotsy Leaves |
Alihotsy leaves cause hysteria in anyone who eats them.
Glumbumble treacle is an effective antidote for the hysteria caused by these leaves. |
Alihotsy leaves are mentioned in the textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them [FB]. |
| |
| Armadillo Bile |
A liquid produced by the gall bladder of an armadillo.
An ingredient in Wit-Sharpening Potion. |
In his fourth year, Harry purposely spills his jar of armadillo bile to stall for time so he can eavesdrop on Professor Snape and Karkaroff [GOF27]. |
| |
| Ashwinder Eggs |
Eggs from an Ashwinder, a serpent that only lives for an hour, just long enough to lay eggs. The eggs are bright red, extremely hot, and will set their surroundings on fire if they are not found and frozen [FB].
Ashwinder eggs are used in love potions and can cure ague when eaten whole [FB]. |
Love potions are banned at Hogwarts [GOF27]. |
| |
| Asphodel Root |
Asphodel is a flowering plant said to grow in Hades.
Asphodel root is an ingredient used in Draught of Living Death. |
In his first year, Harry loses a point for Gryffindor for not knowing what an infusion of wormwood and asphodel creates [SS/PS8]. |
| Beetle Eyes (Desiccated) |
A general potion ingredient, although it is unknown what potions is it used for. |
When Harry was rummaging through his trunk prior to his final departure from Privet Drive, desiccated beetle eyes were amongst the general debris of 6 years accumulated at the bottom [DH2]. |
| |
| Belladonna |
Also known as Deadly Nightshade, Belladonna is a shrub with extremely poisonous berries and leaves.
Assumed to be used in the creation of several common potions. |
Essence of Belladonna is a standard ingredient in a Hogwarts student's potion-making kit [GOF10]. |
| |
| Bezoar |
A bezoar is a small, shrivelled, kidney-shaped stone taken from the stomach of a goat. The name derives from the Persian word pâdzahr, which literally means "protection from poison."
Bezoars are used by wizards as an antidote for most poisons. |
Bezoars are initially mentioned during Harry's first potions class. Harry fails to answer Professor Snape's question regarding where bezoars can be found, losing points for Gryffindor in the process [SS/PS8].
Harry won heavy praise and ten points for Gryffindor from Professor Slughorn when, aided by the advice of the Half-Blood Prince, he presented a bezoar as the cure for the mystery poison with which he was presented in Potions class [HBP18].
Harry also used a bezoar to save Ron's life when Ron accidentally ingested some poisoned mead on his 17th birthday [HBP18]. |
| |
| Bicorn Horns |
Horns from a two-horned beast that survives by eating virtuous husbands.
Powdered bicorn horn is a key ingredient in Polyjuice Potion. |
Bicorn horn is not a common potion ingredient, so Harry, Ron and Hermione steal it from Professor Snape's private storeroom when they brew Polyjuice Potion [COS11]. |
| |
| Billywig Stings |
Billywigs are small, sapphire blue insects native to Australia. Their stings are long and thin, and the effects of being stung include giddiness, followed by levitation.
Dried Billywig stings are used in several potions, although specific examples remain unknown. |
Billywigs and their stings are mentioned in the textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them [FB]. |
| |
| Black Beetle Eyes |
Black beetle is another name for the common large black cockroach. Their eyes are small and glittery-black.
The use of black beetle eyes in potions remains unknown. |
During Harry's first year, black beetle eyes were five knuts a scoop at the Apothecary [SS/PS5]. |
| |
| Boomslang Skin |
A Boomslang is a large, venomous snake from the sub-Saharan region of Africa. Its name in Afrikaans means "tree snake."
Boomslang skin is brown for females and green for males, which makes it excellent camouflage.
Boomslang skin is a key ingredient in Polyjuice Potion. |
Boomslang skin is kept in Snape's private stores. Hermione steals some for the Polyjuice Potion during her second year at Hogwarts [CS11].
In Harry's fourth year, Snape accuses Harry of stealing Boomslang skin from his private stores [GOF27]. |
| |
| Bubotuber Pus |
Bubotubers are black, slug-like plants that are covered in pus-filled protrusions. The pus is a yellow-green color and smells very strongly of petrol.
Bubotuber pus is a highly corrosive substance that is extremely harmful when applied to human skin undiluted. In this state, it can cause boils and irritation. In a diluted form, Bubotuber pus can be used to cure acne. |
Fourth year Hogwarts students learn about Bubotuber pus and its properties from Professor Sprout [GOF13].
After Rita Skeeter publishes an article claiming that Hermione is two-timing Harry with Viktor Krum, Hermione begins receiving hate mail. One of the envelopes is filled with undiluted Bubotuber pus. The Bubotuber pus gets on Hermione's hands, causing them to break out in boils. As a result, Hermione is forced to wear bandages on her hands while they heal from the contact [GOF28].
Bubotuber pus is also mentioned by Mrs. Weasley as she tells Harry about fake protective potions that are being sold to those fearful of Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Part of Mr. Weasley's new job is to stop the sale of such dangerous items [HBP5]. |
