In witchcraft, potions play an important role. They have been used for thousands of years to do all manner of things.
From healing a wide variety of ailments to attracting a lover, altering the consciousness of the drinker or even to poisoning an unwitting victim, potions also feature in our folklore, stories and fairytales.
From shrinking Alice and sending her down rabbit holes to Wonderland, to enabling George to transform his miserable old Grandma in the Roald Dahl classic.
The potion - in magickal looking bottles like the ones above - often evokes a sense of curiosity and wonder, with a slight hint of fear for the unknown.
We ask ourselves questions about what will happen if we drink it, how will it change us and where will we be afterwards...?
The sense of mystery that potions give us are part of their allure.
But if we look at the potion through a modern lens, you might be surprised...
The dictionary definition of the potion is as follows:
potion
pō′shən
noun
A liquid or liquid mixture, especially one that is medicinal, poisonous, or magical.
A drink; a draught; especially, a liquid medicine.
A draught; a dose; usually, a draught or dose of a liquid medicine.
A small portion or dose of a liquid which is medicinal, poisonous, or magical.
A medicinal or magical or poisonous beverage.
There are numerous types of potion which can be made, including:
Brews - think of the traditional “witches brew”. Brews could even be things like soups and broths.
Draughts - these are usually aged in natural containers. Like barrels, such as wine etc…
Elixirs - these are usually for some form of longevity. The word 'elixir' is an alchemical word to describe a mixture 'for long life and health'.
Infusions - these are a group of ingredients which are steeped in a liquid. Usually water, but doesn’t have to be. Infusions can also be in oil, beer, wine, juice or vinegar.
Tonic - these are usually concoctions to help keep your body’s essential functions maintained.
Tinctures - these are where ingredients are steeped in some form of pure alcohol. These aren’t generally imbibed, but more used topically on the skin or hair.
Potions are used to alter consciousness, to aid healing, to create meditative spaces, or to accompany other magickal practices.
What you may have come to realise is that almost all of us will imbibe some form of potion every single day...!
One example is our humble daily herbal teas, which can be - by their very definition - potions!
They are draughted to heal us, soothe us or to help keep us healthy.
With this in mind, here’s a couple of wonderful “potions” you can take which will heal and soothe, and imbue you with their magickal and healing properties.
Dandelion tea
This tea can take two forms, either made from the cleaned, chopped and baked root of the dandelion, or you can simply use the flowers and leaves - both have similar effects.
Dandelion tea is great as a source of vitamin A, which is important for the health of the immune system, vision, heart, liver, kidneys and digestive system.
Dandelion is a natural diuretic, which aids urination. It helps ease water retention which helps to relieve bloating and water based weight gain, and it contains high levels of vitamin C, which helps to give the immune system a boost and keeps cold and flus at bay during the winter months.
This tea aids digestion and contains inulin, which is a prebiotic helping the healthy growth of gut bacteria. Polysaccharides contained in dandelion also help to protect the liver and aid bile production.
The dandelion really is a super herb!
Rose, lavender and chamomile oil & balm
This oil infusion is used for calming and soothing the mind and aiding restful sleep.
To make it do the following:
1. Place a handful of each of the dried herbs into a clean dry jar. The jar MUST be fully dry as you don’t want mould growing!
2. Fill the jar with a natural oil. Olive oil is best, but you could also use coconut oil or almond oil.
Make sure all of the herbs are fully covered.
3. Seal the jar with a lid and place it in a sunny spot for about 2 weeks, making sure to give it a shake every couple of days.
4. After 2 weeks, strain all of the herbs out using cheesecloth, ensuring the oil is clean and free from debris.
This oil can then be used as is - by applying to the skin - or can be used as a base for creating a soothing balm by combining it with natural bees wax. Place some of the oil into a clean pan, and add beeswax before gently melting it altogether.
(Note: more oil than wax will create a creamier balm, whereas more wax will create a firmer balm.)
This can then be transferred to small jars or tins and used as you would any other balm.
Use this balm by rubbing a small amount onto your temples to ease anxiety or on the soles of the feet before bed to aid restful sleep.
So there you go.
The magick of potions is endless.
Grab your favourite herbs and have a go at some good old fashioned kitchen witchery.
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