Bruise Removal Paste

Chapter 1

(Professor's Note: If you are beginning to peruse this book from the beginning of Year Three or anytime before Chapter Seven, please do not worry about the numbers next to the ingredients. I promise you will get there! - Professor VG)

Bruise Removal Paste

Estimated Brewing Time:
Pewter cauldron: 95 minutes
Brass cauldron: 84 minutes
Copper cauldron: 77 minutes

Ingredients:
One (1) liter water
One (1) peeled Shrivelfig ¹
Three (3) sprigs of dittany¹
Two (2) horned slugs¹
Five (5) teaspoons pomegranate juice²
Six (6) lacewing flies²
Four (4) dried nettles³
Four (4) tablespoons of powdered sulphur²
Three (3) caterpillars²
Three (3) tablespoons Flobberworm mucus³

Instructions:

Part One:

1. Add one liter of water and bring the heat to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).
2. Juice one Shrivelfig into a clean vial and slowly add the juice to your cauldron.
3. Stir once clockwise.
4. Add three whole sprigs of dittany to the cauldron.
5. Bring the heat up to 383 Kelvin (110°C/230°F) for twenty seconds, and then reduce heat again to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).
6. Add two horned slugs to the cauldron.
7. Stir three times counterclockwise.
8. Leave potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for 25 minutes. (This would be 22 minutes in a brass cauldron and twenty minutes in a copper cauldron.)

At the end of Part One, your Bruise Removal Paste should be a deep bluish green, and it will emit pale green smoke when brewed correctly.

Part Two:

1. Add five teaspoons of pomegranate juice.
2. Add six lacewing flies and four dried nettles to your mortar and pestle. Crush to a fine and even consistency.
3. Add three tablespoons of the crushed mixture in your mortar to the cauldron.
4. 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).
5. Stir twice clockwise.
6. Add two tablespoons of powdered sulphur to the cauldron.
7. Stir three times clockwise.
8. Leave potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for 35 minutes (this would be 30 minutes in a brass cauldron and 27 minutes in a copper cauldron).

At the end of Part Two, the potion will be a pale green color, similar to the tint of the smoke that was emitted after Part One. The smoke emitted will be a light pink.

Caution: Be careful not to add all of the sulphur during step six. If you do, the smoke will turn purple and the potion will likely turn a deep red. If this happens, safely dispose of the potion, as it will cause large blood blisters to form if it comes in contact with the skin, and in some cases, cause the skin with which it comes in contact to sprout thick, bristly black hair.

Part Three:

1. Add three caterpillars to your cauldron.
2. Stir three times counterclockwise.
3. Add two tablespoons of powdered sulphur to your cauldron.
4. Bring the heat up to 383 Kelvin (110°C/230°F) for thirty seconds, and then reduce heat again to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).
5. Stir twice counterclockwise.
6. For the last time, leave the potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for twenty minutes. (This would be 17 minutes in a brass cauldron and 15 minutes in a copper cauldron).
7. Take cauldron off the flame and let cool for five minutes.
8. Add three tablespoons of Flobberworm mucus to the cauldron. A bit more may be added if you want an even thicker consistency.
9. Stir with your wooden spoon to ensure an even consistency.
10. Use a funnel or a Siphoning Charm to transfer the potion to a vial.
11. Leave the vial in a moderate to cool, dry place for 18 to 24 hours before use.

At the end of Part Three, the potion will be a medium-dark yellow. Before it cools, the smoke will be a light, canary yellow. The potion will smell a little like fresh-cut grass or freshly dug earth.

To Store:

Please store the Bruise Removal Paste at room temperature. Small temperature fluctuations will not harm the paste, but it will become thick and goopy in cold weather and thin and runny in hot weather. Please avoid storing the Bruise Removal Paste in direct sunlight, as this will cause it to expire more quickly. The Bruise Removal Paste is good for up to eighteen months after brewing. After this time, it should not cause harm to apply it, but will be mostly ineffective and may cause the skin to turn a faint bluish color.

To Use:

The Bruise Removal Paste should only be applied topically. It should never be injected or swallowed, as this can do serious damage to your circulation. To use Bruise Removal Paste, simply apply a small quantity of the paste to the bruised area and massage gently into the skin. It should not hurt unbruised skin to come in contact with the paste, so you can rub it in with your (clean) bare fingers.

Effects: 

After applying the Bruise Removal Paste topically, the applicant should see the bruise begin to fade after about five to ten minutes. It can take up to an hour for the bruise to heal entirely. In the case of particularly large or dark bruises, it has been known to take up to three hours to heal. Occasionally a mild itching may occur, but this is a natural part of the healing process.

Caution:

You should never swallow the Bruise Removal Paste or get it in your eyes. If the paste ever comes in contact with your eyes, please flush them thoroughly. If you have any burning sensation after your eyes have been flushed, consult a healer immediately. Please also see a healer if you swallow the Bruise Removal Paste in any quantity. This paste should be safe for almost all to use, including those who are pregnant, although it is not recommended for children under five. While those who are nursing may use the paste, it is advised that they use it in moderation, as it may find its way into their milk, which will be ingested by the nursing child.

If you experience a severe itching or burning sensation or if the Bruise Removal Paste causes a rash or any skin discoloration, stop use immediately and consult with a healer. Allergic reactions with this recipe of the Bruise Removal Paste are rare, but may include mild to moderate itching, burning, rashes, sneezing fits, severe headache, nausea, and upset stomach.

The Bruise Removal Paste should not be used by those suffering from haemophilia.