Pepperup Potion

Chapter 13

Estimated Brewing Time:
Pewter cauldron: 103 minutes
Brass cauldron: 93 minutes
Copper cauldron: 85 minutes

Ingredients:
One (1) liter of water
One (1) mandrake root¹
Two (2) whole ginger roots²
Four (4) milliliters red wine vinegar³
Five (5) milliliters of bouncing spider juice²
Three (3) fairy wings³
Four (4) tablespoons powdered Bicorn horn¹
Three (3) milliliters infusion of wormwood²

Instructions:

Part One:

1. Bring 750 milliliters of water to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).
2. Cut 1 mandrake root into one half centimeter (about 0.2 inch) slices.
3. Add one half of the mandrake root to the cauldron. Keep the other half of the sliced root somewhere in which there is moderate to dry temperature in order to ensure it stays fresh to be added to future brewing.
4. Slice one whole ginger root into 3 millimeter (about one-eighth inch) slices and add thewhole sliced root to the caudron.
5. Stir the potion twice clockwise.
6. Bring the heat up to 383 Kelvin (110°C/230°F) for 45 seconds, and then reduce heat again to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).
7. Leave the potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for 53 minutes (this would be 47 minutes in a brass cauldron and 42 minutes in a copper cauldron).

At this point, the potion will be a pale orange and emit bright pink steam and possibly sparks.

Part Two:

1. Add two milliliters of red wine vinegar and two milliliters of bouncing spider juice to the cauldron.
2. Add three fairy wings to your mortar and crush them into a fine, even powder. Add the full powdered substance to the cauldron.
3. Bring the heat up to 383 Kelvin (110°C/230°F) for 20 seconds, and then take the cauldron off the heat entirely.
4. Add two tablespoons of powdered Bicorn horn while the cauldron is off the flame. Note: If you add the powdered Bicorn horn while the cauldron is still on the flame, it will turn a vibrant red, and is known to splatter, melt less expensive cauldrons, and explode. Coming into contact with the potion at this time could cause serious magical burns that will gradually consume the body, even if wiped off the surface of the skin, without magical intervention.
5. Stir once counter-clockwise while the cauldron is still removed from the flame.
6. Wait ten more seconds, then add the cauldron back to the heat and bring it to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).
7. Add three milliliters of infusion of wormwood and 250 milliliters of water to the cauldron.
8. Leave the potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for 25 minutes (this would be 22 minutes in a brass cauldron and 20 minutes in a copper cauldron).

At this point in the brewing process, the potion will be a deep red, and the steam emitted will be a deep orange.

Part Thee:

1. Slice the last ginger root into thee millimeter (about one-eighth inch) slices and add whole sliced root to the cauldron with the other half of the mandrake root.
2. Add two tablespoons of powdered Bicorn horn. This time, the cauldron can be left on the flame when adding the horn.
3. Stir twice counter-clockwise with your wand.
4. Add first the three milliliters of bouncing spider juice and then the two milliliters of red wine vinegar.
5. Stir once clockwise with your wand.
6. Bring the heat up to 383 Kelvin (110°C/230°F) for  seconds, and then reduce heat again to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F).
7. Leave the potion to brew in your Pewter Cauldron for ten minutes (this would be 9 minutes in a brass cauldron and eight minutes in a copper cauldron).

At the end of the brewing process, the potion will be bright orange and emit yellow steam. Even after the potion cools, this yellow steam will continue to rise out of the potion.

Following its brewing and transfer to clear crystal phials, the potion requires a maturation period of two days. During this time, the potion should be kept at room temperature in a darker environment. Storing the potion inside a cabinet without a glass front would suffice for the potion’s maturation.

To Store

Following the maturation of the potion, it should be stored in a slightly cooler temperature for up to five years. Following this five year period, the potion should still have mild efficacy, but it will not be quite as strong.

To Use

Take 200 milliliters (about 6.5 ounces) of Pepperup Potion once a day for the duration of the cold. It can be taken plain or with a bit of sweetener, such as honey or a teaspoon of sugar. The potion tastes a bit like cinnamon and burnt hay.

Effects

The Pepperup Potion alleviates cold symptoms such as congestion, mild fevers, sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and sore throats. When imbibing the potion, there may be a very mild burning sensation in the throat, but that should dissipate quickly. The potion also causes steam to come out of the patient’s ears for several hours after consuming it. Side effects also include sweating, temporary loss of voice, and tingling in the limbs.

Caution

Owing to the physical side effects of the potion, the Pepperup Potion should never be taken before frequenting a mixed-magical or Muggle community. Doing so, in fact, violates the Statute of Secrecy, and can result in heavy fines or harsher punishment. While Pepperup Potion will occasionally be given to small children and women who are or may become pregnant, it is heavily advised to receive permission of a Healer before doing so. If steam continues to be emitted from the ears after a single dosage for over twenty-four hours, please seek a healer, as this may indicate an allergy or adverse reaction to the potion.