potions

Potions are liquids intended to effect change in a living organism or the environment. The term appears in folklore, medicine, and fantasy. In historical contexts, potions refer to medicinal tinctures and elixirs prepared from plants, minerals, and animal substances; modern pharmacology uses more precise terminology, but the concept persists as a liquid formulation that delivers active compounds.

Preparation involves extraction of active constituents through soaking (infusion) or boiling (decoction), sometimes fermentation or distillation. Dosage and stability depend on ingredients and storage conditions, including temperature and light exposure. Safety concerns include toxicity, contamination, and interactions with other substances; regulation varies by country.

In many cultures, potions carried symbolic or ritual meaning; apothecaries and alchemists prepared complex mixtures for healing, protection, or ritual use. In literature and games, potions are common devices that confer temporary abilities, cure curses, or reveal truth; plots rely on rare ingredients and precise recipes.

Examples include healing potions, antidotes, mood-altering draughts, strength beverages, and invisibility serums in fiction; historically there were depictions of elixirs of life and panaceas, often lacking verifiable efficacy.

See also: elixir, tincture, pharmacopoeia, alchemy, pharmacology.