Wizarding World (Flora and)Fauna and Potions for Muggles

[whimsyflower]

No: HPFGUIDX 79611

In post 79558 by severusbook4, Sevvie asked, "Would the effect of a potion 
be the same for a Muggle?"  and in post 79565 by jdr0918, JDR said s/he 
wonders which foods are real.

I want to add that from what I read, JKR really knows her herbs for these 
potions.  For example in OoTP, Harry forgets to add two drops of hellebore 
syrup to his Peacefulness Potion.  I've worked with herbs for over thirty years, 
and I couldn't resist the urge to find out if one would put hellebore into a 
peacefulness potion.  Good Ravenclaw that I am, I checked some of my herb 
books and found this:

Hellebore:  Veratrum viride
"Medicinal part: the rhizome
Solvent: alcohol
Dose: usually given in the form of a tincture. Formula for the
tincture is dried root 8-16 oz., diluted (83.5% alcohol) macerating for
two weeks and then expressed and filtered.

Uses: Sedative, Emetic, Diaphoretic, and Sternutatory (causing or tending to 
cause sneezing)
It is an unsurpassed by any article as an expectorant.  As an
arterial sedative it stands unparalleled and unequalled.  In small
doses it creates and promotes appetite.  It slows the pulse by its
powerful stimulating influence upon the vagus nerve.  In suitable doses
it can be relied upon to bring the pulse down from 150 beats per minute
to forty or even thirty." (Is that peace or what?  Maybe it's even a tad too 
peaceful.)

Source: Hutchens, Alma R. (1973). Indian herbology of north america.
Ontario, Canada, Merco Press

So, yes, these potions would likely have exactly the same effect on Muggles, 
and Hellebore, for one, is a "real" plant.   I can't believe how well read JKR 
must be to know all this stuff !!

Whimsy 

 And thanks to all who posted about pasties, pumpkin and otherwise!