Lupin and Wolfsbane potion

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 147544

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Sydney" <sydpad at ...> wrote:
>
> 
> > Allie:
> > > <snip> Okay, even if it's very complicated and requires a lot 
> > > of hard to find ingredients, what else does Lupin have to do? 
> 
> 
> It's possible that the Wolfsbane potion could be poisonous if not made
> exactly right-- the main ingredient being wolfsbane or aconitum
> luparia, which like most aconites is fatally toxic.  It would explain
> why Lupin would be hesitant to experiment-- ...
> 
> -- Sydney, picturing sushichef!Snape
>

bboyminn:

Sadly, I'm going to add very little beyond 'me too'.

From American Heritage Dictionary -

wolfs·bane n. 1. See monkshood. 2. Any of several poisonous perennial
herbs of the genus Aconitum, especially A. lycoctonum, having broad,
rounded leaves, elongate racemes, and purple-lilac flowers

Perhaps, there is a trade off with Wolfbane potion, true, you do get
relief in the short term, but in the long term, the toxic effects of
the Wolfsbane build up until they eventually kill you. 

There are many muggle medications like this that are extremely toxic
but when weighed against the disease, they are preferable. 

So, we really have two possibilities, there may be something in the
Wolfsbane Potion that neutralizes the poison, but it must be brewed
with extreme care for that to take place. The other option, is that
while the Potion will save you in the short term, it will kill you in
the long run.

Either explanation is sufficient to explain why Remus with his limited
resources and limited skills was not able to brew himself a constant
supply.

For what it's worth.

Steve/bboyminn