Introductory Lesson
Most students may know that Herbology covers the study of herbs (as logically depicted from the name itself), but likely not many know its true meaning and purpose. It's true that Herbology itself is the study of magical herbs and fungi and everything about them, from their appearance to their properties. The purpose of studying is so that wizards and witches will learn how to care about these plants and how to use them. Herbology is actually one of the oldest Wizarding practices and it is essential for other branches of magic like Potions and Medicine. Even Muggles have a variation of Herbology whose roots date from the ancient times; they like to call it Herbalism. The only difference being that they don't work with our herbs with magical properties.
But even though it isn't noted anywhere, it's highly possible they have borrowed this practice from us, wizards and witches, when the Wizarding world wasn't very protective of its kind. Rumor has it that the first users of Herbalism were these so called "Druids", who they say were linked in someway with Mother Nature and were able to use magic. It's a good thing they shrug this off by saying they were lunatics who just thought they could do so, so we don't have to worry about them intruding our world because of those ancient tales.
Anyway, back to the actual topic. This class will focus mainly on the most common and crucial herbs that everyone should know about because chances are you will have to handle them at some point in your life. We will cover with very detailed descriptions how they look, details about where they can be found, what's their place on the market, as well as their magical properties and their use in the wizarding world. We will not cover any potion recipes though, that's the study of Potions. But we will cover several charms which a wizard/witch might find useful when dealing with these herbs.
You will need to bring your wand with you, for the purpose of charm casting. The other required tool for our classroom is a pair of protective gloves, preferably dragon hide, but you can choose a similar material instead. You are also required to use several other things during class, such as earmuffs, pruning shears and a trowel, fertilizer, etc. A full list of the requirements can be found in the gallery at the bottom of this lesson. But currently our school has a sufficient number of these items to provide them for all students so you don't have to bring any of them but your wand and your gloves to class.
When it comes to textbooks, we will start by using "One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi" by Phyllida Spore, and later on we might present some other books as well. If you have the time you are completely free and encouraged to use any other Herbology book as well, because it will further broaden your knowledge. Personally I suggest you take a look at "Goshawk's Guide to Herbology" by Miranda Goshawk, but honestly reading any other Herbology book would work to your own advantage.
If you look at the classroom links in the menu on the top, you will see there are currently four Greenhouses. Each one of these has different herbs in them, and we will visit them one by one, introducing more complex and important (and/or dangerous) herbs as we progress through them. I suggest you listen carefully to what I say, because there will be an assignment for every Greenhouse that you'll have to complete. It's also for your own safety that you do as I say, otherwise you might get injured (be bitten by a herb, lose your hearing sense by the scream of a herb, or even get strangled by a herb). I take no responsibility for any damage or harm a student undergoes in the greenhouses --- I will give very clear and simple instructions, following those instructions is up to you (though I will show the courtesy of taking you to the Hospital Wing so that Madam Pomfrey can have a look at you, just because it is my duty to do so).
Another important thing to remember is that you must wear your protective gloves at all times when you're at the Greenhouse, and never visit a Greenhouse when I'm not around! They are usually kept closed when I'm not there, but yes, if you do enter without me you are exposing yourself to serious danger. And if you do survive your independent trip, be sure that the Headmaster will be hearing about your mischievous and irresponsible adventure.
But if you are a true lover of all things nature, I welcome you wholeheartedly to this class so that together we can enjoy the beauty of the fantastic plants that grow on our school's grounds. Always remember that a true herbologist treats all herbs as they would any other living beings, both with care and caution. We do not learn about them so that we can more easily manipulate them, but quite the contrary, so that we can cherish them and care for them like we would for our own children. After all, these are nature's children.
Feel free to start doing the Introductory Assignment whenever you can, and once you have completed it and you feel ready, please join me in Greenhouse 1. Just remember what you need to wear!
Special Credits
Graphics References:
"1000 Magical Herbs and Fungi" Banner made by the lovely Bianca Delacroix!
Herbology book(s) and tools graphics in the gallery bellow are copyright of Pottermore.
Lesson References:
Harry Potter Wikia
HP Lexicon
Pottermore
Wikipedia
But even though it isn't noted anywhere, it's highly possible they have borrowed this practice from us, wizards and witches, when the Wizarding world wasn't very protective of its kind. Rumor has it that the first users of Herbalism were these so called "Druids", who they say were linked in someway with Mother Nature and were able to use magic. It's a good thing they shrug this off by saying they were lunatics who just thought they could do so, so we don't have to worry about them intruding our world because of those ancient tales.
Anyway, back to the actual topic. This class will focus mainly on the most common and crucial herbs that everyone should know about because chances are you will have to handle them at some point in your life. We will cover with very detailed descriptions how they look, details about where they can be found, what's their place on the market, as well as their magical properties and their use in the wizarding world. We will not cover any potion recipes though, that's the study of Potions. But we will cover several charms which a wizard/witch might find useful when dealing with these herbs.
You will need to bring your wand with you, for the purpose of charm casting. The other required tool for our classroom is a pair of protective gloves, preferably dragon hide, but you can choose a similar material instead. You are also required to use several other things during class, such as earmuffs, pruning shears and a trowel, fertilizer, etc. A full list of the requirements can be found in the gallery at the bottom of this lesson. But currently our school has a sufficient number of these items to provide them for all students so you don't have to bring any of them but your wand and your gloves to class.
When it comes to textbooks, we will start by using "One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi" by Phyllida Spore, and later on we might present some other books as well. If you have the time you are completely free and encouraged to use any other Herbology book as well, because it will further broaden your knowledge. Personally I suggest you take a look at "Goshawk's Guide to Herbology" by Miranda Goshawk, but honestly reading any other Herbology book would work to your own advantage.
If you look at the classroom links in the menu on the top, you will see there are currently four Greenhouses. Each one of these has different herbs in them, and we will visit them one by one, introducing more complex and important (and/or dangerous) herbs as we progress through them. I suggest you listen carefully to what I say, because there will be an assignment for every Greenhouse that you'll have to complete. It's also for your own safety that you do as I say, otherwise you might get injured (be bitten by a herb, lose your hearing sense by the scream of a herb, or even get strangled by a herb). I take no responsibility for any damage or harm a student undergoes in the greenhouses --- I will give very clear and simple instructions, following those instructions is up to you (though I will show the courtesy of taking you to the Hospital Wing so that Madam Pomfrey can have a look at you, just because it is my duty to do so).
Another important thing to remember is that you must wear your protective gloves at all times when you're at the Greenhouse, and never visit a Greenhouse when I'm not around! They are usually kept closed when I'm not there, but yes, if you do enter without me you are exposing yourself to serious danger. And if you do survive your independent trip, be sure that the Headmaster will be hearing about your mischievous and irresponsible adventure.
But if you are a true lover of all things nature, I welcome you wholeheartedly to this class so that together we can enjoy the beauty of the fantastic plants that grow on our school's grounds. Always remember that a true herbologist treats all herbs as they would any other living beings, both with care and caution. We do not learn about them so that we can more easily manipulate them, but quite the contrary, so that we can cherish them and care for them like we would for our own children. After all, these are nature's children.
Feel free to start doing the Introductory Assignment whenever you can, and once you have completed it and you feel ready, please join me in Greenhouse 1. Just remember what you need to wear!
Special Credits
Graphics References:
"1000 Magical Herbs and Fungi" Banner made by the lovely Bianca Delacroix!
Herbology book(s) and tools graphics in the gallery bellow are copyright of Pottermore.
Lesson References:
Harry Potter Wikia
HP Lexicon
Pottermore
Wikipedia