Showing posts with label john. Show all posts
Showing posts with label john. Show all posts

Sunday, 10 April 2011

Number 4 - Devil's Snare

Our first fictional herb entry is Devil's Snare from the first Harry Potter novel. A possible Latin term for the plant could be Diaboli laqueis.

This plant uses its tentacle-like vines to strangle it's prey, not unlike a snake.

In escaping the Devil's Snare, expose some light upon the plant. It will shrivel and recoil from the light. Casing any lumos spell, or even shining a torch, will cause the Snare to release you.



Harry, Ron and Hermoine fighting the plant. "Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare. It's deadly fun, but will sulk in the Sun." (Image by thepolestar. Devil's Snare is the creation of J.K. Rowling).

Number 3 - St. John's Wort

For our third herb, we'll be looking at the commonly used St. John's Wort, hypericum perforatum.

This herb is used as a treatment for depression and other mental illnesses.

It is dangerous to take St. John's Wort alongside any medically prescribed anti-depressants, as it can cancel out the effects of either medicine, making the taking of them pointless. This is extremely risky depending on the diagnosis. It can also cause photosensitivity.

St. John's Wort can be taken in tablet/capsule form, or as a tea.

St. John's Wort tablets, taken once a day. (Source Unknown.  Product of Kira)