Wizarding Pharmacopoeia

• Type: Reference Book (Potions text)
• Owners: Known to be held in collections such as the Hogwarts Library.
• Maker: Various authors.

A wizarding pharmacopoeia is a type of book that serves as an authoritative and comprehensive reference on Potion-making. The specific appearance of any individual pharmacopoeia is not described in the novels, but they are likely to be substantial, detailed tomes similar to other advanced reference books found in the Hogwarts Library. The only named example in the series is a volume titled Purest Potions Pharmacopoeia.

The primary purpose of a wizarding pharmacopoeia is to provide detailed information about potion ingredients, brewing instructions, and the effects of magical concoctions. They are particularly noted for their contents on poisons and their corresponding antidotes. These books are not standard curriculum texts like Magical Draughts and Potions, but are rather advanced, specialised resources used for in-depth research. Hermione Granger used the Purest Potions Pharmacopoeia to investigate the dark magic associated with Dolores Umbridge's Black Quill, demonstrating its use as a tool for identifying the properties of magical substances and curses.

While the specific history of wizarding pharmacopoeias is not documented, the existence of such specialised texts implies a long-standing tradition of codifying advanced Potions knowledge. The term itself mirrors the Muggle practice of creating official publications listing medicinal drugs, suggesting a parallel development in the wizarding world for standardising and referencing potent magical substances.

The main reference to a pharmacopoeia occurs in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Hermione Granger, concerned about the bleeding on Harry Potter's hand from his detentions with Dolores Umbridge, searches for information on the Black Quill in the Hogwarts Library. She specifically consults the Purest Potions Pharmacopoeia, hoping to find information on a quill that writes with blood or a relevant antidote. Her search proves fruitless, which highlights the unique and sinister nature of the Dark Artefact Umbridge is using. The mention of this book serves to illustrate the depth of Hermione's research efforts and establishes the severity of Umbridge's methods, as they employ magic not even documented in advanced texts on poisons and potions.

The term “pharmacopoeia” is a real-world term for an official publication containing a list of medicinal drugs with their effects and directions for their use. J.K. Rowling's use of this term adds a layer of academic realism to the magical discipline of Potions.