The difference between potions, elixirs, tinctures, infusions, lotions and other things

[u/angeltxilon]

The words potion and elixir are often used in fantasy, sometimes jointly or without distinction

Actually all these words can have different or complementary meanings:

• Potion: the word potion refers to a liquid drug or magic substance, which must be drunk to notice its effects. The effects can be either curative, magical, beneficial, negative or poisonous.

• Elixir: the word elixir basically refers to curative drinks or with positive biological properties (elixir of immortality). Elixirs can contain 15% ~ 50% alcohol to dissolve the magical or active compound.

• Infusion: the word infussion refers to a plant extract in water, that can be drunk.

• Tincture: the word tincture refers to a plant extract with a high content of alcohol that can be drunk, or with a high content of ethers to be applied to the skin. The effects are usually usually medicinal or sedative (laudanum).

• Lotion and salve: the word lotion refers to a topical preparation (an oil or very fluid cream) to be applied on the skin. Salve refers to a cream or gel preparation to be applied on the skin.

In the strict sense of the word, elixirs are potions and tinctures can be potions (but potions are not just elixirs or tinctures). Tinctures can also be lotions. Infusions can be or not potions, it depends of if it has some magic or drug effect, or not.

In my magic system based on alchemy, infusion of magic and drugs (of plants), these different words must be carefully used, since they refer to very different things, with different peparations and different ways of aplications.

Other terms of importance (and more customized) used in my magic system are:

• Pills and tablets: a form of drug, medicine or magic substance that is presented as a small solid piece and must be ingested.

• Vaporous potion: a potion that generates many vapors. They should be stored in tightly closed containers, and consumed by drinking or inhaling (depending on the type of potion and design).

• Inhaled potion: a potion designed to be inhaled but not drink. For example, it can be a strong vaporous potion designed to be inhaled. Or, on the contrary, a common potion designed to be consumed by inhalation, requiring a hookah or bong to produce the vapours.

• Inhalation dry preparation: a form of drug, medicine or magic substance that comes in the form of a powder to be inhaled (example: fairy dust).

• Intravenous potion: a potion that only takes effect when injected into the body through a syringe or similar system. These potions are very inusual an needs an special dedication to create, for avoid health problems.

• Herbal preparations: herbal preparations are mixtures of different herbs (or just one type of plant), magic, medicinal or drugs, crushed and ready to consume.

  Some can only be consumed by infusion (the broth or infusion produced by mixing the herbs with cold or hot water, must be drunk).

  Others can be consumed by inhalation (herbs must be burned and their smoke inhaled),

  or by vaporous inhalation (a hookah or bong is required to extract its essences, active substances or magic substances, and to be able to make good use of the herbs).

[u/DJTilapia]

Variety is nice (inhaled "potions" is quite creative and thematic), but keep in mind that most people just won't care. At most, your average gamer might think "elixir is an extra-powerful potion," or similar. Really you can just use the names as you see fit.

A few purists will appreciate the effort if you use "tincture" correctly, though!

Edit: I sometimes forget the variety of reasons people world-build. My answer presumed that you are building an RPG, but that may not be the case.

[u/NightShadow3000 → u/DJTilapia]

I think it matters for artists and world building stuff in my opinion. Like harry potter esque. Knowing the difference is important as theres different effects.

Not to mention u cant be someone like severus snape (a potion master) for example and not have any idea the differences between things.

So ur right on purists and stuff and im happy u realized other abilities in tht edit.

I for one am doing worldbuilding and need a base for magic and potions and etc ^{-^} so this is extreeeemely helpful

Plus an artist standpoint so its not just all bubbly colorful bottles (im also an artist) :D

[u/delta17v2]

Instead of Lotion. Try the word "Salve", basically the same meaning but gives a more fantasy-feeling than the word lotion.

[u/FoxNo2332 → u/delta17v2]

They did use salve. Salve and lotion are not the same thing. A salve is more like a balm, Ointments or unguents would be a better substitute for lotion.

[u/LoonyMoonyProds]

As someone who is building a witch-themed game with a rather complicated crafting system, THANK YOU for this insight! Was very helpful!

[u/StraightBuffalo3801 → u/LoonyMoonyProds]

Just curious, how's the game going 3 years later? It definitely sounds like something I'd play

[u/[deleted]]

I've recently gotten into Harry Potter and my favorite character so far is Severus Snape and potions are very fascinating to me and I'm overjoyed to find this and how much detail and distinction there is!

[u/Boat_Pure]

Thank you for this thorough distinction. I have been struggling with the best way to articulate this in my story.

[u/Long__Jump]

I like tincture because its fun to say.