Prologue

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BITTERSWEET NIGHTSHADE (Solanum dulcamara)

Species of vine in the genus Solanum of the family Solanaceae, found within creeks and wetlands, as well as field edges, gardens and roadsides. Common names include bitter nightshade, poisonberry, poisonflower, scarlet berry and violet bloom.

Considered a versatile and potent potion ingredient, bittersweet nightshade carries the properties of restoring emotional balance in potion drinkers, accelerate natural healing processes in potions and acting as a catalyst, amplifying the magical properties of other ingredients in potions.

When consumed, human saliva breaks down the glycoalkaloid solanine contained in the plant into various sugars. The flavour is sweet, but all parts of the plant are very poisonous.

Mythologically speaking, all nightshade species, including bittersweet nightshade, are believed to be dimensional travelers. They embody the dissolution of boundaries, traversing the liminal spaces between realms and blurring the distinctions between opposites.

Its existence serves as a reminder of the fluidity of boundaries—those between good and evil, harmless and dangerous, light and dark, material and spiritual.

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