======Healing Spells and Charms======
=====Introduction=====
Healing Spells are a branch of [[Magic]] devoted to the mending of physical injuries, the curing of ailments, and the alleviation of pain. This discipline, known as magical healing or healing magic, encompasses a wide spectrum of complexity, from simple charms that fix minor injuries to powerful, song-like incantations required to counter the effects of severe [[Dark Arts]]-related wounds.
While not a core subject in the standard [[Hogwarts]] curriculum, proficiency in healing is an essential skill for any wizard or witch. The school's Matron, [[Madam Poppy Pomfrey]], is a master of healing magic, treating students for everything from common colds to regrowing entire sets of bones. Professional practitioners are known as [[Healer]]s and typically work at specialized institutions like [[St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]].
=====Known Healing Spells=====
The following are specific healing spells with known incantations and documented uses within the wizarding world.
  * **[[Anapneo]]**
    * A spell that clears a person's airway if it is blocked. It was used by [[Professor Horace Slughorn]] on [[Marcus Belby]] in the [[Hogwarts Express]] when the student began to choke on a large bite of pheasant.
  * **[[Brackium Emendo]]**
    * An incantation intended to mend a broken bone. When used ineptly by [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] on [[Harry Potter]]'s broken arm, it instead caused all the bones in the arm to vanish, requiring a painful night of treatment with [[Skelegro]] potion to regrow them. This spell and its incantation are unique to the film adaptation. (film)
  * **[[Episkey]]**
    * A minor healing spell that mends smaller injuries such as a broken nose or a split lip. [[Nymphadora Tonks]] used it to repair Harry's nose after it was broken by [[Draco Malfoy]] on the [[Hogwarts Express]]. [[Harry Potter]] later successfully used it to fix [[Demelza Robins]]'s mouth after she was hit by a [[Quaffle]].
  * **[[Ferula]]**
    * A charm that conjures bandages and a splint, binding them to a wounded limb. [[Remus Lupin]] used this spell on [[Ron Weasley]]'s broken leg in the [[Shrieking Shack]] to immobilize it for transport back to the castle. It is a form of magical first-aid rather than a direct bone-mending spell.
  * **[[Rennervate]]**
    * A reviving spell used to bring a person back to consciousness after they have been stunned or knocked out by magical means. [[Albus Dumbledore]] used it on [[Viktor Krum]] in the [[Forbidden Forest]] during the [[Triwizard Tournament]], and Harry later used it on Dumbledore in the crystal cave. In some earlier editions of the books, the incantation was printed as //Enervate//.
  * **[[Vulnera Sanentur]]**
    * A powerful and complex healing spell used to treat severe, deep cuts. It functions as the counter-curse to [[Sectumsempra]]. The incantation must be repeated three times like a song. The first repetition slows the flow of blood, the second cleanses the wounds, and the third knits the flesh back together. [[Severus Snape]] used this spell to save [[Draco Malfoy]]'s life after Harry attacked him with [[Sectumsempra]].
=====Related Magical Healing=====
In addition to specific spells, healing in the wizarding world is often accomplished through other magical means.
  * **[[Potions]]**: Potions are a cornerstone of magical healing.
    * **[[Essence of Dittany]]**: A potent magical plant extract that, when applied to an open wound, causes new skin to grow over it. [[Hermione Granger]] used it to heal [[Ron Weasley]]'s splinched arm.
    * **[[Skelegro]]**: A dreadful-tasting potion that forces the regrowth of missing or removed bones over several hours.
    * **[[Mandrake]] Restorative Draught**: A powerful antidote made from mature [[Mandrake]]s, used to cure those who have been petrified, notably by a [[Basilisk]].
  * **[[Magical Creatures]]**: Certain creatures possess innate, powerful healing properties.
    * **[[Phoenix Tears]]**: The tears of a [[Phoenix]] are the only known antidote to [[Basilisk]] venom and have powerful general healing properties. [[Fawkes]]'s tears healed [[Harry Potter]]'s fatal wound in the [[Chamber of Secrets]].
  * **General Charms**: Highly skilled practitioners like [[Madam Pomfrey]] frequently use non-verbal charms and unspecified incantations to perform complex healing, such as mending multiple bones simultaneously or treating curse damage that leaves no visible trace.
=====Notable Practitioners=====
  * **[[Madam Poppy Pomfrey]]**: The Matron at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], known for her exceptional skill and no-nonsense approach to healing.
  * **[[Severus Snape]]**: Displayed expert-level knowledge of healing, particularly in relation to the [[Dark Arts]], by perfectly executing the //Vulnera Sanentur// counter-curse.
  * **[[Healer]]s**: Professional wizards and witches trained in magical medicine who work at facilities like [[St. Mungo's]].
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince//, [[Hermione Granger]] uses //Episkey// to heal Harry's broken nose on the [[Hogwarts Express]], taking over the role performed by [[Nymphadora Tonks]] in the novel. (film)
  * The incantation //Enervate//, used in early editions of //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//, comes from Latin //enervare//, meaning "to weaken." This was later corrected to //Rennervate// in subsequent editions, from a root combination that more accurately means "to give strength back."
  * The spell //Brackium Emendo//, used by [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] in the film version of //Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets//, does not appear in the book. In the novel, Lockhart simply attempts a "simple charm" that goes wrong. (film)