Eye of Newt

Eye of Newt is a potion ingredient of unknown effect, an eye taken from a newt. The phrase is also featured in the song "Something Wicked This Way Comes."

In "bloodthirstier" times in wizarding history, before the passage of Legislation regarding animal cruelty, young wizards and witches were expected to personally pop out the newt eyes they were using in potions.

Behind the scenes
As featured in "Something Wicked This Way Comes," this phrase and in fact the title of the song itself originates from the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
 * Pottermore