In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, you can buy potions from most magic- and alchemy-focused merchants, especially in the Imperial City and Mages Guild halls.

Main places to buy potions

  • Imperial City – Market District
    • The Gilded Carafe sells cure disease potions and ingredients like mandrake root, and it reliably restocks them.
* The Main Ingredient, near the Arena gate in the same district, is another dedicated alchemy shop with potions and ingredients.
  • Mages Guild halls (all cities)
    • Every city’s Mages Guild has an alchemist-type merchant who sells healing and other magical potions.
* This is often the easiest early-game source: just join or visit the local hall and talk to the resident alchemist.
  • Other magic supply shops
    • Stores like the Mystic Emporium in the Imperial City and other “magical supplies” shops across Cyrodiil carry random potions, including healing.
* Stock is partially random, so some visits may have fewer or weaker potions than others.

Extra ways to get potions

  • Dungeon and mage loot
    • Conjurer and necromancer dungeons are great for looting healing potions, since many mages carry one or two each.
  • Make your own with alchemy
    • You can buy ingredients in bulk from alchemy shops and Mages Guild vendors, then combine any two with the same effect to create potions.
* Simple novice restore health potions can be made from common ingredients like lady’s mantle plus venison or cairn bolete mushrooms.

Quick example route

  1. Fast travel to the Imperial City Market District.
  2. Visit The Gilded Carafe first for cure disease and general potions.
  1. Walk over to The Main Ingredient for more potions and ingredients.
  1. If you still need more, hit a nearby Mages Guild hall and check the alchemist vendor.
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Location What you get Notes
The Gilded Carafe (Imperial City) Cure disease potions, mandrake root, other potions Reliable restocks; Market District shop.
The Main Ingredient (Imperial City) Healing and utility potions, ingredients Near Arena gate in Market District.
Mages Guild halls Healing and magic potions from alchemists Every city has one; easy recurring source.
Mystic Emporium & magic shops Random potions and magical items Stock is random; check occasionally.
Conjurer/necromancer dungeons Looted healing potions Mages often carry 1–2 potions each.
**TL;DR:** For fast, reliable buying, hit The Gilded Carafe and The Main Ingredient in the Imperial City, then check any Mages Guild alchemist; for bulk, start crafting your own with alchemy.