Ahoy mates! Here I have what I call The Master Formula for potions. It is a formula that can get you ANY level of ingredient for one type. The Master Formula is ideal for making high level ingredients such as essences, gems, and it can, if not interrupted, create one soul. Here are my screenshots of how to use The Master Formula, using gold coins. Remember that ANY ingredient can be used, not just gold. This method will also work for, say, crab ingredients.
You start with the gold coins. Now, place them in a central area of the potions board, and drop a total of three so that they combo to form the next level up of gold on the elevated part of the central board. Repeat this on the other side. It'll look something like this:
Next, drop more gold coins on top of what you have above, so that you now have two level 2 ingredients stacked up on top of each other, each in the center of the board. Place two more gold coins on top of each stack, but NOT a third. If you put a third there, it will combo into another level 2 ingredient, and you will have to restart! It will look like this:
Now, simply drop one gold coin into the center of the stack, between the two "towers", and voila! One soul! Or if you have an ingredient that is less than a soul, you will get those.
I know, I probably need more screenshots, and I'll see if I can get some more tomorrow. Anyway, I hope this helps some of you who are not too great at potions. Tell me what you think! I hope my wording wasn't too confusing...