[robinreeve]

As there is a debate on the French forum about potions, I would like to ask the question here :

1) - Can potions be carried (i.e. placed on the table) and used otherwise than taken from one's hand ?

I would say yes, as they are (small) items like other ones.
Some players insist that they only can be played out of one's hand.

2) If the answer is positive, can one, during Charity, place potions from one's hand onto the table, to avoid having to give them to the lowest level player(s) or having to discard them if one is the lowest level player himself ?

I would also say that one can do that - as it is a common practice with other cards and items to use them (within what is allowed during one's turn) rather than give them to other players.