The Warhammer apothecary trade skill uses ingredients found through cultivating and can turn them into potions, powders or lotions. It would be wise to be able to pair your characters or friends with different professions to gain the maximum benefits off each profession. There are many different type of potions and can provide various abilities. Some can add very low stats but have long durations while another of the equivalent level have higher stats but shorter duration.
The Warhammer talisman making profession has not been fully released yet but it allows you to create talismans. Warhammer Talismans are known as the minor items of power which can be attacked to certain armors, weapons and grants permanent bonuses to that item. Only rate and powerful items are able to have talismans placed onto them. To create a talisman, you will need a contain along with the magical fragments and essences received from a player with the magical salvaging profession.
Every profession will yield its benefits. Gathering professions are better during the beginning of the game since you do not have any resources to craft nor yet may want to spend that Warhammer Gold to level up your crafting. A gathering profession can definitely reap its reward early. The crafting skill may be what you prefer mid to end game when you have all the resources at your hand. Whichever profession you should decide to go with, it's always best to pick one up early on the game. You can learn these trade skills from a trainer as early as the second Chapter of each faction.