Alchemy from Mystery to Medicine

Summary

Alchemists relied on astrology, chiromancy, and clairvoyance as the fundamentals for health and medicine but were often misquoted as black magicians whose sole mission was the search for ways to transform base metals into gold. They, however, originated many methods of processing chemicals that are still relevant today. Alchemical practices and philosophy can be found in all the worldʼs great traditional medical systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, Spagyric Medicine, etc. This article will discuss how alchemical and medical ideas and practices changed over time, how they reflected the experience of individual scientists and practitioners, and the extent to which they contributed to significant changes in medical science.

Key words

Alchemy - Paracelsus - Plant alchemy - Spagyric tinctures - Spagyric essences

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