China is the oldest continuous civilization in the world. Its history spans thousands of years including the Yellow River culture,...

Fermentation in brewing transforms sugar into alcohol through the action of a vast colony of one-celled, immotile microbes. Top...

Yeast is a single-celled fungus essential for fermentation. It transforms simple sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, a process...

Sublimation is a process of refinement, purification or extraction of specific elements. The aludel, a unique alchemical apparatus, is...

Alchemy through the ages is a science affected by personal spirituality and religion. Rooted in ancient practices, alchemy takes shape in...

Andreas Libavius (c. 1550-1616) is one of the most influential figures of Renaissance alchemy, active in the Elizabethan era. His book...

Zaffre (zaffer) is a vibrant deep blue pigment developed by alchemists, major pigment creators, by c. 1550 AD. Characterized by brilliant...

Flowers of antimony are a purified form of antimony trioxide (Sb2O3). Created through sublimation, they have chemical and medical...

Ammonium carbonate [NH4]2CO3 is the main ingredient in Victorian smelling salts. Also called baker's ammonia, sal volatile , salt of...

Glass of antimony , or vitrum antimonii , gives warm yellow or red hues. As Sb2O3, its use in alchemy is largely medicinal, one of many...

Johann Georg Faust or Doctor Faustus is an alchemist, physician and magician, a cryptic figure of the German Renaissance. Perceived by...

Galen of Pergamon (c. 129 - 216 AD) is well known in the history of medicine. His extensive writings and theories prevail for over 2000...

In practical alchemy, mercury II oxide (HgO) is often called the "Red Precipitate," with its compound Mercuric Amidochloride (Hg(NH2)Cl),...

Liver of Sulfur is a unique compound of alchemy, metallurgy and medicine. Also known as hepar sulfuris or sulfurated potash, Liver of...

Pyrometallurgy is the high-temperature processing of ores to extract and refine metals. It uses alchemical processes in a modern...

Chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) is vital to the earth's geology. A primary ore of copper, this scintillating mineral is influential to health,...

Copper (Cu) and its warm golden red hue is part of humanity. It's one of the most important metals of alchemy , aids plant health and is...

Scheele's Green is a rich, vibrant green. Its color appeal surpasses that of the copper carbonate paints of the late 18th century and...

Chlorine (Cl) is a vital element in nature, used in industry as a disinfectant. Characterized by its highly reactive habits, chlorine is...

Potash is a mineral group prized in agriculture, health and human life though history. Potash covers various potassium-rich salts,...