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Liver of Sulfur: Alchemy, Metal & Medicine
Liver of Sulfur is a unique compound of alchemy, metallurgy and medicine. Also known as hepar sulfuris or sulfurated potash, Liver of...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 15, 20245 min read
12 views


Algae in Glass Houses: Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an amazing natural powder ground from the sedimentary stone diatomite. The stone itself is made of fossilized...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 14, 20244 min read
13 views


Cornstarch: Cuisine, Beauty, Cleaning Uses
Cornstarch, also called corn flour, is a common ingredient worldwide. A fine, white powder processed from endosperms of corn kernels,...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 9, 20245 min read
23 views


Lye (NaOH): Caustic Soda for Soap & Glass
Lye or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a vital part of human history. Also called caustic soda, lye is a white odorless solid. A strong...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 5, 20244 min read
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Glycerin (Glycerol): Darling of Cosmetics, Health & Science
Glycerin, also known as glycerol or glycerine, is a simple polyol compound with the chemical formula C3H8O3. This colorless, odorless,...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 4, 20246 min read
16 views


Metal Salts: Ancient History to Modern DIY
Metal salts are compounds created from metals and acids. In history and today they enjoy uses in beauty, natural health, chemical...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 2, 20246 min read
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Guar Gum: Unique Qualities for Art & Crafts
Guar gum is recognized for its unique natural properties in visual arts and crafting. From enhancing textures to creating custom paints,...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 1, 20245 min read
9 views


Aromatic Cold Oil Infusions: DIY Alchemy Perfumes
Aromatic cold infused oil is a rich artisan tradition of culture and the art of allure. This ancient form of perfume-making connects...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 31, 20244 min read
5 views


Artisan Perfumery: Four Degrees of Fragrance
Perfumes are grouped according to their strengths. Every fragrance has a purpose, from a fresh splash of rose or mint to mysterious...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 30, 20243 min read
16 views


DIY Perfume Artisans: Top, Middle & Base Notes
DIY perfumes are all about crafting a unique signature scent or giving fragrance as a gift, the benefits of aromatherapy and expression...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 30, 20243 min read
8 views


Practical Alchemy of DIY Perfumes & Aromas
The alchemy of perfumes goes back thousands of years. Here are the practical aspects of perfumes in ancient and medieval times, how...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 30, 20244 min read
11 views


Alchemy of Perfumes: Scents, Cologne, Rose Water
Perfumes are prized in ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China. The word “perfume” comes from Latin per fumum ,...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 30, 20243 min read
7 views


Powder of Algaroth: Antimony Oxychloride Purgative
Antimony oxychloride or Powder of Algaroth is a compound first appearing in 15th century Europe. During the Renaissance Powder of...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 29, 20244 min read
17 views


White Lead Toxic Beauty, Art, Ancient Production
White lead, lead(II) carbonate or PbCO₃, has a long sordid history in art, paint and industry, a major source of white for artists and in...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 22, 20246 min read
23 views


Talc (Magnesium Silicate): Beauty, Art & Industry
Talc or hydrated magnesium silicate is a naturally occurring mineral, primarily composed of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. With its...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 18, 20245 min read
26 views


10 Ancient Spices of Trade, Health & Beauty
Spices come from distant lands along ancient trade routes. These commodities bring flavor to food, health and beauty to consumers and...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 16, 20246 min read
22 views


Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum) Art, Food & Medicine
Gum arabic, also known as acacia gum, is a natural substance derived from sap of Acacia trees, especially Acacia senegal . This sticky,...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 15, 20244 min read
16 views


Secrets of Xanthan Gum for Artists & Chefs
Xanthan Gum, a versatile ingredient with various applications, is a growing trend in multiple industries. In art and food it's valued as...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 15, 20244 min read
22 views


Gum Arabic, Guar, Xanthan: Guide for Artists & Artisans
Thickening gums such as gum arabic, guar and xanthan gums are indispensable for creation of inks and pigment by individual or industrial...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 15, 20245 min read
38 views


Elemental Carbon (C) Science & Secrets
Carbon is the ubiquitous element. Art, beauty, science and health pivot around the life force of carbon. Here's the nature of carbon, its...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 15, 20245 min read
15 views
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