Sylvia Rose
Nitric Acid: Aqua Fortis the Acid Queen
Nitric acid, called the Queen of Acids or aqua fortis (strong water) is a vital chemical compound with significant importance in fields...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 63 min read
Niter (Saltpeter): Science of Alchemy
Niter or saltpeter (KNO3) is the mineral form of potassium nitrate. A soft substance easy to grind, it creates colorless to white...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 54 min read
Mother of Vinegar & Microbial Life in a Bottle
Mother of vinegar ( Mycoderma aceti ), is a fascinating compound of life, with a range of health benefits and versatile uses. The Mother...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 45 min read
Valerian: Natural Health & Essential Oils
Valerian ( Valeriana officinalis ) is known for its calming properties. It's a prominent plant in natural health and herbal medicine....
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 43 min read
Fermentation: Yeast & the Active Microworld
Fermentation is among the oldest of alchemical processes. It's used intentionally by c. 8000 BCE to create honey mead, a blend of...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 23 min read
Tartrate Crystals: Secrets of Tartaric Acid
Tartrate crystals appear on the bottom of a wine glass or in a bottle of grape juice, created by a reaction of tartaric acid. Reference...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 22 min read
Red & White Tartar: Wine Salts of Alchemy
Red and white tartar are ingredients used by ancients and yet today. Alchemists have great interest in salts, waters, spirits and...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 23 min read
Glauber: Preparation of a Golden Spirit of Wine
Preparation of a Golden Spirit of Wine, a medicinal potion, is a recipe from the writings of Dutch-German alchemist Johann Glauber . He's...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 26 min read
Making Lixivium: Alchemy of Lixiviation
Lixiviation or leaching is an ancient process alchemy still used today in making tea, extracting dyes and ores. Lixivium is a general...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 14 min read
Ammonia: Formation, Hazards & Reactions
Ammonia is a simple yet mysterious versatile compound vital to life on Earth. Explore its formation, historical significance, potential...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 14 min read
Best Mortar & Pestles for Artists, Chefs, Scientists
The mortar and pestle as a unit is about 35,000 years old. With many varieties available today it's important to choose the best mortar...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 14 min read
Spirit of Wine of the Wise: Alchemy Recipe
Spirit of wine, or spirits of wine, is a common alchemical ingredient in medical remedies and recipes of chemical transformation. This...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 305 min read
Chalcedony Gems: Secrets of Silicon Dioxide
Silicon dioxide (SiO₂), or silica, holds fascinating secrets within its molecular structure. It's one of the most abundant minerals found...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 294 min read
Hydrogen Peroxide: Chemistry, Production, Risks
Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) is one of the most versatile chemicals today due to powerful oxidizing properties and a wide range of...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 295 min read
Magnetite: Ubiquitous Iron Ore with Soul
Magnetite is an iron ore formed below the earth's surface. As one of the primary iron ores it keeps the wheels of progress turning....
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 283 min read
Litharge: Toxic Lead Mineral of Science & Art
Litharge (PbO) is a lead oxide mineral with an alpha and beta structure. It's among the most prominent of the lead oxides known due to...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 285 min read
12 Renaissance Medicines & Treatments
In the Renaissance new healing treatments come to light, many based on ancient medicine. In the 17th and 18th century these include...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 284 min read
Robert Boyle & the Great Alchemical Debate
Born in Ireland in 1627, Robert Boyle plays a significant role in the 17th century "scientific revolution". His groundbreaking...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 273 min read
Steam Distilling Floral & Herbal Essential Oils
Distilling essential oil can be used for aromatherapy, in cuisine, beauty, healing or to set a mood. Here's the methodology to capture...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 273 min read
Fulminating Silver: Dangerous Explosives in Alchemical Science
Fulminating silver is a term applicable to a number of silver base d explosives which "fulminate" or detonate easily and violently,...
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