Sylvia Rose
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...
top of page
Sylvia Rose
4 days ago4 min read
Potash: Agriculture, Plant & Garden Health
Potash is a mineral group prized in agriculture, health and human life though history. Potash covers various potassium-rich salts,...
5 views
Sylvia Rose
6 days ago5 min read
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...
6 views
Sylvia Rose
Nov 14 min read
Sanguine: Red Chalk of Renaissance Masters
Sanguine is a rich, reddish-brown chalk beloved by Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo. Creating flesh-like tones in the human form...
5 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 295 min read
Science of Alchemy: Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid is a powerful chemical. Used from old alchemical practices to modern times, this colorless, pungent-smelling liquid is...
12 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 295 min read
Renaissance Purgatives & Ancient Remedies
The Renaissance brings a unique approach to medicine. Based on the Four Humors theory of health the Galenic way, purging the body of...
8 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 287 min read
12 Steps to the Magnum Opus: Ripley Scroll
Alchemy seeks the magnum opus or great work. This twelve step program comes from the anonymous Ripley Scroll, so called as alchemist...
7 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 278 min read
Scientific Revolution Europe 1543-1687
The Scientific Revolution, from 1543 to 1687, transforms human understanding of the natural world. This period involves events and...
10 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 265 min read
Jan Baptist van Helmont: Renaissance Medicine
Jan Baptist van Helmont (1580 - 1644) is a Flemish physician, alchemist / chemist and natural philosopher. A disciple of Paracelsus , he...
11 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 213 min read
Alchemy: Circulation & the Pelican Phantasy
Circulation is one of many processes of alchemy. The purification of a substance is achieved through circular distillation in a pelican...
20 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 216 min read
Heavy Metals Cadmium, Mercury, Lead, Chromium & Arsenic
Toxic heavy metals cadmium, mercury, lead, chromium, and arsenic are elements known for high density and toxicity even in small amounts....
11 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 214 min read
Lactic Acid Bacteria: Nature to Modern Uses
Lactic acid bacteria are important to fermentation of human foods like yogurt, pickles and cheese. Their transformative powers might seem...
14 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 204 min read
Separatory Funnel: Alchemy Lab Equipment
A separatory funnel is an essential piece of laboratory equipment used in liquid-liquid extractions, allowing alchemists to separate...
10 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 195 min read
Alchemy & Heat: Decomposition of Horse Manure
Decomposing horse manure is essential in the alchemical process of digestion. A flask of substances is buried in dung. As if by magic the...
19 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 195 min read
Meet the Microbes - History of Microbiology
Microbiology explores the world of microbes or micro-organisms. It reveals a hidden dimension of unseen forces shaping health,...
9 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 184 min read
Acetic Acid Bacteria for Vinegar Artisans: Acetobacter
Acetobacter bacteria are a group of acetic acid bacteria species integral to natural processes such as turning wine to vinegar. Their...
18 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 174 min read
Gouache Painting: Artist Essentials & Art Tips
Gouache painting has a unique charm and offers versatility for artists and art appreciators. This unctuous type of paint delivers vibrant...
15 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 154 min read
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,...
10 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 143 min read
Make Black Ink or Paint Pigment with Soot
Soot, also loosely called lampblack or carbon black, is traditionally used to make ink, painters' pigment, medicines and makeup. A...
8 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 134 min read
Flowers of Sulfur (Brimstone): Creation & Uses
Flowers of Sulfur, often termed Flowers of Brimstone, are crumbly pale yellow powders popular with chemists, botanists, and artisans....
16 views
bottom of page