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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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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,...

Sylvia Rose
Nov 4, 20244 min read
29 views


Fungal Biofilms: Ecology of Biofilm-Producing Molds & Yeasts
Fungal biofilms are integral to ecosystems. Often unnoticed, these living structures exemplify microorganism cooperation in survival,...

Sylvia Rose
Nov 4, 20245 min read
32 views


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


Oil-Dwelling Microbes: Bacteria, Yeast & Mold
Culinary oils are teeming with microbial life such as bacteria, molds, yeast and other fungi. Popular oils like olive oil, vegetable oil,...

Sylvia Rose
Nov 3, 20246 min read
26 views


Silent Destroyers: Microbial Corrosion of Concrete
Microbial corrosion of concrete by bacteria, fungi and algae destabilize structures of home and environs. While the impact of weather,...

Sylvia Rose
Nov 2, 20243 min read
13 views


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
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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
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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
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Science of Alchemy: Alchemical Innovations
Alchemy these days is often seen only as a mystical practice purveying the clic hé of turning base metals into gold. Alchemy is in fact...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 30, 20246 min read
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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...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 29, 20245 min read
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Amoebae: Microbial Predators on the Move
Amoebas live in nearly all environments of Earth. Unique adaptations and survival strategies of these canny microorganisms make them...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 29, 20247 min read
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Malevolent Microfungi: Hazards of Health & Home
Microfungi are invisible organisms until they flourish and form colonies. Among these are malevolent microbes dangerous to health, crops,...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 28, 20245 min read
16 views


Microfungi: Mysterious Web of Life & Death
Microfungi, including molds, mildews, and rusts create a vast hidden universe. These unseen eukaryotic organisms are essential to...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 28, 20246 min read
18 views


Advances in Chemistry 1600-1800: German
Chemistry from 1600 to 1800 yields transformative discoveries influential today. In the German lands this era is characterized by...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 27, 20245 min read
15 views


Scientific Revolution Europe 1543-1687
The Scientific Revolution, from 1543 to 1687, transforms human understanding of the natural world. This period involves events and...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 27, 20248 min read
13 views


Sodium Carbonate: Natural Formation to Modern Application
Sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash or washing soda, is prominent across various industries for millennia. It's used in ancient and...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 25, 20245 min read
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