Sylvia Rose
Fermentation & Rot: Comparing Processes
Fermentation and rot are natural processes. While they may seem synonymous, a closer look reveals the differences between the two....
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 113 min read
Hildegard von Bingen: Nature, Music & Beer
Hildegard von Bingen is a German Benedictine abbess and polymath often called the Sibyl (Prophetess) of the Rhine. She transcends...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 116 min read
Women Brewers: Brewing History of Europe
Women have a significant role in brewing through history. Before brewing is industrialized, it's a domestic activity seen as providing...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 116 min read
Eight Dye Plants & Natural Dyes in History
From vibrant reds extracted from roots to the deep blues synthesized from leaves, plants have abundant natural dyes and also health...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 104 min read
5 Syphilis Treatments of European History
Syphilis is a complex disease, leading to unusual and alternative treatments in history. A sexually transmitted disease, syphilis is...
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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 35 min read
Ethyl Alcohol: Science of Solvents & Booze
Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is the primary ingredient in alcoholic beverages. A clear, colorless liquid, it has a chemical formula of...
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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
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 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 264 min read
Ardent Spirits Alchemy: the Fiery Elixirs of Life
Ardent Spirits in alchemy are liquors obtained after repeated distillations from fermented fruit and vegetables. They are thus called...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 224 min read
Indigo: Extract Dye from Indigofera Tinctoria
Indigo, deep blue dye from the Indigofera tinctoria plant, often associated with blue denim, is one of humanity's oldest dyes. The...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 223 min read
Alchemy: Ancient Mordant Recipes for Fabric & Stones
Alchemy of the ancients includes skills such as preparation of dyes, pigments and mordants for fabric and stone. Purple dyes are...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 213 min read
Mordants - Essential Ancient Dye Techniques
Mordants are part of the dyeing process and help achieve vibrant colors. Dyeing fabrics goes back to the Stone Age. Mordants are also...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 215 min read
10 Wise Plants & Herbs for the Elixir of Life
The Elixir of Life manifests as potion, tea, powder, water, oil or soluble salts. This mystical creation is said to bestow immortality or...
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