Ammonium carbonate [NH4]2CO3 is the main ingredient in Victorian smelling salts. Also called baker's ammonia, sal volatile , salt of...

Galen of Pergamon (c. 129 - 216 AD) is well known in the history of medicine. His extensive writings and theories prevail for over 2000...

Iodine (I) is an essential element in biology, industry, science and health. It's known for its intense violet gas and strong odor....

Metal salts are compounds created from metals and acids. In history and today they enjoy uses in beauty, natural health, chemical...

Chloroauric acid H[AuCl4] is a yellow solution created in the 18th century. A gold(III) salt, chloroauric acid is an innovative compound,...

The Renaissance brings a unique approach to medicine. Based on the Four Humors theory of health the Galenic way, purging the body of...

Jan Baptist van Helmont (1580 - 1644) is a Flemish physician, alchemist / chemist and natural philosopher. A disciple of Paracelsus , he...

Catalase is an enzyme found in carbon life forms, including humans. It's known for its exceptional ability to decompose hydrogen peroxide...

Microbes are invisible and exist everywhere, in air, water and soil. Scientists find microbes living in the charred soil wildfires leave...

Gum arabic, also known as acacia gum, is a natural substance derived from sap of Acacia trees, especially Acacia senegal . This sticky,...

Flowers of sulfur, often termed flowers of brimstone, are crumbly pale yellow powders popular with chemists, botanists, and artisans....

Some graphics may be disturbing. Disease in the European Renaissance takes a grave toll. Ancient killers include smallpox, malaria,...

Spirit of wine, or spirits of wine, is a common alchemical ingredient in medical remedies and recipes of chemical transformation. This...

Carbuncle has many meanings. Today it most often describes a deep red almandine garnet gemstone cut with a smooth, convex face or...

In the Renaissance new healing treatments come to light, many based on ancient medicine. In the 17th and 18th century these include...

Oil of Brick is known as Oil of Philosophers by alchemists and Oleum de Lateribus  (Oil on the Sides) by apothecaries. This medicinal and...

Arcanum Joviale is an alchemy medicine made of metal salts, taken to induce sweating. While the term sudorific is introduced in 1626,...

The Elixir of Life manifests as potion, tea, powder, water, oil or soluble salts. This mystical creation is said to bestow immortality or...

Renegade physician Paracelsus is one of the most dramatic figures of the European Renaissance. Doctor, alchemist, astrologer,...

Arnaldus de Villanova (1240 - 1311) is a prominent figure of medieval alchemy, literature and medicine. He comes from Spain, studies at...