Alkahest is a divine panacea or healing substance and solvent. During the Renaissance, alchemists are intrigued by the healing concepts of alkahest. As a universal solvent, alkahest is reportedly able to dissolve any material, including precious metals like gold.
In alchemy the alkahest reveals hidden virtues and the essence of a substance. Releasing its potential for healing and transformation, it's similar to the legendary substance azoth. The quest for alkahest became a central focus for many alchemists.
The existence of alkahest is a subject of intense debate within the circles of alchemy and philosophy. While some see it as the ultimate key to unlocking secrets of the universe, others question its existence, perhaps a figment of imagination caused by breathing too many fumes.
Despite conflicting perspectives, the allure of alkahest continues to captivate minds of scholars and practitioners. Recorded reference to alkahest goes back to renegade Swiss physician and alchemist Paracelsus (1493–1541) in the early16th century.
Paracelsus' writings and teachings on alkahest provide valuable insights. He has many followers and an unorthodox approach of lecturing in German instead of Latin, so everyone can understand. He invents Spagyria, plant alchemy; chemistry in medicine; and gnomes.
Paracelsus has a strong connection to the Hermetic, Neoplatonic, and Pythagorean influences fundamental to the Renaissance. Hermeticism, a complex and multifaceted philosophical and spiritual tradition, emerges from the Alexandrian Golden Age in the early centuries AD.
Paracelsus conflates the alkahest with the Philosopher's Stone. He suggests medicinal uses for alkahest. It can fortify the liver and potentially serve as a therapeutic intervention for liver disorders. His own recipe includes caustic lime, alcohol, and carbonate of potash.
Many alchemical recipes, including the one for the alkahest, are frequently kept confidential. Numerous alchemists seek the universal solvent, resulting in later discovery of various recipes, some abandoned in the experimental stages.
Scientists such as Robert Boyle (1627–1691) posit the alkahest has a microstructure of tiny uniform corpuscles. This structure lets the alkahest's corpuscles pass among those of different materials.
It divides them without changing their original properties or affecting the alkahest itself. This feature suggests the alkahest has the potential for unlimited use and sets the alkahest apart from regular corrosive materials unsuitable for continuous use.
By the 18th century the alkahest is an opium dream as scientists turn to other methods more conducive to the Four Humors theory pervading western medicine since the time of Hippocrates. This theory is finally disproven in 1850 AD with the discovery of germs.
The alkahest, arousing much dispute in theoretical form, is not known to exist in physical or metaphysical form. This doesn't stop practitioners even today in the quest for truth.
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