The Hermetic Art of Alchemy remains very much shrouded in mystery. But, to better understand how the alchemical revolution of Paracelsus transformed medicine, I've recreated something of a Spagyric potion using historically accurate methods, herbs and equipment. By consulting several original volumes of alchemy, herbalism and distillation wisdom and using an exact reproduction of a 17th century alembic, I've re-created an alchemical treatment for melancholy! Follow me as I discuss the theory and practice of early modern alchemical medicine by re-creating a Paracelsian inspired cure. And....why not give it a try?

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Sources:

Paracelsus - [ Ссылка ]
Culpeper - The English physitian - [ Ссылка ]
Ulstadt - Coelum philosophorum - [ Ссылка ]
Hartmann - Praxis Chymiatrica - [ Ссылка ]

"Melancholly. To comfort the Brain; of singular use,
1. Elixir Proprietatis of Paracclyus.
2. Essence of Saffron, extracted with distill'd water or of Vines is made of Vine branches cut, and distill'd that keep.
3. Liquor of Silver, of which above.
4. Extract of Alkermes, with the Extract of Gum Landanum with a little Amber and Musk added thereto, and made up in Pills.

Note. Extract of Alkermes must not be made with spirit of other Menstruum, only the juice of the sweet smelling Apples is Extract may be the longer kept, if after the Confection is propered it be mis∣ed with Spirit of Wine: the other Preparation see above in the Chap. of Con∣fortatives.

5. Extract of the Azure stone. ℞. Of the Azure siene as much as you please, burn it six or seven times, and as often quench it in spirit of Wine, untill it be reduced to powder, and with water of Melissa, cleanse it from its earthy filth, then reduced it to very fine powder, and with spirit of Wine digesrit in a warm place for three or four weeks; afterward draw ost the spirit of Wine by Di∣stillation, and that which remains carefully keep. This is the Extract of the Lazure stone. Dose from ℈ ss to ℈ j. In Melancholly, Epilepsie, Vertigo, and momentane Head-ach: In the Quartane it is an excellent Remedy, being ex∣hibited with appropriate Liquor.

Paracelsus, as a specifick Medicine for Melancholly prescribes flowers of An∣timony to be taken with a little Treacle, two, three or four times, by reason of the contumacy of the Disease.

Powder of Fumitory hath been often given to Melancholly, persons, and they have been cured: Also water and conserve of Elecampane, and Essence of the lesser Selandine, in hypochondriack Melancholly wonderfully help.

Zwingerus in the Hypochondriack. ℞. Of the five opening roots of each ℥ ss, Bugloss, Cardu-bened. of each one part, Wormwood a little, Fennel seeds ʒ j, wild Saffron, ℥ ss, Leaves of Sena ℥ ij and ss, Agarick, white Tartar of each ss a dram, Ginger, Cinamon, of each ʒ j; Cleanse these and put them in Wine; Three Cups of this must be taken every morning for three weeks together, or till the Disease be removed.

Of great Renown among Physicians is this Secret Water in Hypochondriack Melancholly most convenient; ℞. Flowers of Borrage, Bugloss, Staecados of Arabia, of each ℥ ss, Rosemary, Majoran, Melissa, of each ℥ ij ss, Root of Bug∣loss ʒ ij, Piony ʒ j, Water of Bugloss, Borrage, of each ℥ iij, Syrup of Pomgra∣nate ℥ ij ss, Powder of Cinamon gross, Galangal, Cloves, Sassron, Seeds of Ba∣silicon of each ʒ j; Pour upon them •rx;. iij of Rhenish Wine, let them stand in infusion two or three dayes; then distil them in Balneo."

- Bazilica chymica, & Praxis chymiatricæ, or, Royal and practical chymistry in three treatises : wherein all those excellent medicines and chymical preparations are fully discovered, from whence all our modern chymists have drawn their choicest remedies : being a translation of Oswald Crollius, his Royal chymistry, augmented and inlarged by John Hartman : to which is added his Treatise of signatures of internal things, or, A true and lively anatomy of the greater and lesser world : as also, The practice of chymistry of John Hartman, M.D., augmented and inlarged by his son Croll, Oswald, ca. 1560-1609., Hartmann, Johann, 1568-1631., Lover of chymistry., Hartmann, Johann, 1568-1631. Praxis chymiatrica. English.

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