Alchemy & Herbalism

Alchemy is fundamental when it comes to herbalism. An Understanding Alchemy helps provide a complete understanding of plants and their possible and potential healing aspects.

Alchemy is an ancient practice. It is a practice that involves transforming one type of material into another. There are two types of Alchemy. Exoteric which represents the material. Changing materials based on the use of elements. The second is Esoteric which is mental and spiritual. You cannot have one without the other.

Chemistry actually derives from Alchemy.

There are four elements, and Three principles. Planets are even aligned with alchemy. The three principles are Sulphur, Salt, and Mercury. The planets each represent a material as well. The Moon represents Silver, Mercury is quick silver, Venus is Copper, the Sun is gold, Mars is Iron, Jupiter is Tin, and Saturn is lead.

The Magnum Opus or the great work is to refine and purify any material to it's final form. Even if you are changing it to make a new form.

There are seven stages in Alchemy, and most of these are used in herbalism as well.

Stage 1: Calcination- Burning a substance to ash

Stage 2: Dissolution- Dissolving the substance to a liquid

Stage 3: Separation- Separating materials after dissolution to get rid of the un-needed materials and keep the good.

Stage 4: Conjunction- creating a new form with what's left from the dissolution and separation

Stage 5: fermentation- the new form is taking shape

Stage 6: Distillation- purifying the new form

Stage 7: Coagulation- everything I solidified the new material is formed and complete to its purist form

When doing herbalism, you are using alchemy. By using alchemy, you are breaking down a material and extracting different parts. Pick herbs based on their properties and desired outcome.

•••••Using alchemy and herbalism•••••

Select your plant based on its properties and what you are desiring and outcome to be. It is best to harvest when the herb is at its peak potency, clean the selected carefully thoroughly.

Heat the plant and place in a bag seal the bag and let it sit for one to three days or 24 hours. Water vapor that accrues on the bag does not disappear. The molecules on the bag are essential oils from the plant. These molecules are known as the spirit of the plant.

----placing a plant in alcohol creates a tincture, which treats colds, coughs, fevers, allergies, migraines, and other ailments

----- burn remaining plant to create an ash

Combine the ash, essential oil, and tincture to a ratio that specific to your desired outcome.

You may need to filter or distill the mixture for further purification.

Taking the vapor and adding it to a carrier oil which I had mentioned in my magic oil post can create oils to aid in migraines , cough, stuffy nose, etc.

****** please make sure that you do your research on the properties of plants and herbs so you can figure out what is needed for your full herbal remedy.

Each herb has a property that is used to aid in an ailment.

Some common herbs and their properties are listed below:

Cinnamon- supports digestion, blood functions, menstruation, and immune response

Dandelion greens- rich and vitamin A and C, and B complex. It also has iron, zinc, and potassium. It helps with the urinary track, upset stomach, and healthy skin.

Thyme- natural antioxidants, and helps inflammation

Peppermint- helps the gastrointestinal system. Should be used in moderation due to its natural occurrence of menthol and menthone.

Turmeric- can be used to be ingested or topical. However, if use topical, please note that it can stain clothes and skin. It has pouted and accidents, helps with brain in cognitive support, digestion, immune support, and cleansing of the liver.

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