Arnold of Villanova

Early History

Arnold of Villanova The Alchemical Legacy of Purification Arnold of Villanova (1240–1311), a physician, religious reformer, and visionary of his era, stood at the crossroads of science, spirituality, and medicine during the medieval period. Renowned as the personal...

Sumbel

Early History

Sumbel The Role of Boasts and Oaths in the Sumbel Tradition The *Sumbel* or *Symbel* is a rich ceremonial tradition rooted in ancient Germanic culture, where the Old English term *Symbel* and the Old Norse *Sumbl* both translate to “feast” or...

Jabir ibn Hayyan

Early History

Jabir ibn Hayyan The Alchemist of the Islamic Golden Age The Islamic Golden Age, spanning roughly from the 8th to the 14th century, was a period of remarkable advancements in science, medicine, and philosophy. Among the luminaries of this era, one figure stands out...

Avicenna

Early History

Avicenna Avicenna’s Contributions to the Art of Distillation: A Journey Through Time In the annals of history, few figures have left as indelible a mark on the fields of medicine, philosophy, and science as Avicenna. Born in 980 AD in what is now Uzbekistan,...

Tapputi-Belatekallim

Early History

Tapputi-Belatekallim The World’s First Known Chemist & Distiller Tapputi-Belatekallim stands as a remarkable figure in history, recognized as the world’s first known chemist. Her contributions to the field of perfumery and distillation during the 2nd...

Cleopatra’s Pearls

Early History

Cleopatra’s Pearls A legandary tale of a Queen’s Excravagancy Cleopatra’s pearl, a fascinating and legendary tale from antiquity, is associated with the opulent and extravagant life of Cleopatra VII, the last queen of ancient Egypt. The story is...

El Tecuane Taberna

Early History

El Tecuane Taberna The Ingenious Matitán Indians: Masters of Alcoholic Beverages In the picturesque region of Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico, where the agave fields stretch as far as the eye can see, lies the historic site of El Tecuane Taberna. Believed to be a part of...

Al-kuhl, al-kohl, alcohol

Early History

Al-kuhl, al-kohl, alcohol Al-kohl – The Historical Connection Between Alcohol and Makeup The term “alcohol” has a rich and intriguing etymological journey, originating from the Arabic words “Al-kohl” or “Al–kuhl,” which...

Acan & Balché

Early History

Acan & Balché The Mayan God of Intoxication and his Sacred Brew of Balché In the heart of ancient Maya civilization, amidst the verdant jungles and towering pyramids, resides a deity shrouded in mystery and reverence—the god Acan, patron of intoxication, revelry,...