I Re-Created a 400 Year Old Alchemy Potion for Depression...and then TRIED IT!

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?
Historical Glassworks - historicalglassworks.com/
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Sources:
Paracelsus - archive.org/details/chirurgis...
Culpeper - The English physitian - archive.org/details/b30324579...
Ulstadt - Coelum philosophorum - archive.org/details/coelumphi...
Hartmann - Praxis Chymiatrica - archive.org/details/b32990649
"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.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

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[@Bildgesmythe]

So nothing happened?

[@mikhaelis]

​@@Bildgesmythehe couldn't respond because he died. Had he used the mercury and antimine it would have neutralized all positions. This is what happens when you don't follow the recipe precisely. Guess what happens when you say the words wrong when you summon a demon?

[@reptilehuntress]

I hope the mercury and antimony weren't included in the cocktail to guarantee you don't kill over....

[@gastonmarian7261]

@@Bildgesmythe would have been nice to have some report of his emotional state over the rest of the day, even if just to confirm there was no noticed shift, but he may not be the kind of person to track those kind of feelings in his journaling

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

"feelings?" "journaling?" What are these things you speak of? But not, no effects so far as I could tell. @@gastonmarian7261

[@TheCommandingChicken]

Hello potion seller, I am going into battle and I want your strongest potion.

[@breannathompson9094]

*Gandalf looking MF hands you a red bull*

[@Fridelain]

You can not handle my strongest potion

[@BEDLAMITE-5280ft.]

How much for a Phoenix Down?

[@KoolT]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@kkech1]

10 minutes later boss drops potion recipe

[@ratboy_]

The real antidepressant was the friends we made along the way

[@JackRebholz]

Real. Comment needs to blow up 😭😂

[@virkots]

Truth

[@roachdoggjr1940]

😮

[@KoolT]

That's a song from Woodstock I think.

[@DariousFloresMusic]

😂❤

[@buzznovo4779]

Normal dads: "Oh, you're depressed? Why don't you just go for a walk?" Dr. Sledge: "Oh, you're depressed? Why don't you just concoct a 17th century paracelsian spagyric medicine?"

[@frankjimenez4601]

Both perspectives aren't how one treat depression.

[@buzznovo4779]

@@frankjimenez4601 I know. It was a joke

[@vince-0923]

@@frankjimenez4601 Dude it’s a joke.

[@talkingmudcrab718]

​@@frankjimenez4601a good walk can work as a healthy stop gap. I don't recommend aquavitae for depression tho. At least not in a habitual sense.

[@jamesfry8983]

@@frankjimenez4601 Of course your right where are the leeches, can't have medicine without leeches.

[@falconJB]

And this is how Esoterica started collaborating with NileRed.

[@acidrat420]

It's like watching NeilRed mixed with some Tasting History lol

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Would be dope to do some kind of collab with him on alchemy topics

[@johnopalko5223]

More like NileBlue. Did you see today's video where he used bird repellent to make a grape-flavored apple?

[@justagirpup]

This @nilered

[@tonybalongna]

@@TheEsotericaChannelyou should

[@seththegreengreen5788]

Look here, magic man. I've been sculpting my golem for FIVE MONTHS! No one to talk to. Gimme the happy juice.

[@dredgewalker]

5 percent alcohol per .5 liters does the job for me.

[@deusexmachinareznov4975]

Sculpting your golem, is that what they call it now.

[@anthonybrongers8961]

​@@deusexmachinareznov4975 lmao 🤣

[@Joxat_]

@@deusexmachinareznov4975 who else out here sculpting they golem

[@nightsazrael]

I am glad that you ingested no Mercury!😇

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Me too!

[@rishikesh1087]

@@TheEsotericaChannel On the subject of Mercury......Any takes on solid mercury? We have it in Indian Alchemy. Most is fake, though I have seen solid mercury that was created by somebody who had/has knowledge of how to do this. I have seen that after sometime the shape does begin to change indicating not a true solid but nonetheless it is solid enough to create a ShivLing that can be worshipped for many years. Do you have knowledge of this?

[@Dane565]

Mercury enough in the 🐠🐟🐠 these days

[@darrinstokke3839]

Makes sense. Glass is technically a liquid and will droop over a long period of time. So with mercury, its molecular structure would still be liquid. Appearing as a solid.

[@Ithirahad]

If it's the metal, just don't put in your kettle. If it's organic, run away and panic.

[@harryhoofcloppen]

As the owner of a high-end craft cocktail lounge, I can’t tell you how excited I am about your absinthe!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I'll let you know as things develop!

[@SalomeTheGreat]

An alchemy bar would be so much fun!

[@TheRobmaynez]

Absinthe is medicine for depression, isn't it?

[@phillipbernhardt-house6907]

@@TheRobmaynez Unfortunately, not if one's kidneys can't handle alcohol. :(

[@djquinn11]

@@phillipbernhardt-house6907: Now that’s depressing!

[@charlesvaughan3517]

Bout 45 sec after he drinks or he starts smiling and talking d&d. I'd call that a win

[@alalit]

And gets decidedly cheery

[@RobDaCajun]

Reminds me of a party that I made some Alchemical Brownies for. Later on in the night we couldn’t decide if the recipe worked. But we were laughing are arses off.

[@PandamaticBreakcore]

I'm a chemist! Some of the early treatments do work. I've seen some vessels labeled 'sweet mercury' in latin that were used to hold a mixture of honey and mercury to treat sore throats. And yes, both honey and mercury have properties which do indeed kill bacteria. Really, much of the history of medicine has involved weighing the curative properties of a substance versus the potential harm it can cause.

[@kimkenny3300]

Still does, right? RIGHT?

[@michaelwright2986]

I suppose chemotherapy for cancer in some part consists of choosing stuff that kills the cancer cells quicker than it kills the rest of the patient.

[@patrickherke8947]

Um are the bacteria killing properties of mercury ever actually a net benefit?

[@YourMomSaysShhhhh]

@@kimkenny3300 Merck has entered the chat. 🤭

[@clayc5929]

@@patrickherke8947 I mean there are very few instances in medicine where “always” and “never” are actually the case

[@bizzarojerry]

As a pharmacy technician, seeing a historical recreation of the roots of my profession has cured my morning melancholy. Thanks! Oh, and if you make any more of these, Doc, please take care not to poison yourself. Maybe get a modern cross-reference on the ingredients list and a spotter with poison control on speed dial? ⚕

[@kaidenstassen4691]

How do you like being a Technician, i feel like the pharmacy you work for determines how much you enjoy P.S. Walgreens is soul sucking 😃

[@vernonbender3384]

You literally brewed a potion. I would like to know how you felt in half an hour or so thereafter. As anyone who's ever brewed or distilled, taking that first sip is flat-out bravery. Huzzah, doctor. Huzzah.

[@13Nader7]

Drinks Potion .. Ophanim : Be Not Afraid

[@irishmanfromengland25]

just... all of them? how many? do you mean the singular opan?

[@free_wifi_kids]

Usually, it's just one that comes to talk to you, BUT there might be a chance you get Metatron if you're special ​@irishmanfromengland25

[@irishmanfromengland25]

@@free_wifi_kids or if you happen to be named Aziraphale.

[@babisbabinos8075]

Lol​@@free_wifi_kids

[@anniebot_45-73]

[insert metatron youtuber joke here]

[@ThermalMermaid]

Can you pop in after 48 hours to confirm you havent grown a tail? Im invested.

[@awarewolves1712]

The video was posted today yet some of the comments are from five days ago. Whatever he concocted is clearly very heavy....

[@ryanstarrfish]

@@awarewolves1712 Yeah but time zones.

[@tylerschoen5643]

@@ryanstarrfish ain’t no 5 day time zone

[@shadesofpurple7283]

@@awarewolves1712 sometimes a video is released earlier to patreon subscribers and only becomes available to us later 😂 you had me questioning my own sanity for a second but the voices reminded me of patreon

[@Poodleinacan]

​@@awarewolves1712 The video was probably hidden first

[@leizylromero]

Butterfly pea flower is a pretty blue food coloring and tea. Mixed with lemon it changes purple. 💙🍋💜

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

There's a nice absinthe colored with them as well!

[@genghisgalahad8465]

@TheEsotericaChannel oooh, there is an early episode of Egyptian Blue LOTUS tincture on Damien Echols' proper channel! Would be a great collab on angelology as well! Along with Greg Kaminsky! That would be a phenomenal esoteric ZZ Top riffing conversation, if I may!

[@PolyesterMoustache]

wild violets have the very same effect, perfectly edible and produce a beautiful deep purpleish blue, but change chemically to a light purple with citric acid. won't do much to change the flavor though

[@nunyabiznes33]

@@PolyesterMoustache well that makes it better than butterfly pea, which have a very legumey taste on its own. One time I prepared it with milk and it tasted like soymilk.

[@r0nea]

You have created the third eye!!! Defies what one would anticipate, where blue and yellow make green. My mind plays with this “logic” via the chakra (wheel) where each chakra is associated to a color within spectrum of the rainbow. Where the 4th heart is green, nestled between the 3rd (yellow) solar plexus and the 5th blue throat between blue (throat chakra)… But here this turns purple which is the 6th third eye.

[@michaelwright2986]

Historical research does not normally require personal courage. You are, sir, a gentleman and a scholar.

[@hopeforthebestx]

This is the most KZbinr thing I think you've ever done. Amazing work sir

[@buttbuttwhat1]

An Ordinary Sausage collab is what is needed.

[@tedmuta6833]

10 seconds in and he’s not smiling - I don’t have high hopes

[@jarredcarlson2479]

Well it’s a potion to cure depression… why do you think he’s making it?

[@dreamgate]

Maybe.. it's like The Cure or Morrissey? As in.. listening to those bands you at least once must think: Damn. At least I'm not THERE THERE. haha. Maybe sometimes you do, but music to me is a kind of .. idk. Frequency shift. that's to say I use music to disarm or "cancel out" how I'm feeling. Likewise.. maybe the taste of a potion is the same.. it's so disgusting you feel much more positive when you realize you don't have to drink that more than once.. therefore "it can't be that bad" ? :D

[@comentaristametaforico9287]

@@jarredcarlson2479 ouch

[@chrisphar2305]

Yeah, he should have been weeping at the pure beauty of it all after 10 min. Maybe try roots next time lol

[@NightmareRex6]

i think "potions" are just g-rated drugs, they are drugs, the dang genshin event with potiosn on now atualy kind of refrenced that potions are just drugs......

[@SepulvedaBoulevard]

Indeed, I have found various distillates to excell at forestalling melancholy, at least temporarily

[@SyntaxErr19287]

Same cannabis and ketamine to name a few

[@kkech1]

The debuff after it wears off sucks tho

[@Mr_Reaps25]

​@@kkech1oh don't even get me started on the possible violence rating increase caused by it as well.

[@mjr_schneider]

I'd honestly buy a Paracelsian alchemical solution if it were for sale (not as a replacement for actual medicine, of course) just to be able to feel like a wizard.

[@coolhandluke1503]

You are a wizard Harry

[@annikajohansson9171]

Not replacing for antidepressants is arguable unless you are suicidal or homicidal

[@davefletch3063]

“ actual “ isnt any different except the production process lacks a coinciding spiritual philosophy. Most modern medicine is most poisonous as a result

[@TheMedWolf]

Probably works better - pure placebo, no black magic of materialist high-throughput biochemical screening for some random receptor activity or whatever BS they’re doing these days. Oh, yeah epigenetic immunotherapy…

[@KoolT]

Try some Very Old Barton it's a little BOURBON cures stuff in Kentucky. 😂

[@ArtyFartyBart]

I've brewed a medieval style beer with most of those herbs in it and I've made my own absinthe on a jerry rigged still in my kitchen. Who knew I was doing alchemy all along...

[@video_camera]

That beer sounds amazing. Do you happen to have the recipe?

[@wendydee3007]

Sounds similar to the traditional Ratafia we used to make in Catalunya. We collected the herbs around St John's eve then macerated everything for 40 days and nights under the sun and light of the moon, in aguadiente. There are at least 25 herbs required, plus green walnuts, citrus and spices, every family has their own secret recipe. In the village I lived in, a group of people would go off collecting the herbs together. We also had a ratafia festival and blind tasting competition every year.

[@patrickherke8947]

did you mean aguardiente or is aguadiente something else?

[@Chickenface12345]

How delightful.

[@video_camera]

Visca Catalunya i la ratafia, collons

[@tadsteiner5814]

True empiricism practiced here, 10/10. Thank you for all your work.

[@DonPeyote420]

At first I was like: "Isn't it a bit early for an April Fools joke?" but then I realized oh snap, Dr. Sledge is actually going to do it!

[@cheshiresphinx4925]

This was really interesting! I'm deffo going to describe healing potions in D&D as tasting like hibiscus-infused gin going forward.

[@steventurner6902]

That was fabulous!!! Thank you for sharing your incredible demonstration of ancient alchemy. This was such a treat to watch and enjoy. I hope you do more experiments like this in the future to show us what alchemy really looked like 👍❤️❤️

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Thanks it was a lot of fun !

[@eshaal1239]

HOW IS THIS COMMENT FROM 6 DAYS BEFORE THE VIDEO IS FROM YESTERDAY???

[@wergthy6392]

@@eshaal1239 Patrons get to watch it early!

[@maeamaryllis_]

I’m a pharmacy technician, and work in a sterile environment. I’ve longed to get into non sterile compounding in part because of the connection to history in this way. I’ve watched your videos for a long time but this may be my favorite one you’ve posted yet. Seeing your antiquarian texts along side the mention on contemporary ones was super engaging and I would love to see more like this in the future, sans poison always😅😍

[@antonnurwald5700]

Yeah i'm gonna buy a ticket for this one. I hope you're letting the camera roll for the transformation part.

[@radmom4612]

No! He cut it off way before anything interesting would have happened, “I’ll let you know in the comments.” Well, here we are, in the comments, and all I see is a bunch of hilarious congratulatory messages, no follow-up in sight! 😅

[@rickc2102]

You drinking that helped me with my melancholy, so I guess it works!

[@RemnantCult]

This upload pops up in my sub box right after taking a depression nap. The universe is funny like that.

[@Leofwine]

It's a sign.

[@ashleydewing1420]

What a fantastic video! Never have I been more excited to do some chemistry research and crack into my old o-chem books.

[@Kewpiiie]

There’s something very funny about the process of “I’m making an alchemical antidepressant” to having to actively try to not make beer 😂 I’ve been watching for a while and this definitely one of my favorite videos of your instantly!

[@Peanutcat]

It would have been really interesting if you brought on board a chemical engineer to try and figure out what kind of chemical compound(s) you actually ended up making at the end.

[@hedgehog3180]

I'm pretty sure it's just a flavored spirit, distillation shouldn't cause any reactions to happen so all that happened is that the ethanol and aromatic oils from the solution got pulled out. The end result is a very strong spirit with some flavoring, he should have tried setting fire to it to get a rough idea of how much alcohol was in it since alcohol burns at concentrations above >50%.

[@ronemmanuel9523]

The yarrow certainly has an intense medow aroma when I pass it in a field. That was the most tension filled video you have done. Need a follow-up to see you are alright.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I'm fine.... probably

[@satariel777]

As if you weren’t already, this has solidified your place as an absolute legend of your field. You have my respect Dr. Sledge.

[@SnugglyBarracuda]

I love so much that you basically said in the best of ways "I took parts of a recipe back before beer production got restricted, and i made an anti depressant recipe with it and some good ole distillation. Tastes terrible" Thank you for making history fun and interesting like always! Cant wait to try the absinthe

[@KristenKras]

Be careful, it made people go crazy in the past - brain rotting stuff. Very strong and not a good thing to become addicted to. The Green Fairy.

[@hedgehog3180]

@@KristenKras I mean Absinthe is just very strong alcohol, there's nothing uniquely addicting about it compared to other forms of alcohol other than its strength.

[@krystilee6078]

This content was incredible! Thank you, I have seen other channels “attempt” to re-create and far and away yours was the most successful and authentic.

[@hassunmujeeb3657]

Oh, I love the title enough to write this comment even before watching the video. I'm going to make myself a nice cup of tea, put you on the big screen and thoroughly enjoy the episode. Totally why I subscribed and had the notification bell ON.

[@Rebecca0010]

This is so fun to watch. I love how authentic you went - the tools are beautiful.

[@heatherrocchi6232]

Historical Glassworks is an excellent source, and have even crafted wares for movies like Ben Hur (2016). Confess I haven't worked up the nerve to use my alembic from them, So nice to see one put to "proper" use!

[@Bildgesmythe]

They're beautiful, but I know I'd break them.

[@jessetosado]

It sounds like Jeagermeister. 😊 Well done, this was fascinating.

[@soullessdhampir]

Yes, please more recreations! This was so fascinating. Also excited to try your absinthe. Ive never had ot before, and after watching your videos on it i want to try.

[@sophiashekinah9872]

I have a suggestion for a possible future experiment: I'm SUPER curious about the purported aphrodisiacal qualities of the Egyptian Blue Lotus.

[@hedgehog3180]

I feel like everything and anything that's mildly exotic has been called an aphrodisiac and honestly I'm pretty skeptical that such a thing really exists.

[@sophiashekinah9872]

@@hedgehog3180 I watched a documentary about the Sacred Blue Lotus with botanists who tested the chemical compounds in the flower, but they didn't prepare it soaked in wine like the egyptians apparently did. They said that based on it's chemical composition, it probably did have a mild narcotic effect. I don't know specifically what chemical compound(s) would make a plant aphrodisiacal, but , I am inclined to agree with your skepticism..

[@tabbi888]

I've smoked egyptian blue lotus flowers before, they definitely have quite a pronounced effect, mostly a bit like a cross between pot and an antidepressant. It also can be very calming and sleepy type thing . Definitely works though .

[@sophiashekinah9872]

@@tabbi888 Nice! Thanks for sharing your experience. I plan to experiment with it myself sometime, but since it's considered "sacred", I want to make sure that I honor it's significance with a meaningful event or intention.

[@natureswrath7665]

Last I checked Blue Lotus is indeed psychoactive, with a relaxing effect plus some anecdotal reports of mild psychedelic like effects aswell as acting as an onierogen (dream enhancer) if taken enough.

[@robertwasylyk6537]

I love all of your videos, but this is probably my favorite! I love to see the practical application of historical things (even if they aren't so practical nowadays!)

[@higgaroc]

I love how much of an esoterica nerd you have always been - I see you out there brother!! 🖤

[@karensimon876]

My antidepressant has four legs and barks.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Mine is knowing I won't exist one day

[@roachdoggjr1940]

​@@TheEsotericaChannel My guy, that very thought has gotten me through some bad times.

[@WWENFLfan]

@@roachdoggjr1940 DaRoachDogg

[@SeekersofUnity]

Professor Principe is shepping nachas. Beautifully done Doc.

[@butonlyus]

This was amazing. I hope it lifted your spirits.

[@calvinwithun6512]

Yup, I fully retract my comment from the other day on your community post! This is fascinating, I enjoyed listening to this a lot :)

[@etherastudios]

9:06 Madame Blavatsky's copy of the Cœlum Philosophorum? You're getting that DL just by being in the same room!

[@kkech1]

This is a banger of a vid and deserves to go viral. Helping out with a like and comment, good stuff!

[@patricknorthrup7708]

Knocking back a cold one with you, Dr. Sledge! God bless you taking one for the team; always wanted to try some historical medicine for some reason!

[@swedebug2889]

I hope you do more of this historical experiments! Loved every minute of this! ❤

[@djiindovah7155]

Dope, love seeing the actual practical applications of esoterica! so much info in this realm feels very theoretical now but it’s also important to remember how much the elders really fuqqed around first just for us to find out

[@aaronlyall1973]

Rose petals would add a lovely colour and is great for positive mood

[@pinkcupcake4717]

Hildegard of Bingen in her Physica states that any concoction stands to benefit with the addition of rose, due to its remarkable virtue as a plant.

[@aaronlyall1973]

@@pinkcupcake4717 I feel the same way 👍

[@adamadeptus3686]

Rose is also Venusian like the other herbs that Dr. Sledge used, so it would fit perfectly.

[@syyneater]

I just started watching, but you’re really putting yourself out here on this one! Eagerly looking forward to the rest of the video!

[@DneilB007]

Yay! The music is back! Didn’t actually notice if it was back earlier; I just noticed it today and it felt comfortable, like a nice vest.

[@clockworkgnome]

This is awesome. I can’t wait for your other alchemical endeavor with the green fairy 💚

[@jamesmihalcik1310]

From the glassware to the yarrow and mugwort, such a wonderful episode. I could almost smell the minty meadow as condensation ran drop by drop from that perfect glass stem. Fantastic!!!🙂

[@justinl2545]

What an interesting episode! I would live to see more alchemical recipes on your channel. Also, really excited to hear about your absinthe that you are releasing. Definitely going to get a bottle when it comes out.

[@rubyxhana]

This is one of the most unique and fascinating youtube videos I have ever seen! I learn so much from your channel

[@bg5126]

now THIS is the content i subbed for

[@ShadowRune]

This is a cool change of pace from your usual fare, as much as I like listening to your dissertations it was kind of cool to see something a bit more experimental

[@olmgaijin9476]

Truly awesome and one of the coolest things I've seen on KZbin, keep up the great content!

[@adrianomaly1760]

So excited to go on this fabulous alchemical journey with your video :3

[@Bildgesmythe]

Absolutely love this episode!

[@kristena5825]

What a cool video! I love alchemy and it was so awesome seeing authentic tools, references and ingredients used to create the end result. So happy this was on my recommended, can't wait to check out your other stuff!

[@RacionalExuberante]

Man, (doctor) I just read the title and was like... wow... you are incredible and as soon is I can I will buy at least a shirt, your content is amazing !

[@IdanEretz]

It was really nice to hear you bless on the Alchemical substance "Blessed be the lord, that everything was done by his word"

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Seems like an alchemical substance should get a specific blessing, but shehakol had to do in a pinch!

[@lynnekassirer7503]

And that you put some "faith" in the sigil on the glass to protect you

[@myadler]

@@TheEsotericaChannel maybe oseh maase bereishis for consuming magical substances.

[@Phantomegaming]

This is gonna be so helpful for writing my alchemist character :)

[@cauebarros1825]

Now that's a good modern KZbin title. Nice to see this new style of video from you!

[@itsdord]

What an original concept for a video, well done!

[@JivecattheMagnificent]

Congratulations in advance for a well deserved 600K.

[@phillipbernhardt-house6907]

Fantastic! That is amazing and very sensible in terms of how you prepared this, and it was beautiful to see these historical instruments and what they do happening! I also have to say: the ASMR-quality to the turning of the pages of the texts you consulted was surprisingly pleasing! I am not an ASMR fan, but when it comes to almost anything having to do with antiquarian tomes, I am fully in. ;) A few of my doctors have been trying to get me to take antidepressants for a while, and I refuse to do so because several of the side effects are things I don't want to trifle with. If the alcohol content of what you produced is low, I would consider taking a few sips of it to see if it actually helps!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

The alcohol content in this case is very high. I proofed down to 50% and that's still high. But I'm certain that big pharma has checked every single compound in these herbs - the blood staunching effects of yarrow have long been isolated and used in trauma kits, for example - so I'm doubtful this would be an effective antidepressant.

[@phillipbernhardt-house6907]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Interesting! I have to watch out for alcohol, unfortunately, because of my kidney issues. You know, too many Brill books! (Actually, that might have been worth it, perhaps! Long-term type I diabetes is the real reason my kidneys are shot, so I didn't even get to be in this situation in any kind of fun way!) Based on what you said of the results, the smell in itself sounds like it would be wonderful to experience!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I'll bring some to kz if you're coming in person!

[@phillipbernhardt-house6907]

@@TheEsotericaChannel I will know in a few weeks if that is possible! But yes, if it works out, that would be lovely! Perhaps we can have a "salon of scent" over such a brew! (Dan Attrell's crowd are pretty famous for their late-night gaming and imbibing sessions!)

[@kylesmith1408]

@@TheEsotericaChannel I've heard yarrow as a folk remedy for altitude sickness as well, if I remember correctly.

[@blu-young-enterprise]

Man I love your channel and thank you for the knowledge. I am slowly catching up with a very different, complicated and entertaining subject ❤

[@crackyflipside]

This would be an excellent series or even a spinoff youtube channel recreating these potions and elixirs, along with your historical background information. Can't wait to see more like these!

[@donnie1725]

That was awesome! Actually made me really interested in looking more into pharmacology and botany. Thank you Dr. Justin Sledge!

[@simonstergaard]

as an organic chemist this channel is super interesting

[@Tydee-zt7yw]

Bravo Dr. Sledge! New favorite channel. Great T shirts! Spreading the word. 🤘

[@siobhanomalley1968]

Been looking forward to this one! I have an enthusiasm for both distillation, and herbalism, so referring to Culpeper got me all excited 😆 and I actually have some bell Heather for making mood-boosting tea. Let's goooo 🙌

[@tron949]

Dude, I was drinking a glass of absinthe while watching this. Crazy! And yes I'm absolutely interested in getting a bottle.

[@lucasviselli8112]

I liked and subscribed as soon as I heard how well spoken you are and saw the effort put into that beard.

[@chilleycheesetoes3225]

i need more alchemical content like. this i loved watching you using the old glassware, it would've been cool to see you mash the herbs or whatever too

[@Aio-Project]

love this type of content! stoked to see more concoctions

[@no-kt4uz]

first video ive seen of yours. I'm coming from lets talk religon. You are funny and thank you for making the alchemy potion. Great witchy vibes for me to enjoy as i do my universities studies.

[@nicolesawyer-jm6ir]

Your amazing !!! This is mind blowing fantastic ! Exactly what I’m into !!! Thank you so much !!! More!!!!

[@EyeSea]

This was great! I'd definitely enjoy more videos similar to this

[@SM-uo1bp]

As a fellow in the distillation arts, I absolutely loved this episode and getting to witness some equipment from earlier times of alchemy in use!! Hitting on multiple areas of my interests in this one, hope to see more of these.

[@Moosyfate]

This was a really fun episode!

[@Moosyfate]

Be sure to let us know if it turns you into a giant green rage monster or something like that

[@u.s.a1749]

My favorite part about old medicines is half the time it was just poison😂 "what did he die from doc? Well we gave him arsenic for his cold so i think it was the cold"

[@Cutenerdywoman]

That's awesome!! Looking forward to hearing your experience after drinking it.

[@gregkral4467]

that was fun, thank you for sharing. Wonderful example of time accurate glassware. Beautiful work.

[@Buchomb]

PLEASE Doc, you’ve gotta make more of these. This was so interesting. Are there any potions with an energizing effect like coffee? What about that make you sleepy? So interesting. Thanks for all your videos!

[@hedgehog3180]

I mean caffeine is basically the only effective natural drug against sleepiness, but you can get caffeine from other plants, black tea for example also has a fairly large ammount of it. Sugar is also fairly effective, which is part of why it is added to Chai and Turkish Tea. Otherwise there's cocaine I guess but that requires a bit more processing to extract. Though sometimes feeling sleepy has more to do with a lack of calories rather than actually being sleepy, in that case sugar can help but only temporarily, if you want something that's longer lasting you should drink or eat something with starches. Starches get broken down slowly in your stomach so you'll feel full for a longer period and that also gives your brain a steady supply of glucose, which it needs desperately because neuron firing costs a lot of energy, hence why mental work often makes you crave snacks. Your muscles on the other hand have their own small stores of energy so they don't need easily accessible energy in the form of sugar, and have time to request the breakdown of fat if they run low. When it comes to sleeping technically opiates work, opium itself can get you to sleep pretty easily but that's also a bad idea obviously. Though sleepiness is in general more variable between people because of neurodiversity, if you have ADHD and don't take any medicine caffeine can actually help you sleep for example. Physiological remidies like warm drinks work pretty well, especially warm milk since it doesn't contain any caffeine or sugar.

[@lashadi1445]

As a fellow habitual herbal healer, I am excited to see how you’re fairing after consuming said concoction. 😊 Also excited to hear more about this absinthe?? 🧚‍♂️

[@fraserbuilds]

Incredible video! Such an awesome way to formulate a recipe! and executed beautifully

[@fast.food.ninjalarry954]

I ve been waiting for this over a month since you mentioned it.

[@jonmcklevey]

I have been anticipating this all week and so happy it exceeded my expectations. Thank you so much for your educational and scholarly contribution to this otherwise overcrowded platform of nothingness. Please continue to be the inspiration and scholar the Divine has blessed you to be.❤

[@dreamingacacia]

I considered cooking as part of alchemy. I want to see more people getting into alchemy but with modern knowledges to shape the ideas of which the ancient alchemy is lacking and mostly misunderstood. Alchemy is so vast that chemistry is just a branch of alchemy. Also it's fun to try various stuffs. Though recently I only work around with cooking sauce because I don't have proper equipments and a source of materials not to mention spaces enough for long term projects. The more people embracing alchemy, the better we could revive folk economy. Big companies don't like it obviously, but it's the only way out for all of us. More importantly, it's more fun. Life as corporate slave is far gone, it's already obsoleted and only a few people would succumbed to such system. Also it's a good thing to introduce to people since sorcery is far too abstract contrary to tangible alchemy.

[@ndorpheline]

This is pure beauty to me, thank you so much for your work!

[@MyWendy19]

Absolutely beautiful, I really enjoyed your channel, and I'm looking forward to more!!