What is the historical context of Alchemy?

The birth of alchemy was in ancient Egypt, and the word was known to describe the fertility of flood plains around the Nile. Like China and Egypt, India cultivated alchemy individually. They would use internal and external techniques to prolong life. In the 8th century, the Arabs brought it to Spain. From there, it spread all over Europe. Western alchemists populated the notion that lower metals could be turned into gold, and that became a vital part of the urban legend of alchemy.

In Europe, alchemy led to improvements in many other chemical processes and the machinery required for them. In the 16th century, the alchemists separated into two groups. One was focused on the discovery of new compounds and their reactions, which led to the science of chemistry. The second involved a more spiritual, metaphysical approach. This approach led to modern alchemy.

Alchemy started in Egypt. The word Khem was used to refer to the Nile flood plains fertility. The Egyptian culture believes in life after death. With that and their beliefs in mummification, it gave them rise to the knowledge of chemistry with the goal of living forever. Independently, Alchemy was developed independently in China by monks.

In China, they were trying to find ways to extend the life and begin trying to do so through methods like Qigong. India is another region that developed alchemy independently. The use both external and internal methods to extend life. Arabs also bought into the belief. Their way was to use metals that were made of mercury.