Realgar and orpiment are arsenic sulfide minerals, bright orange and yellow respectively, used in medieval alchemy and medicine.

Medicinal Uses

Despite their toxicity, these minerals were ground into powders and used to treat skin diseases, parasites, and infections.

They were believed to have purifying properties, capable of cleansing the body of impurities.

The Danger

These treatments were highly toxic and could cause severe poisoning. Their continued use demonstrates how medieval medicine sometimes dangerously bordered on alchemy and magic.

  The Use of Gold and Silver: Precious Metals for Healing

Gold and silver were not just symbols of wealth but were also used medicinally.

Medicinal Beliefs

Gold leaf or powder was sometimes ingested or applied to wounds, believed to purify the blood and restore vitality.

Silver, known for its antimicrobial properties, was used to make containers for water or wounds, and silver nitrate was sometimes used as a cauterizing agent.

Legacy

Today, silver still has recognized antiseptic qualities, and gold compounds have been used in modern medicine for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. shutdown123