Azoth

Fourth woodcut illustration from Basil Valentine's Azoth (1613)
Sixth woodcut from the series in Basil Valentine's Azoth

Azoth is a universal remedy or potent solvent sought after in the realm of alchemy, akin to alkahest—a distinct alchemical substance. The quest for Azoth was the crux of numerous alchemical endeavors, symbolized by the Caduceus. Initially coined to denote an esoteric formula pursued by alchemists, akin to the Philosopher's Stone, the term Azoth later evolved into a poetic expression for the element mercury.[citation needed] The etymology of 'Azoth' traces to Medieval Latin as a modification of 'azoc,' ultimately derived from the Arabic al-za'buq (الزئبق), meaning 'the mercury.'[1]

The scientific community does not recognize the existence of this substance. The myth of Azoth may stem from misinterpreted observations of solvents like mercury, capable of dissolving gold. Additionally, the myth might have been fueled by the occult inclinations nurtured by alchemists, who rooted and steered their chemical explorations in superstitions and dogmas.[citation needed]

  1. ^ "Definition of Azoth". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 22 July 2013.