Thursday 9 February 2023

Part 4 The Making of JOAN - Researching Nicholas Flamel

Researching Nicholas Flamel 

History was now getting very interesting.  Nicholas Flamel and his wife Perenelle lived in the early part of the 14th Century which was filled with rumours of magic, stories that legends are made of, and Nicholas was an alchemist, a scientist, an educated man. He owned his own bookshop and was a scrivener to all. Despite being a strongly religious man he was attributed with discovering how to turn lead into gold. 

Years later he, more than his wife, was said to have discovered the secret of immortality, a blasphemous accusation for any religious person. He was simply an alchemist, a man of science, a scrivener and bookshop owner living a simple life, giving whatever he could to those less fortunate than himself. 

He and his wife created sanctuary for the homeless, a refuge in Paris that still stands today in the form of a Restaurant. They did so much for others that their memory has been immortalised for centuries – despite being given the accolade for his discoveries, none of it has been proven, but then what is this we now find...?

Part of my research uncovered a treasure of a find - an Elixir for Longer Life! 

Is this what people have been considering as the elixir for immortality? During medieval times it would have been normal to live for forty maybe fifty years on average, it could be seen therefore, anyone living beyond those years, when the rest of their family or friends were dead, could be considered immortal!

The discovery I found is called Chartreuse: Elixir de Vegetal and consists of 130 flowers, plants and herbs distilled in alcohol and is produced by the Carthusian Monks using a closely guarded secret recipe that dates back over 400 years. It is said to have been prescribed by French doctors until recent years as an actual medicine as a potent medicinal liqueur.

The elixir should be consumed in tiny quantities. Only a couple of drops are needed

* in a cup of hot water, Lemon and Honey,

* in a tisane,

* as a "bitter" to add strength and flavour to cocktails, 

* on a sugar cube.

Known as an "Elixir of long life" the Elixir Vegetal is believed to have health giving properties and can be taken to:

* ease Digestion,

* cure tiredness, sickness and discomfort,

* restores a sense of  wellbeing and vitality.

The Elixir Vegetal needs to be stored in its own protective wooden case, away from the light, to keep it in perfect condition.

Additionally, which I think adds to its mystery, is the fact that only three monks ever know the recipe at any one time. Two know only half the recipe each whilst the third knows when and how to bring them together for storing in the wooden barrels in the cellar of their monastery.

For more modern day use the Elixir has been developed into a slightly lower volume alcoholic liqueur sold as its natural colour of green or with honey where it turns into a yellow coloured liqueur suitable for the more popular cocktail / wine bars of present day.

Out of curiosity, I bought a bottle of the Elixir de Vegetal and took some.  Strangely enough, within three weeks of starting the three drops a day on a sugar lump, my platelets, which had been low for five years and needed monitoring every three months, returned to normal... go figure... FASCINATING!! J

 Chartreuse: Elixir de Vegetal is available on Amazon Prime


I'm so excited!

I'm so excited! I'm so excited and I just can't keep this to myself, but I've finally finished the first draft of my next bo...