Theophrastus Paracelsus

Theophrastus Paracelsus (1493–1541) was a Swiss physician and alchemist who challenged traditional medical ideas by emphasizing observation and experience over ancient texts. He believed that minerals, chemicals, and natural substances could treat illnesses, laying the groundwork for modern pharmacology. Paracelsus also promoted the idea that the body’s health depended on balancing internal energies and that understanding nature’s laws was essential for effective healing. His innovative approaches helped move medicine toward scientific methods, influencing future doctors and researchers.