What were Alchemy and potions like in 1500s?

Answer 1

That times did brought us to an undeveloped scientific thinking. Two major innovations in the West and Near East pushed their technological advancement in front of that of the Chinese. The first was glassblowing. Although the Romans were greatly skilled glassblowers, the art was lost with the fall of their Empire, and only returned to Europe through the Arabic nations, who had kept the skill alive. Much of chemistry can be done only under glass, since other ceramics tend to interfere with the reactions.

The other innovation was more of a theoretical one. The Renaissance, beginning around 1350, marked an upsurge in the popularity of science as well as the more well-known artistic revolution. For the first time, Islamic scholars were admired by many Christians, rather than despised as devil-worshipping sorcerers. Of course, the power of the Church had not fallen from the Dark Ages, and often pioneering scientists were persecuted as evil magicians and witches. There were not many text on potions and the ones were kept hiding.

Answer 2

Alchemy in the 1500s was a blend of mystical beliefs and early chemistry, with practitioners attempting to transform base metals into gold and discover a universal elixir of life. Potions were often herbal remedies created to treat various ailments or magical concoctions believed to have supernatural effects. Both alchemy and potions were closely tied to the occult and were not widely accepted as scientific practices during this time.