Dose Makes The Poison Today I’d like to tell you about a Swiss gentleman named Paracelsus.  Often called the “father” of modern toxicology and pharmacology, Paracelsus was the first to articulate a principle that still underpins toxicology today: “The dose makes the poison.” He argued that no substance is inherently toxic; it all depends on how much of it you take. Even substances we consider harmful can be beneficial in tiny amounts. Paracelsus famously used…

Oldest Pharmacy Florence is world-renowned for its rich cultural heritage, home to Renaissance art, grand architecture, and literary giants like Dante Alighieri. Yet, tucked away in this treasure-filled city lies a lesser-known marvel: the oldest functioning pharmacy in the world. The Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy was founded in 1221 by a Dominican monk who began cultivating herbs to create medicinal balms, tinctures, and perfumes for their monastery and local patients. Officially opened to the public…