In alchemy, digestion refers to the process by which raw materials are transformed into a more purified or refined state.
This concept is akin to the biological process of digestion in living organisms, where food is broken down into simpler forms for nourishment.
The term is often used to describe the maturation of materials, where a substance undergoes a series of stages that lead to its ultimate transformation.
This process typically involves heat, moisture, and time, allowing the substance to be 'digested' or broken down into its essence.
Alchemy describes several stages of digestion, which are critical to achieving the 'philosopher's stone,' the legendary substance thought to grant immortality and the ability to transmute base metals into gold.