'alkahestical' originates from 'alkahest', a term coined by Paracelsus, a Swiss alchemist, where 'alkahest' was believed to be a universal solvent.

'alkahest' was introduced in the 16th century by Paracelsus and eventually led to the adjective form 'alkahestical'.

Initially, it referred to the universal solvent, but over time it evolved to describe anything with dissolving properties.