>>742216
Alchemy is not turning wood into gold.
Ancient-medieval people weren't die hard materialists like you. For example, the word Spirit comes from Latin Spiritus which is Breath. Which comes from Koine Greek, however Christians don't believe the Holy Spirit is literally wind. That's ridiculous.
Pre-Christian Hellenics also didn't think the world was literally made out of Fire, Water, Earth, Fire, and Aether. These are analogies to higher concepts and we all inherit this linguistic legacy. Turning wood into Gold means acquiring larger profits.
Most of Alchemy is about Esotericism. They were mostly employed as medics or astronomers, but were Kaballah Philosophers at the same time. What we know as hard sciences and what you seem to believe comes from their philosophical tradition.