Alchemical Symbolism in the VMS

[Searcher]

Prompted by a discussion in another thread, I have the following question: the Arab alchemists in the ninth and tenth centuries proposed that all metals are composed of two basic "principles": Sulfur and Mercury. The union of alchemical sulfur and mercury in the perfect proportions should result in the Philosopher's Stone. But what about the salt ?  As far as I know, Paracelsus added salt to create a trinity of alchemical elements. Unfortunately, I do not know any more sources that support this assumption. Does anyone know more about this ?

As much as I know, Paracelsus made the triple principle usual and widespread. Of course, salt was in alchemy from ancient times, but generally it wasn't included to the main principles, since mostly prevailed the conception of duality, while some Arabic authors used the system of triad before Paracelsus.