History of Haarlem Oil: The Dutch Alchemy

The History of Haarlem Oil dates back to the 18th century and its history is connected to the Dutch alchemy.

Claas Tilly is renown elaborating his Medicarnentum Gratia Probatum during the year 1696. As Claas Tilly had been honored for the composition of the remedy known to cure kidney and bladder illnesses, he owed his success to Professor Hermann Boerhave, who added the point of detail in the production. Hermann Boerhave, Professor at the University of Medecin, Leyde, was one of the most famous doctors at this time. As Professor Hermann Boerhave participated in the benefits of this medicine that rapidly found its popularity, the ethics of his profession prevented him from associating his name with an object from an industrial ownership.

The Genunine Haarlem Oil is produced in a factory equipped with sophisticated, intricate and expensive equipment. The ingredients follow a process that take several days, in which the particular chemical preparation and difficult analysis has permitted the Tilly Family to preserve the secret of the production during 200 years. Claas Tilly passed away during the year 1734, after being successful in the affair. His sons, Koning Tilly, followed by G. Koning Tilly succeeded him.

Unfortunately, the business has ended after Claas Tilly's death. It was probably due to the competition and the numerous imitations that hindered the quality of the product and its reputation. During this era, the reputation of Genuine Haarlem Oil had spread throughout Europe and the other parts of the world. Thus, many families at Haarlem tried to copy this elixir. The only resemblance was having the same name but never the secret of the formula made by Claas Tilly and Hermann Boerhave in 1696 originally.