Paracelsus ( 11 November or 17 December 1493 in Einsiedeln , Switzerland â `` 24 September 1541 in Salzburg , Austria ) was an alchemist , physician , astrologer , and general occultist . He was born Phillip von Hohenheim , later taking the name Philippus Theophrastus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim , and the title Paracelsus , meaning `` equal to or greater than Celsus '' . Paracelsus ( born Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim , 11 November or 17 December 1493 â `` 24 September 1541 ) was a Renaissance physician , botanist , alchemist , astrologer , and general occultist .