Fullmetal Alchemist: What Makes Alkahestry Different?

gamerant.com:

In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood there are two different forms of magic, for lack of a better word. Alchemy, which is practiced in Amestris, and Alkahestry which is practiced in Xing. Much more is known about Alchemy than Alkahestry, mainly because only one character in the show is known to be able to practice it, but also to an extent because it is a foreign technique that even the main characters profess to have never heard of before they are exposed to it themselves. While both have very similar results they are extremely different at their core; in intentions, origins, and practice.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows the story of Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers, as they go on a quest to find the philosopher's stone. This is a tool that Ed believes he can use to return Al’s soul to his mortal body. Both the body and Ed’s arm and leg were lost in a tragic accident when the boys were just children. Out of grief at the loss of their mother, the two boys broke the most important taboo in alchemy and attempted human transmutation.

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Where Alchemy was invented by Father, Alkahestry was invented by Van Hohenheim when he came to Xing from Xerxes. He aided the people of Xing for two reasons. Firstly to create a counter for Father, who had ultimate control over Alchemy. Secondly, because the people of Xing were so obsessed with extending life that they had actually killed three generations of nobles in an effort to create an elixir of immortality. While the people of Xing refer to the practices before The Philosopher of the West came as Alkahestry as well, it wasn’t until certain metaphysical practices were imbued to the art that it actually gained any healing value. This makes