Alchemy, historically speaking, refers to a philosophical and protoscientific practice that aimed to transform base metals into noble metals like gold, as well as discover the elixir of life and achieve spiritual enlightenment. In the context of its historical origins, alchemy did not violate natural laws; it was an attempt to understand and work within the framework of the natural world as it was understood at the time.
However, modern scientific understanding and the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology have evolved significantly since the days of traditional alchemy. According to our current scientific knowledge, the transmutation of elements, such as converting base metals into gold, is not feasible through conventional chemical processes.
Alchemy as it was practiced historically is considered more of a precursor to modern chemistry, and many of its concepts and techniques laid the foundation for the development of scientific disciplines. While some of the ideas and practices of alchemy may seem mystical or unscientific from a contemporary perspective, they were an important part of the historical progression toward our modern understanding of the natural world.
So, in summary, alchemy, as a historical practice, does not violate natural laws as it was an attempt to comprehend and work within the confines of the knowledge and understanding available at the time. However, its goals and methods are not compatible with our current scientific understanding and the laws governing the natural world as we know them today.