elixirs

Elixir is a term used for a liquid preparation believed to have healing, restorative, or life-prolonging properties. The word derives from the Arabic al-iksir, meaning essence, and entered European usage through medieval medicine and alchemy, where elixirs were associated with the quest for immortality and the philosopher’s stone.

Historically, elixirs figured prominently in alchemical and early pharmacological traditions. They were often described as potent, universal remedies made from herbs, minerals, alcohol, and sweeteners. Myths surrounding the elixir of life or quintessence circulated alongside practical preparations, many of which served as medicinal tonics or general cures rather than true immortality-inducing substances.

In modern pharmacology, an elixir is a specific category of liquid medicine intended for oral administration. It typically consists of one or more active ingredients dissolved in a hydroalcoholic solvent, with added sugars or syrups and flavorings to improve palatability. This formulation is distinct from tinctures, which are alcoholic extracts with little or no sweetening, and from syrups, which are sweetened, often non-alcoholic solutions. Preparations may include stabilizers and preservatives and are generally labeled with instructions on dosage and storage. Some jurisdictions limit alcohol content in pediatric elixirs.

In culture and literature, elixirs appear as magical potions or symbols of rejuvenation, frequently linked to broader myths about immortality, healing, and transformation.

See also: tincture, syrup, pharmacopoeia, philosopher’s stone.