An elixir is a sweet liquid used for medical purposes, to be taken orally and intended to cure ones illness. When used as a pharmaceutical preparation, an elixir contains at least one active ingredient designed to be taken orally. The word "elixir" was introduced in late Middle English, through Latin from Arabic al-ʾiksīr (الإكسير), which in turn is the Arabization of Greek xērion (ξήριον) "powder for drying wounds" (from ξηρός xēros "dry") .
The composition of an elixir is a hydro-alcoholic solution of at least one active ingredient. The alcohol is mainly used to solubilize the active ingredient(s) and some excipients, retard the crystallization of sugar, preserve the finished product, provide a sharpness to the taste, aid in masking the unpleasant taste of the active ingredient(s), and enhance the flavor. The lowest alcoholic quantity that will dissolve completely the active ingredient(s) and give a clear solution is generally chosen. High concentrations of alcohol give a burning taste to the final product.
The ingredients of an elixir can vary depending on the purpose of the elixir. For example, in alchemy, the "elixir of life" was a magical drug that was believed to cure all ills and give eternal life. It was usually a solution of a corrosion-resistant metal, such as gold, and was mentioned as early as the 1st century BC. In modern times, elixirs can be created by combining ingredients with alchemical properties, such as herbs and minerals. Each alchemy ingredient has four randomized potential effects, and the key to a successful elixir is to combine several ingredients with the same effects. If two or more effects are matched in the ingredients, that effect will also be present in the final elixir.
Some elixirs available in the market today include Bemetic Plumping Elixir, which contains water, isopentyldiol, methylsulfonylmethane, ethoxydiglycol, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, and other ingredients. DPH-Elixir Oral and Elixir Oral are elixirs used to relieve cough and cold symptoms. They may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems, so it is important to talk to a pharmacist for more details before using them.
