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Elixir facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Élixir Raspail devenu élixir Angelo
An old label from an Elixir Raspail bottle, claiming it helped against sickness.

An elixir is a sweet liquid medicine that people drink to help them get better when they are sick. When used as a real medicine, an elixir contains at least one special ingredient that helps your body.

What the Word "Elixir" Means

The word "elixir" came into English a long time ago, from Latin. Latin got it from Arabic, and Arabic got it from Ancient Greek. In Greek, it meant a "powder for drying wounds."

For many centuries, "elixir" mostly meant something magical used in alchemy. Alchemists were like early scientists who tried to turn normal metals into gold. They also believed an elixir could be a special liquid that could cure all sicknesses or even give someone eternal life.

Different Kinds of Elixirs

Elixirs can be divided into different types based on what they are used for.

Non-Medicated Elixirs

These elixirs don't have active medicine in them. Instead, they are used as a base liquid to help dissolve other medicines. Think of them like a special juice that helps mix the real medicine evenly. They often contain a small amount of alcohol, usually between 15% and 50%. This alcohol helps keep the medicine dissolved and fresh.

Medicated Elixirs

These are the elixirs that contain actual medicine to help you feel better.

  • Allergy Elixirs: These help people who have allergies. They can stop sneezing, itching, and runny noses. Examples include medicines like chlorpheniramine maleate or diphenhydramine HCl.
  • Sleepy Elixirs: Some elixirs are made to help you relax and feel drowsy, while others are stronger and help you fall asleep.
  • Kids' Elixirs: These are special elixirs made for children, like chloral hydrate, which can help kids calm down or sleep.
  • Cough Elixirs: These medicines help you cough up mucus from your chest when you have a wet cough. An example is terpin hydrate.

East Asian Vitamin Drinks

Since the 1950s, special non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated "vitamin drinks" have been very popular in countries like Japan, South Korea, and China. One famous example is Oronamin from Otsuka Pharmaceutical. These drinks often come in dark bottles and are seen as healthy drinks, especially popular with older people or those who care about their health.

These are different from Western energy drinks, which usually have caffeine and are aimed at younger people. Energy drinks often have bright labels and claim to boost your performance.

Old "Cure-All" Drinks

In the past, there were many drinks called "patent medicines" that claimed to cure all kinds of illnesses. These were often sold without much scientific proof and usually didn't work as promised.

What Elixirs Are Made Of

An elixir is mainly a mix of water and alcohol, with at least one active medicine in it. The alcohol is important for several reasons:

  • It helps dissolve the medicine and other ingredients.
  • It stops sugar from turning into crystals.
  • It helps keep the medicine fresh for longer.
  • It can give the drink a sharper taste.
  • It can help hide the unpleasant taste of the medicine.
  • It can make the flavor better.

Usually, the smallest amount of alcohol that can dissolve the medicine and make a clear liquid is used. Too much alcohol can make the elixir taste strong or burning.

Elixirs can also have other ingredients called "excipients." These don't have a medical effect themselves but help make the elixir better. They can include:

  • Sugar or sugar substitutes like glycerol or sorbitol, to make it sweet.
  • Preservatives like parabens or benzoates, to keep it from spoiling.
  • Antioxidants like BHT, to protect the ingredients.
  • Buffering agents to keep the liquid at the right acidity.
  • Chelating agents like EDTA, to help keep the ingredients stable.
  • Flavoring agents to make it taste good.
  • Coloring agents to give it a nice color.

How to Store Elixirs

Elixirs should always be kept in a container that is tightly closed and protects from light. They should also be stored away from direct heat and sunlight to keep them effective and safe.

See Also

Images for kids

  • Elixir Mondet gentiane affi

    An old poster from 1899 advertising Elixir Mondet.

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