Elixir
Elixir
Elixir (pronounced: /ɪˈlɪksər/) is a term used in pharmacology to describe a sweetened, aromatic solution of alcohol and water, serving as a vehicle for medicinal substances.
Etymology
The term "elixir" is derived from the Arabic word "al-iksir", which is a form of the word "al-iqsir" (الإكسير) meaning "miraculous substance". This was borrowed from the Greek "xērion" (ξήριον), which referred to a powder for drying wounds, and was itself derived from "xēros" (ξηρός), meaning "dry".
Usage
In medicine, elixirs are used as a delivery mechanism for oral drugs, often used when the drug is not easily soluble in water. They are also used in herbal medicine and homeopathy as a method of delivering plant extracts.
Related Terms
- Tincture: A solution in which a medicinal substance is dissolved in alcohol.
- Syrup: A thick, sweet liquid used as a base for medicinal substances.
- Suspension (chemistry): A mixture in which small particles of a substance are dispersed throughout a gas or liquid.
- Solution: A homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Elixir
- Wikipedia's article - Elixir
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