An elixir (from Arabic: إكسير Iksīr; from Greek ξήριον xērion “powder for drying wounds” from ξηρός xēros “dry”) is a clear, sweet-flavored liquid used for medicinal purposes, to be taken orally and intended to cure one’s illness. When used as a pharmaceutical preparation, an elixir contains at least one active ingredient designed to be taken orally.