Elixir of life is a legendary liqueur believed to reverse aging and extend human lifespan indefinitely. This mythical drink has been sought after throughout history by various cultures and emperors, though its actual composition remains unknown.
History
The concept of an elixir of life appears in many ancient mythologies and legends. Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang sent expeditions to search for this mythical substance, believing it could grant eternal life. Similarly, emperor Wu of China and Roman emperor Augustus were obsessed with finding the elixir, often employing magicians and alchemists in their quest.
How it is made
In mythology, the elixir of life was sometimes described as a mysterious concoction of unknown ingredients. One ancient version called 'Lammer-wine' was said to be a concentrate with dissolved amber. Historical attempts to create such elixirs often involved dangerous substances, as evidenced by Qin Shi Huang's death after consuming mercury-containing 'immortality pills'.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Эликсир молодости, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.