17 Jun 2014 Recipe for the "elixir of long life"

Seven years ago, archaeologists discovered bottles containing medicines under a hotel building in New York City. Among them was the famous "elixir of long life", which experts estimate to be 150 years old.

Scientists used analysis to find out the composition of the elixir and tried to mix it. They found hundreds of vials in New York's Chinatown. The same site was formerly the site of a German beer garden and a music hall.

In one of the vials, archaeologists identified a drink that was supposed to prolong life. The Elixir of Youth was also mixed by Rudolf II in his alchemist's workshop. It was located in a glass room in Halstatt Street. Archaeologists tried to mix the elixir because they were interested in what it tasted like.

It contains several herbs and a lot of alcohol. "It's better to dose it only by drops," Alyssa Loorya noted, adding that they will try to make another found drink.

In fact, archaeologists have also found a liquid that resembles today's Swedish drops. It contained gentian root, orange peel, cinnamon, aniseed, coriander seed, cardamom seed, Peruvian bark, grain alcohol, water and sugar. Archaeologists have published the recipe for both "medicines".

"The second recipe for stomach drops is less feasible due to ingredients like Peruvian bark. In addition to the ingredients mentioned, rhubarb or aloe were also used to make medicines in the nineteenth century. Simply ingredients that we are familiar with even today," Loorya noted.

In the nineteenth century, these miracle drinks could be found in bars. "In a different package but with a similar name, you could buy the same drink around the corner at the pharmacy. We're really glad we managed to find out the recipe. Both medicines contained large amounts of alcohol. It could have been difficult for the user to find out if the mixture was actually working," Loorya added.

Scientists, of course, do not believe that the elixir actually prolongs life. "We just wanted to test our knowledge and skills. We were also interested in what was used to make it. For example, gentian is still used to stimulate appetite and treat stomach problems. We also discovered cinnamon, which was said to lower blood sugar levels," Loorya concluded.

Sources: www.dailymail.co.uk, www.kudyznudy.cz