American Southern

Elixir Paregoric

Name: Elixir Paregoric
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American Southern
Ingredients: 3 drachms opium; 0.75 oz licorice ball (or six drachms); 0.13 oz gum camphor (3 scruples); 0.25 oz anise oil (two drachms); 1 cups water (boiling); 1 each benzoin

Historic recipe from Malinda Russell's 1866 cookbook "A Domestic Cook Book". Page 41. One of the earliest known cookbooks by an African American author.

15 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

8Servings

hardDifficulty

I Made It!

UpdatedLast updated5 months ago

Why This Recipe Works

This is a historical pharmaceutical preparation, not a food recipe. Paregoric was a camphorated tincture of opium used medicinally in the 19th century. The hot water extraction dissolves water-soluble compounds from the opium and licorice, while the oils and resins (camphor, benzoin, anise oil) remain in suspension. Extended shaking over 20-30 hours allows for emulsification and integration of the oil and water phases into a stable medicinal tincture.

Before You Begin

•CRITICAL WARNING: This is a historical pharmaceutical recipe containing opium, a controlled substance. It is ILLEGAL to prepare this recipe and dangerous to consume. This analysis is for historical and educational purposes only.
•This recipe represents 19th-century medical practice before modern pharmaceutical regulations and safety standards were established.
•Paregoric was used historically as a pain reliever and anti-diarrheal but contained addictive and potentially lethal ingredients.
•Modern readers should NOT attempt to prepare this recipe under any circumstances.
•If you encounter historical recipes like this, consult with historians, pharmacologists, or museum professionals rather than attempting preparation.

Key Equipment

This recipe should NOT be prepared. Historical equipment would have included: glass bottle with stopper, mortar and pestle, heat source for boiling water

Instructions

1
Bruise opium and licorice fine, put it into half pint boiling water, and steep until thoroughly dissolved; put it into a bottle, add the oil anise, benzoin and camphor.
2