Originally, any formula containing cinnabar or other minerals; by extension, a formula containing drastic or harsh agents used in small quantities, e.g., Purple Snow Elixir (紫雪丹zǐ xuě dān) and Supreme Jewel Elixir (至宝丹zhì bǎo dān).
Elixirs applied externally are powder preparations of sublimated or otherwise refined minerals such as mercury (Hydrargyrum, 水银shuǐ yín) and sulfur (Sulphur, 石硫黄shí liú huáng). Examples include white downborne elixir (Praeparatio Sublimata Alba, 白降丹bái jiàng dān) and red upborne elixir (Hydrargyri Oxydum Rubrum, 红升hóng shēng). (See magic medicine.)
Elixirs used internally include powder preparations such as Purple Snow Elixir (紫雪丹zǐ xuě dān), pill preparations such as Supreme Jewel Elixir (至宝丹zhì bǎo dān) and Five Grains Return-of-Spring Elixir (五粒回春丹wǔ lì huí chūn dān), and lozenges such as Scourge-Repelling Elixir (辟瘟丹bì wēn dān).
Jade Pivot Elixir (玉枢丹yù shū dān) prepared in pill or lozenge form is suitable for both internal and external use.