Alexipharmic

/ˌæl.ɛk.sɪˈfɑr.mɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or acting as an antidote against poison; having protective or healing properties against toxins.

Etymology

From alexipharmacon with the adjectival suffix -ic. Emerged in medical and alchemical texts as scholars needed descriptive language for anti-poison substances.

Kelly Says

Substances labeled 'alexipharmic' were often tested on prisoners or the poor in medieval times—a dark chapter in medicine where desperation to find cures led to unethical experiments, but paradoxically did advance the understanding of actual poisons.

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