Since I've got more time in my hands, now that I'm confined to my bed for a short while; thought why shouldn't I expand a bit on the one thing mankind has chased since the beginning of time - Immortality

Or rather, the methods believed to achieve it; as used in the Antiquity

It is unclear when the concept of eternal life or rather; eternal youth, appeared first.

Mainly because ancient religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and the Mesopotamian religion; already incorporated elements of it in one way or another

The hunt for a certain medium, be it tangible or intangible has always existed nevertheless.

In Persian literature, there is mention of an "Aab-E-Hayat" (Fountain of Youth); which the mystical Islamic saint Khidr and his companion Prophet Illyas come across during their travels

The story is a bit muddled as there are several versions of it, involving either a fish or Iskendar (Alexander the Great) himself!

The lore goes in circles but comes back to the mystical belief that Khidr is immortal, because apparantly only he has access to the aab-e-hayat

Not limited to the East, the legend of the Fountain of Youth is found in Western cultures as well.

Herodotus was the first one to make mention of it, recounting how an Abyssinian tribe (Ethiopians) drank from a 'violet-scented spring' that restored their youth and vitality

Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer who is responsible for the heightened craze around the Fountain - searched all throughout the Americas for the Fountain, raping and pillaging his way through. He died an untimely death in Florida, getting shot by an arrowhead in 1521

However, throughout his hunt he placed explicit interest in the Bahamas, particularly the Island of Bimini, where a particular water well was said to be restoring "youth" to the elder citizens of the Island.

Far from the truth, but it did boost tourism in present-day Bimini

Moving on from fountains and springs, we've got the 'Lapis Philosophorum'. Or more commonly known as the Philospher's Stone.

In Western alchemy, it was thought to cure illnesses, prolong life, and bring about spiritual revitalization

The alchemical symbol for the stone:

It was said to be red in colour, transparent and glass-like. For achieving eternal youth, you would have to grind the stone into fine powder and have a pinch of it mixed with your wine, in order to unlock it's true properties.

The Arabic name for miracle substances is "iksir" which could possibly where the term "elixir of life" is derived from (sometimes also used interchangeably with Philospher's Stone).

By the medieval times, alchemists all over Europe were on a quest to get hold of this stone.

While this was happening in Europe, the Chinese were onto creating their own version of a drinkable potion, supposed to boost longevity.

Medical specialists suggested mixing mercury and salts of other arsenic, for curing incurable diseases, and therefore attaining immortality

It is quite obvious that the suggest mix, did quite the opposite.

Infact, the Jiajing Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, died of toxic poisoning, caused by lethal dose of this deathly cocktail.

Amrita, known as the "drink of the devas" in Hinduism and certain subgroups of Buddhism, is said to be the nectar and ambrosia of Gods.

Although the term itself means immortality, the true purpose of Amrita is to provide enlightenment and higher level of knowledge and power.

Coming back to much more tangible mediums in nature, such as the humble buckthorn, which was thought to provide eternal life in Ancient Sumeria

The plant is said to be immunity-boosting and also fights multiple diseases, which could explain why the Sumerians revered it.

Then there are fruits such as the 'Peaches of Immortality' in Chinese mythology and/or, the 'Golden Apples' in Nordic mythology. Each one comes with its own lore, promising immortality with every bite.

You'd think the quest for immortality would have ended with Ancient times. You'd think that as the world progressed, we'd have learnt to welcome Death with open arms, by now.

You'd think it all, but Cryonegenics will tell you otherwise.

For now though, I end it here.

Fin.