An aerosol-generating element for an aerosol-generating article or system is provided, the aerosol-generating element including: a solid continuous matrix structure; and an aerosol-generating formulation dispersed within the structure, in which the formulation is trapped within the structure and releasable from the structure upon heating of the aerosol-generating element, in which the structure is a polymer matrix including one or more matrix-forming polymers, in which the formulation dispersed within the structure includes at least one alkaloid or cannabinoid compound and a polyhydric alcohol, in which a polyhydric alcohol content in the formulation dispersed within the structure accounts for at least 30 percent by weight based on a total weight of the aerosol-generating element, and in which the aerosol-generating element has an equivalent diameter of at least about 0.5 millimetres and an ovality from about 2 percent to about 30 percent.