Ambergris

Ambergris, Ambra grisea (from the Arabic Ap-ber - large fish), represents the excrement of the sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus that has been altered by long periods in seawater. Ambergris floats in the sea, where it is collected, or is sometimes washed ashore by waves (Indian and Pacific Oceans, shores of Japan and China). The color of ambergris is grayish-brown or whitish. The odor is pleasant, resembling the smell of musk or a Havana cigar (Tikhomirov). Ambergris is soluble in hot alcohol, ether, and oils. It is believed that the odor of ambergris depends on the musky cuttlefish Sepia moschata, which the sperm whale feeds on. Due to the very high price of ambergris, it is often adulterated with wax and styrax. In medicine, ambergris had significance as an aphrodisiac and antispasmodic, and was used in the form of Tinct. ambrae and Tinct. ambrae aetherea - 20-40 drops, and Pulvis ambrae - 0.25-1.2. Ambergris is frequently used in perfumery.