Castoreum

CASTOREUM, the well-developed preputial glands of the beaver (male and female); their contents in living animals are white in color and of a consistency of ointment; when removed, they appear as paired sacs, with the dried contents being dark brown in color; the sacs are 5-10 cm long, 2.5-6 cm wide, and 1-3 cm thick, weighing 15-200 g each. In commerce, two varieties are distinguished: Castoreum sibiricum (from Castor fiber, found in Siberia and the western part of Europe) and Castoreum canadense (from Castor americanus, living in the northern part of America). Ph (VII) permits both varieties equally. The contents of the Castoreum sacs (in dry form) are a brown, amorphous, dull mass with a strong characteristic odor and a sharp-bitter taste. It is partially (at least 60%) soluble in alcohol. Its alcoholic solution becomes cloudy when water is added. In therapy, Tinct. Castorei is used in doses of 5-10-30 drops per administration for various neuroses, especially for hysteria and neurasthenia, for insomnia and vascular disorders. The scientific basis for the medical use of Castoreum has not yet been established, and therefore many do not consider the therapeutic use of Castoreum to be rational. Lit.: Hagers Handbuch der pharmazeutischen Praxis, Berlin, 1925; Mentin N., Kurs farmakognosii, SPB, 1901.