Ambergris

Ambergris is found in lumps, typically washed ashore, ranging from small in size to weighing over 100 pounds. The substance is typically pale or white in color when freshly expelled from the whale and at this stage is considered a "precursor' to ambergris; however after a long time floating in the oceans, it hardens, turns grey or black, and acquires its scent.

Genuine ambergris is a very valuable commodity indeed. Depending on its size, and on how long it floated on the ocean (it is said that the longer the better, as ambergris is stated to 'mature like wine'), a lump may fetch several thousand dollars. [3]

Ambergris - History

Ambergris has been used since the time of Ancient Egypt - and these people burned it as an incense. The ancient Greeks believed it to enhance the effects of alcohol, either when added to wine or when smelled prior to drinking wine. [4]

It was also known to the ancient Chinese prior to 1000AD, who named it "dragon's spittle fragrance". During the time of the "black death" (14th century Europe) it was believed that carrying ambergris could help prevent a person from catching the disease. [1] It's interesting to note that ambergris was not the only substance regarding which this belief existed: Nutmeg was thought to have the same property.

Ambergris also has a history of having been used medicinally, and even in cuisine: It is said that King Charles II (1630-1685) of England's favorite dish was eggs and ambergris. [1]

Melville's famous and acclaimed novel of 1851, Moby Dick, contains a chapter which discusses ambergris in entertaining detail:

Owing to efforts to conserve the Sperm Whale, which had become an endangered species, trade of ambergris was outlawed in the 1970s in many countries including the USA. However since 2005, restrictions have relaxed a little, and ambergris that has been washed to shore naturally, with no harm to the whale, is permitted although monitoring of distribution is reported to be strict. [1]

Some of the scent components of ambergris have been isolated and synthesized, however this work is not complete, and the genuine article is still valuable. Less is found, as sperm whale populations down from 1.1 million before the time of whaling, to around 350,000 (2007). [1]

Curious mysteries still surround ambergris: One is that more of the substance is found in the southern hemisphere, despite the fact that whales can be found in oceans worldwide.

Is Ambergris an Aphrodisiac?

Ambergris has a long tradition of lore surrounding its action as an aphrodisiac. However, but little scientific research seems to have been done which either confirm or deny the legends.

It is said that ambergris is still a highly desirable ingredient in perfumery, and that it is included in the famous Chanel No. 5. [3] In a description from 1933 of the perfume laboratory, a tincture of ambergris was prepared for use in perfumes: Ambergris was ground, added to alcohol, and left to soak for at least six months. This tincture was then filtered and added to the perfume. [5]

Bernard Perrin, an international ambergris trader of the current era, stated that he has supplied ambergris to "a royal family in the Middle East", who mixed it with amber, milk and honey and took it as an aphrodisiac. [3]

Some scientific research has been undertaken on ambergris. [6] Much of this investigates the scent qualities of the substance; presumably with a view to isolation and synthesis of the scent components. However, I was a little surprised to find that at least one study has actually been conducted into the aphrodisiac qualities of ambergris:

A 1995 study at the Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, found that an administration of ambrein, a major constituent of ambergris, produced dose-dependent "recurrent episodes of penile erection, a dose-dependent, vigorous and repetitive increase in intromissions and an increased anogenital investigatory behavior" on male rats.[7]

Ambrein, a triterpene alcohol, has the gloriously complex IUPAC chemical name (1R,2R,8aS)-1-[(E)-6-[(1S)-2,2-dimethyl-6-methylidenecyclohexyl]-4-methylhex-3-enyl]-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-2-ol. [8] Ambergris consists of around 80% ambrein. [4]

I have never seen such a lengthy chemical formula: Perhaps this substance may be too complex to synthesize at the current time? This is pure speculation, but it may be that funds for scientific research might be lacking, as the goal of a patentable end product might not be attainable at the current time. Given, however, the strong body of lore surrounding aphrodisiac properties of ambergris, it would seem that it is worthy of further investigation.

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