Ambergris (waxy mass, dark brown like amber, chews like wax, sticks to teeth)
【Naming】
【Source】
Bencao Gangmu Shiyi (Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica)
【Common Usage Level】
F
【Botanical Source】
It is the dried secretion of the sperm whale, Physeter catodon L., an animal of the Physeteridae family.
【Characteristics】
It appears as an opaque, waxy mass. Its color is dark brown, resembling amber, sometimes with iridescent patterns. It is brittle and light in texture, chews like wax, and can stick to the teeth. It has a slightly fishy odor and a sweet and sour taste. Its specific gravity is approximately 0.7-0.9, and its melting point is 60°C. It is soluble in pure acid. When burned, it emits a blue flame and a fragrant aroma, very similar to musk but more elegant. Items that have been smoked with it retain a long-lasting fragrance.
【Identification】
The best quality is dark brown, loose and tough in texture, and has a subtle fragrance when burned.
【Category】
Vertebrate Animals