Castoreum
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Castoreum is the name perfumers give to a chemically complex glandular secretion of the castor sacs of the mature male beaver, both the European Castor fiber or the North American C. canadensis. Today, it is used in trapping, as a tincture in some perfumes, or touted as an aphrodisiac. Although modern medical use of castoreum is rare, the dried pair of scent glands (the "castors") may still be worth more than a beaver pelt itself.[1] Castoreum appeared in the materia medica until the 1700s, used to treat many different ailments, including headache, fever, and hysteria.[2] The Romans believed the fumes produced by burning castoreum could induce an abortion; Paracelsus thought it could be used in the treatment of epilepsy[3]; and medieval beekeepers used it to increase honey production.
Castoreum, an anal gland secretion,[4] appears to be used by beavers to mark their territory.[5]
Castoreum is also used in small amounts to contribute to the flavor and odor of cigarettes. [6]
[edit] References
- ^ "Beaver casoreum" (pdf file)
- ^ Compare Boericke, Materia Medica.
- ^ Compare mummy
- ^ Johnston, Robert E.; Sorenson, Peter W.; and Müller-Schwarze, Dietland (1999). Advances in Chemical Signals in Vertebrates, Springer, 1, 282. ISBN 0-306-46114-5.
- ^ Müller-Schwarze, Dietland (1992). "Castoreum of beaver (Castor canadensis): function, chemistry and biological activity of its components," Chemical Signals in Vertebrates IV, 457–464, Plenum Press.
- ^ "What's Inside: For a Refreshing Hint of Tear Gas, Light Up a Cigarette"
[edit] External links
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