Ambergris Perfumes – History, smell and benefits

Ambergris, which comes from the sperm whale, is one of the most sought-after and valuable raw ingredients in perfumery. It’s exclusively rare, and the smell it emanates is simply as rare with no analogs.

Ambergris is not the only animal substance used in the perfumery industry. Musk is derived from the sheath of the rare musk deer, Castoreum is collected from the beavers’ sacs, and Civet comes from the civet cats’ anal glands.

Table of contents

• What is ambergris

• What does ambergris smell like?

• History of ambergris

• Benefits of ambergris

• Why is whale vomit so rare?

• Why is whale vomit so expensive?

• Is ambergris illegal?

• Ambergris in perfumery

• Ambergris perfume blends

• Ethical measures

What is ambergris?

Ambergris, also known as grey amber or whale vomit, is a waxy solid material produced in the gastrointestinal tract of the sperm whale. Whales regurgitate it through the mouth when it becomes too large and difficult to pass through the gut.

Fresh ambergris is soft and blackish or dull grey in color. It has an undeniable odor. Ambergris has been used in potions, medicines, and perfumes for centuries. As ambergris ages, it acquires a unique sweet and earthy scent, making it one of the costliest resources in the perfumery industry.

What does ambergris smell like?

One of the easiest ways to identify ambergris is its smell. When released by the whales, it possesses an unagreeable strong marine and fecal smell. But when it floats on the oceanic streams for many years, the oxidation process changes its color and smell, transforming the fecal lump into an ambergris ocean treasure.

With age, ambergris acquires a unique pleasant smell which is often described as marine, leathery, sensual, and sometimes mysteriously musky. The longer it is aged, the sweeter the fragrance is believed to be.     

History of ambergris

Ambergris has been historically known for its significant use in making perfumes and fragrances. It has also been used in delicious food and drink. King Charles II of England’s favorite dish was ambergris with eggs.

In the 18th century, ambergris has been widely used for flavoring hot chocolate and Turkish coffee in Europe. It has been used as an aphrodisiac agent in many cultures.

In ancient Egypt, ambergris was burned as incense, while modern Egyptians use it for scenting cigarettes.

In ancient China, ambergris was called “dragon’s spittle fragrance”. In Europe, during the Middle Ages, ambergris has been used as a medicine for treating colds, headaches, and epilepsy.

In Early Arab civilizations, ambergris has been used as an aphrodisiac, incense, and medication to treat a number of ailments especially those of the heart, brain, and emotions.

Benefits of ambergris

From early days, ambergris was a highly desired substance in the East as a natural healing agent. Medieval apothecaries suggested and utilized ambergris for its tremendous healing powers.

In the Indian Materia Medica, ambergris was listed as an aphrodisiac and stimulant. Therefore, this wonderful substance has been widely used in Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda) and the Unani system of medicine for treating weakness, fever, typhoid, epilepsy, hysteria, and many other nervous disorders and mental-emotional afflictions by combining with other medicinal herbs.

Why is whale vomit so rare?

Whale vomit or ambergris is a very unusual and rare substance. Ambergris takes years to form inside the digestive system of the sperm whale and is occasionally expelled through the mouth. Since a special organ is required to synthesize ambergris, it is produced only by an estimated 1% of sperm whales.

Once released by a sperm whale, ambergris vomiting floats on the sea streams for years before landing on the coastlines. Besides, sperm whales or ambergris whales are considered a threatened species. Due to the legal ambiguity and very rare chances of finding this aromatic animal resource, Ambergris became exclusively rare. 

Why is whale vomit so expensive?

Ambergris, also known as whale vomit, is considered the floating gold or the treasure of the ocean and is sometimes called ambergris ocean. This precious material is only formed in the stomach of the ambergris sperm whale and only one percent of them can produce this substance which is rarely vomited by the endangered animal. 

Besides, many countries introduced laws banning this substance from trading.  Because of the rarity and high demand in the perfume and medicine market, ambergris commands a premium price, making it one of the most valuable animal resources in the world.  

Is ambergris illegal?

During the 1800s, the whaling industry significantly prospered and a large number of whales including ambergris sperm whales were killed for whalebone and oil to make profits. As a result, sperm whales soon became an endangered species.

Although ambergris is a waste product excreted by the sperm whale naturally, and not harvested by killing whales, very few countries banned ambergris for trading as a part of the general ban on the hunting of the species.

But since ambergris, has been naturally expelled by sperm whales like other waste products such as feces and urine, it is therefore not covered by the animal protection provisions and its trading is legal in most of the countries such as the United Kingdom, Maldives, Switzerland, France, and New Zealand.

Ambergris in perfumery

Ambergris has historically been used in creating fine perfumes. Ambergris perfumes are still in high demand for their very unique sweet, leathery, and marine-like fragrance.

The knowledge of making perfumes using ambergris has been kept secret for thousands of years. The famous Muslim scholar and traveler Ibn Battuta also wrote about ambergris and their exclusive value in pre-modern history. 

Ambergris perfume blends

Ambergris is an animal pheromone and works well with several natural perfume oils such as oud, sandalwood, rose, and jasmine. Like all animal pheromones, it shows significant effects on hormonal activities, making it a very popular aphrodisiac for men and an infertility cure for women.

Our ethical measures

All our ambergris perfumes are created using original animal resources without killing, torturing, or imprisoning the endangered animal. These aromatic substances are expelled by the sperm whales naturally and washed up on coastlines after floating many years on the sea streams.  

Check out our ambergris tincture here.

Check out our natural perfumes containing ambergris here.