Description of amber gris

1. Ambergris
Yaseen Abbas
Subject: Pharmacognosy

2. Ambergris
• Definition:
• Ambergrease, or grey amber is a solid, waxy, flammable substance of
a dull grey or blackish colour produced in the digestive system of
sperm whales.
• “Ambergris” comes from the Old French “ambre gris,” which
translates to “grey amber.” It’s named so because of its appearance
and its connection to the scent of amber, even though it comes from
the digestive system of sperm whales and not from trees like
traditional amber.

3. Introduction:
• Name ambergris
• Bilogical origin: physeter cotadon
• Family : physeteradae
• Origin : Sperm Whale
• It is Also Called Gold or Treasure of
Sea.

4. Theories on Ambergris
• Sperm Whale ingulf Ambegris:
Sperm whale Can Dive 350 metres and than Can dive and Remain in
Water for long Period of Time
Mouth of Sperm whale is Open For Long Time for food So might
particles of Ambergris can come.
. Produced in Intestine of Sperm Whale:
Eat Cuttle fish or Squids So might have Reamin like There Beaks in
there (4) four Stomachs.

5. Physical properties
• .Grey to black waxy mass.
• Insoluble in water and alkali
hydroxide.
• Agreeble , persistant and
characteristic smell.
• Brittle , Flammable and
Completely voltaile by Heat(at
100 C white vapours).
• Soluble in Hot alcohol ,
chloroform,ether,fat and volatile
oil

7. Uses:
• In lotions
• In Perfume IndustryTo enhance flavor
of tobacco
• When applied externally it removes
localizes pain and itching
• Used in scabies , pimples and other
Infections diseases

8. Habitat:
• Ambergris is found primarily in the Atlantic Ocean and on the coasts of South
Africa;
• Brazil;
• Madagascar;
• the East Indies;
• The Maldives;
• China; Japan;
• India; Australia;
• New Zealand; and the Molucca Islands.
• Most commercially collected ambergris comes from the Bahamas in the
Atlantic, particularly New Providence.

9. Medicinal uses:
• Aphrodisiac: In some cultures, ambergris was believed to have aphrodisiac
properties and was used to enhance libido and sexual performance.
• Stimulant: It was sometimes used as a stimulant to increase energy and
alertness.
• Treatment for gastrointestinal issues: Ambergris was occasionally used to
alleviate digestive problems such as nausea, indigestion, and stomach pain.
• Treatment for headaches: It was believed to have analgesic properties and
was used to relieve headaches and migraines.
• Treatment for epilepsy: In some traditional medicinal practices, ambergris was
used as a remedy for epilepsy and seizures.

10. Chemical Constituents:
Ambergris contains a variety of constituents, including:
• Ambrein: This is the primary constituent of ambergris, responsible for its
unique fragrance and fixative properties. Fatty acids: These include
compounds such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid, which
contribute to the waxy nature of ambergris.
• Sterols: Compounds like cholesterol and coprostanol are found in ambergris
and contribute to its chemical composition.
• Triglycerides: These are fats composed of glycerol and three fatty acid chains,
which are present in varying amounts in ambergris.
.

11. • Volatile compounds: These include various aromatic
compounds that contribute to the scent of ambergris.
• Other organic compounds: Ambergris may also
contain a range of other organic compounds,
including alkaloids, terpenes, and nitrogen-containing
compounds.The exact composition of ambergris can
vary depending on factors such as its age, origin, and
processing

12. Detection of ambergris:
• Suspect ambergris finders quickly get excited about their discovery. A
“hot needle test” is recommended to confirm that it is ambergris – a
test and this is where the challenge starts. Touching the waxy lump
with a hot needle should melt it, release white smoke and givepf an
interesting smell

13. IDENTIFICATION
• As mentioned above, it is almost impossible to describe the scent of
ambergris to someone who has never handled it before. For someone
who isn’t/hasn’t been regularly exposed to the scent of ambergris, we
would not recommend spending too much time trying to identify the
smell from what you may have read online.
• How it floats in water – allegedly “just below the surface”. This is just
a way of identifying whether your piece is appropriately light in
weight (which you should be able to do by simply holding it in your
hand).

14. Things to avoid for ambergris:
• Put your sample in water – this can interfere
with its properties; Ambergris can reduce in
value if not dried out correctly.Store your
sample in plastic, as this will cause
condensation. Always keep your ambergris
wrapped in cloth (such as cotton) or ideally
in tin foil/aluminium foil.Break a large piece
in half or into smaller pieces – this may
devalue it!

15. Some Important Facts about Ambergris
• King Charles ll Used Ambergris as Food.
• In 1600 It is Used As Flavouring Agent In First Icecream Of world.
• It is Mentioned in Ayurveda Books Like Rasa Shastra as Name of
Agnijara which is used in Neurological disorders , headache, Pain and
Joint disorders.
• In Japan a Famous Dish in 18th and 19 century called Dragons Spittle
fragnance. Ambergris was used.
• On Flowers it is used as To remain There smell and make them fresh.
• Ancient Greek Used to Enchance or Increase Effect of Wine.

16. • Used in Black death Pandemic (Bubonic Plague in 1346-53)in Eurasia
and North Africa.
• Ambergris Fragnance is upto 300 years.
• Some says That it have Sweet Earth smell.
• Christopher Camp from University of Chicago on Unnatural History of
Ambergris Said Ambergris and Whale vomit are Different it is made
in the stomach of whale
• Richard Seban from Natural History Museum On Marine History Said
that its from Intestine of Sperm Whale And out through Fecal Matter.
• In India acoording to Wild Life Act 1972 it is A Crime of Killing Sperm
Whale or Having Ambergris.

17. According to Quran
• Surah Al-Insan (Chapter 76), Verse 5:
• “Indeed, the righteous will drink from a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of
Kafur,”
• Some scholars interpret “Kafur” in this context to refer to a fragrant
substance, which could include scents similar to amber.
• Surah Al-Insan (Chapter 76), Verse 17:
• “And they will be given to drink a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of
ginger from a fountain within Paradise called Salsabeel
• While “Salsabeel” is mentioned here, which is interpreted by some
scholars to refer to a drink in Paradise, the mention of fragrances could
encompass scents akin to amber

18. According To Ahadees
• Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to love cleanliness
and good scent. It was highlighted, in many hadiths, his love for
fragrance and good scent like musk, ‘ud and ambergris.
• In one famous hadith, he said: In this world, women and perfume
have been made dear to me, and my comfort has been provided in
prayer. (An-Nasa’i).
• Among the scents Prophet Muhammad used to love were musk and
ambergris. He said in a hadith:The best scent is the perfume of
musk.(At-Tirmidhi)

19. It was narrated that Muhammad ibn ‘Ali said:
“I asked ‘Aisha:
‘Did the Messenger of Allah wear perfume?’
She said:Yes, the perfumes used by men: Musk and amber.’”
Anas Reported :I never smelt ambergris or musk as fragrant as the
fragrance of the body of Allah’s Messenger and I never touched
brocade or silk and found it as soft as the body of Allah’s Messenger.
(Muslim).

20. Thank You