{"title":"Animal Musks","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eANIMAL MUSKS\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnimal Musks are used in perfume, incense and Traditional medicine. Most contain animal pheromones, are considered aphrodisiacs and function as fixatives in aromatic compositions. Many are used in traditional medicine systems for a variety of ailments.  In perfumery, they can add a dimension that is not achievable with botanical extracts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"skunk-perfume-tincture-2-natural","title":"Skunk Perfume tincture-2%","description":"\u003cp\u003ePerfumers always have their eyes open for unusual ingredients they can add to their creative palette.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSkunk tincture is one of those little-explored aromatics that has the potential to add something new and novel to one's repertoire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, and it is a big however, the full strength tincture of skunk that is available in the shop is soooo concentrated that it is useless until heavily diluted.\u003cbr\u003eI always suggest starting with a dilution in alcohol of 1:50. In my opinion, it is only at this ratio that you can start to identify its aromatic properties and visualize how it can be incorporated in compositions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother disadvantage is that the full strength tincture does not travel well and can be detected before one opens their Apothecary's Garden package. Glass containers and plastic caps do not completely contain the genie in this bottle which can be problematic, especially in the presence of other more delicate aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, for these reasons I've gone ahead and prepared a more useful and practical product for my customers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original Skunk tincture is made by macerating fresh skunk glands in Ethanol. Skunks are trapped for their fur.\u003cbr\u003eProcessing their scent glands makes a useful product out of something that would otherwise be discarded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you decide you would like to try the full strength tincture and dilute it on your own, it is al;so available in the shop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a bit more information on the 2% Skunk tincture, here is a video review a customer recently sent me. https:\/\/youtu.be\/WUEhoIFLP98\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Perfume alcohol, skunk glands.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1 ml","offer_id":34798458830982,"sku":"108-LEPEWTWO-1","price":11.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 mL","offer_id":34798458863750,"sku":"108-LEPEWTWO-5","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10- mL","offer_id":34798458896518,"sku":"108-LEPEWTWO-10","price":61.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":34798458929286,"sku":"108-LEPEWTWO-30","price":137.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/products\/il_fullxfull.2062239416_l40h_d55e6a54-d913-4b54-997d-77917701f737.jpg?v=1691200640"},{"product_id":"civet-oil-genuine-ethiopian-civet-oil-perfume-ingredient-musk-perfume-aphrodisiac","title":"Civet oil-Natural Musk","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis listing is for Civet oil produced from genuine Ethiopian Civet paste. It is an aromatic perfume ingredient and fixative that can also be worn on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eIt starts out with a deep, warm, dry, slightly dirty yet compelling, animalic note which gradually fades into the background giving way to a sweet amber and lovely powdery floral notes,(reminding me a bit of Hyacinth and Tuberose), that endure till the scent has dissipated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have worked on the process of creating an oil of Civet for the past 6 years. A good quality aromatic oil cannot be produced directly from Civet paste due to the high amount of fat in the raw paste. I think I finally got it. I will write about it and share my method in the near future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe oil has the strength and endurance of the popular Civet tincture @ 1:40 and is similar in its aroma. (https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/206435482\/genuine-civet-tincture-perfume-tincture).\u003cbr\u003eIt lasts for a week on the scent strip and 2 weeks later I can still detect its presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough this oil can be worn on the skin as is, (and I do so regularly), it's greater value lies in how it impacts perfume compositions. Adding a few drops of civet oil to even a simple blend of one or two botanical essential oils will highlight it's value in perfumery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note, this is not the Civet oil that was commercially available decades ago. That was a compound perfume produced with synthetic materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with all the animalic essences, it's impact on perfume blends is not proportional to the physical amount present. More does not mean better. A small amount adds dimension and changes a perfume blend in a way that is quite different from the addition of a botanical aromatic essence. I find it difficult to explain the mechanics of this and invite everyone to explore, experiment and share their insights with the effect of animalics on perfume compositions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCivet is one of the rarest of traditional fragrance materials. It has been used for thousands of years as an exotic perfume ingredient and fixative. It lends depth, dimension and a note of erotic urgency to a perfume blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI can attest that it makes my heart skip at every sniff. I find it addictive, though it's not to everyone's liking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaid to have been one of the gifts the Queen of Sheba brought to King Solomon, Civet is an aphrodisiac and thought to arouse desire in both sexes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn North Africa and Arabia Civet paste and products containing Civet are traditionally used to treat hormonal imbalances associated with excess menstruation, acne and hair loss. This is a function one finds most animalics have in common.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Civet, reminiscent of a cross between a Mongoose and a Raccoon, is of the family Viverridae. It has a perineal gland which produces a paste used to transmit sexual, social and territorial signals. Both sexes produce this material. This paste is collected and processed into a perfume absolute or tincture. The tincture has the unusual property of evolving with time and producing deep, sweet floral notes. Given the raw animalic intensity of the fresh paste, this is quite remarkable. Working with civet products hones one's patience and imagination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere has been much controversy around traditional methods of keeping Civets for their musk, and rightly so.\u003cbr\u003eThe Western world has boycotted the use of Civet in the fragrance industry for decades due to the cruel traditional methods used to collect the paste. Though (As any Civet farmer will tell you), our Western food animals are treated no better, there is no excuse for the mistreatment of animals in any industry or country. This is a problem that needs to be addressed on a global scale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter extensive research, numerous visits with farmers, middlemen and exporters of civet paste, I am convinced we have done more harm than good with our passive approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy turning our back and withdrawing our financial support from the industry we have increased the poverty of the traditional farmers, leaving them even less resources to effect change. We have added one more obstacle to an already struggling economy and have created a black market and back door for large corporations to continue using Civet products, unseen by the public eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough we are boycotting this product, corporations and middlemen are still profiting while animals continue to suffer in much the same manner as in the 60's.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI believe that only through our active engagement as concerned and invested Western consumers can this unhappy situation be rectified.\u003cbr\u003eOur interest in these products and financial support iare the only tools that can effect change in the industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf there is a market for this product, an ethical and profitable way will be found or created to make it happen. If we continue to ignore this situation it will continue as it had been for the past 60 or thousand years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are losing our natural aromatics and medicinals slowly all over the world through our own mismanagement and lack of involvement. Collectively we have a powerful voice. One that can change the world if we so choose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the advent of the internet, each and every one of us can instantaneously impact global concerns with something as small as the click of a mouse. As consumers, we are responsible for everything that happens in the world of industry and commerce. They exist only to serve us. Without our needs and market demand they would serve no one and cease to exist. Every click of a mouse is noted, tallied and used to direct our markets and industries. The power to change the world is collectively in our hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI believe that If there is a financial incentive, a healthy market, through our increased western demand, (our purchasing power), for high quality and ethically produced Civet products, the farmers and the government of Ethiopia will have the incentive and resources to modernize their practices and meet our ethical standards. To this end, I have been working for years with Civet farmers and exporters trying to design and implement a more ethical industry-standard centred around care of the environment and the animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven if you have moral objections to the use of animal products, doing nothing about it does little to effect change. Trying to force the world to not use animal products through passive means is, as we can see here, not a solution.\u003cbr\u003eThe use of animal products in our food, cosmetics, traditional medicine and perfumes has been with us since the dawn of time. Rather than working to eliminate animal products from commerce, we could focus on finding ethical systems and solutions that honour both the planet and the animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about the Ethical Civet dilemma, please read the post Ethical Civet, A View from the mountaintop.\u003cbr\u003ehttp:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/2014\/04\/30\/ethical-civet-a-glimpse-from-the-mountaintop\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThanks\u003cbr\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Fractionated Coconut Oil, Civet Musk.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":34798474690694,"sku":"207-CIVETOIL-1","price":11.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5","offer_id":34798474723462,"sku":"207-CIVETOIL-5","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":34798474756230,"sku":"207-CIVETOIL-10","price":61.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":34798474788998,"sku":"207-CIVETOIL-30","price":152.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":35023077113990,"sku":"207-CIVETOIL-100","price":451.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/civett.webp?v=1691200692"},{"product_id":"genuine-civet-tincture-perfume-tincture-musk-aphrodisiac-from-ethiopian-civet-paste","title":"Civet tincture","description":"\u003cp\u003eCivet tincture is a traditional perfume ingredient I prepare in-house from genuine Ethiopian Civet paste, Musk. Aphrodisiac. 1:40 in 95% Ethanol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eA traditional perfume ingredient and medicine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the rarest of traditional fragrance materials, Civet has been used for thousands of years as an exotic perfume ingredient that brings depth, dimension and a note of erotic urgency to a perfume blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn North Africa and Arabia Civet paste and products containing Civet are traditionally used to treat hormonal imbalances associated with excess menstruation, acne and hair loss. In Libya, a friend tells me, Civet paste is massaged into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgain, less is more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowsing through historical references on the subject, one finds the suggested ratio for Civet tincture varies from 1:10 up to 1:100 which is 1 gram Civet paste to 100 grams ethanol. Piesse recommends 1 ounce to a gallon which is approximately 1:128. The moral of all this is that as with other animalics\/animal essences, less is more. For the time being I have settled on a ratio of 1:40 as my ideal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCivet tincture is one of the best teachers of patience in the perfume-making process. The fragrance of the fresh tincture changes from month to month and year to year. Even in a few weeks, one notices the appearance of softer and sweeter notes that continue to compound and deepen as the months pass. This evolution is evident in quantities as small as a couple of millilitres!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eCivit-A Musk and Aphrodisiac\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scent of Civet has an uplifting effect on me especially noticeable when I'm feeling down or depressed. I can attest that it makes my heart skip at every sniff. I find it addictive, though it's not to everyone's liking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaid to have been one of the gifts the Queen of Sheba brought to King Solomon, Civet, in many cultures, is considered to be an aphrodisiac and thought to arouse desire in both sexes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Civet, reminiscent of a cross between a Mongoose and a Raccoon, is of the family Viverridae. It has a perineal gland with which it produces a paste used to mark its territory and transmit sexual\/social signals. This paste is collected and processed into a perfume absolute or tincture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eThe Ethics of Civiculture\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere has been much controversy around traditional methods of keeping Civets for their musk, and rightly so.\u003cbr\u003eThe Western world has boycotted the use of Civet in the fragrance industry for decades due to the cruel traditional methods used to collect the paste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter extensive research and visiting Ethiopia 3 times for a closer look at the situation, I think we have done more harm than good with our passive approach. I believe that by turning our back and withdrawing our financial support from the industry we have increased the poverty of the traditional farmers, leaving them even less resources to effect change. We have added one more obstacle to an already struggling country and have created a black market and back door for large corporations to continue using Civet products in their perfumes unseen by the public eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe animals in captivity suffer just the same as before our boycott, and the market is rife with adulterated products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI believe that only through our active engagement as concerned western consumers can this unhappy situation be rectified. We are losing our natural aromatics and medicinals slowly all over the world through our own mismanagement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf there is a financial incentive, a healthy market through our increased western demand, (our purchasing power), for high quality and ethically produced Civet products, I believe the farmers and government of Ethiopia will have the incentive and the means to modernize their practices to meet our ethical standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe more voices that can join, the more likely it is we can together transform the industry..\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about the Ethical Civet dilemma, please read the post Ethical Civet, A View from the mountaintop.\u003cbr\u003ehttp:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/2014\/04\/30\/ethical-civet-a-glimpse-from-the-mountaintop\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can purchase Civet pastein the shop and make your own tincture with the instructions that are included. https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/product\/civet-paste-musk-aphrodisiac-natural-perfume\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tincture is not comparable to Civet oil from the '60s which was not a natural product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a perfume but a perfume ingredient, uniquely smelly and meant to be used in minute amounts when formulating perfumes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThanks\u003cbr\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat customers have said about this Civet tincture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"It has a wonderful smell of very strong black forest honey and wild Flowers. But my sister said it smelled like sweat after sex, so a more pleasant kind of body Oder smell. Maybe it's both, but for me, it is more Floral and honey-like.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Repeat buyer. Great tincture. His magic helps my magic oils get that extra OOMPH!!! Very happy!!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"This stuff completes me as a human being.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Bien reçu en France Produits absolument fabuleux (je vais en recommander avant qu'il n'y en ai plus) Quel plaisir d'avoir découvert cette boutique tenue par un homme passionné, intègre, honnête et généreux (merci vos cadeaux) N’hésitez pas à acheter vous serez ravis Encore un grand merci\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranslation-\"Well received in France\u003cbr\u003eProduced absolutely fabulous (I'll recommend until there have more)\u003cbr\u003eWhat a pleasure to have discovered this shop held by a passionate, honest and generous man (thank you for the gifts)\u003cbr\u003eDo not hesitate to buy you will be delighted\u003cbr\u003eA big thanks again\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"wonderful stuff !! cant wait to start using it in my compositions\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I'm very happy to get my hands on such a potent tincture. Excellent\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Amazing smell that really gives me a sense of the Middle East. Item as described and perfectly speedy delivery.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"My first experience with Civet outside of already being in a perfume. Powerful at first then the amazing transformation once it dries down. Can't wait to experiment with this one. Thank you.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I wouldn't hesitate to place another order!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Love it. Always a pleasure doing business with Dan.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Ethiopian Civet paste 95% alcohol\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1:40 Tincture \/ 1","offer_id":34798491467910,"sku":"015-TNCIVIT40-1","price":11.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:40 Tincture \/ 5","offer_id":34798491533446,"sku":"015-TNCIVIT40-5","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:40 Tincture \/ 10","offer_id":34798491566214,"sku":"015-TNCIVIT40-10","price":64.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:40 Tincture \/ 30","offer_id":34798491631750,"sku":"015-TNCIVIT40-30","price":163.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:40 Tincture \/ 100","offer_id":41403249098886,"sku":"015-TNCIVIT40-100","price":320.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/products\/il_fullxfull.2062229994_ct1g_033a657c-47d8-45cf-9b2a-2ea62d69d50f.jpg?v=1691200318"},{"product_id":"castoreum-canadian-beaver-castor-tincture-10-concentration","title":"Castoreum-10%","description":"\u003cp\u003eCastoreum, AKA beaver Castor tincture is a traditional and highly valued natural perfume ingredient made from the aged, dried scent glands of the adult Beaver, Castor Canadensis in North America and Castor Fiber, native to Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eThe glands, or \"Castor Sacs\", in both male and female adults, produce a scent that is thought to be both a sexual attractant and a territorial marker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoreum is a musky, warm, rich animalic scent which lends itself to the creation of leather perfume notes and accords. It is often used as a key component in masculine scents. In conventional perfumery, it is considered a base to middle note.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt contains pheromone-like compounds, monoterpenes, phenols, ketones and other fragrant chemicals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Castoreum is produced from aged material collected from Canadian Beavers, Castor canadensis. Trappers work hand in hand with the government to control over-population which is thought to benefit both the Beaver and Human communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoreum, also called tincture of Castoreum, lends a warm animalic note to perfumes and is considered safe to use in aromatic applications. It is designated GRAS,(Generally recognized as safe), by the FDA for use as a natural aroma and flavouring in the food and tobacco industries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Beaver has been trapped for millennia by indigenous peoples around the world, valued for its waterproof pelt, as a food source, and for its odoriferous and medicinal properties. The inner \"hairs\" of the Beaver pelt have tiny hooks on their tips, which make it ideal for felting and the production of hats and clothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the past Beavers were over-hunted, nowadays the trapping of Beavers is regulated, and consideration is given to the Beaver's impact on wetland ecology and the environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough Castoreum is no longer popular as a medicine, it has been used as an anti-pyretic, ( to lower the temperature), an anodyne similar to Aspirin, an anti-inflammatory and ant-epileptic. It is said to increase blood pressure and cardiac output and has been used for the treatment of hysteria and dysmenorrhea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scent of Castoreum is persistent and enduring. It is a fragrance component that can greatly extend the life-span of a perfume. I have experimented with a few drops of Castoreum on blotting paper. After 6 weeks the scent was still strongly present, and it may have persisted longer had I not misplaced the blotting paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoreum blends well with Clove, Nutmeg, Cardamom and other spices, Jasmine, Oakmoss, Liquorice, Vetiver, Patchouli and Spikenard, and many types of Pine, Spruce, Fir and cedar. It has a natural affinity with other aromatic citizens of our northern forests and woods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are man-made \"nature identical\" chemical compounds that can be used as ethical replacements for naturally sourced Castoreum and other animal scents. Should we use them instead of the natural materials? I don't believe there is one answer that suits us all. We each need to be true to our heart, our personal ideals and philosophy, examine and respond to each situation individually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we nurture and deepen our relationship as individuals, with Nature, the Planet and the Divine, the answers to questions of ethics become clearer and more obvious to us. This is our foremost responsibility, as individuals and as a global culture. Some questions in life have simple answers, others are complex and are not \"One size fits all\". This is a case of the latter. I believe that only by engaging and embracing Nature in an intimate and meaningful way as individuals, can we be responsive to her needs, and make informed choices individually and globally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor instructions on how to prepare your own Castoreum and other aromatic products from Castors, please see my post here-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\" title=\"How to prepare Castoreum\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehttps:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat customers have written about this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Heaven, absolute heaven! Very generous seller!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"This is exactly as it is described. It is the perfect strength to add that smokey sort of tobacco note to your next fragrance or to just wear by itself if you feel so compelled, The quality is there and the price is very good.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Shipped quickly..superior quality! Thank you\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"This Castoreum is some of the BEST I have ever worked with.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"What a wonderful oil and rare find. Thank you for your friendly communication, super fast shipping, and valuable service!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Sweet, powdery, leathery. Can't wait to start playing with this material in a blend.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Castoreum, Beaver Castoreum, Beaver Castor, Perfumers Alcohol.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":34798507196550,"sku":"061-CASTREUM-1","price":11.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":34798507229318,"sku":"061-CASTREUM-5","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":34798507262086,"sku":"061-CASTREUM-10","price":61.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":34798507294854,"sku":"061-CASTREUM-30","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":40183220830342,"sku":"061-CASTREUM-100","price":331.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/Castoreum-11.jpg?v=1715254553"},{"product_id":"muskrat-musk-perfume-tincture","title":"Muskrat musk-Perfume Tincture","description":"\u003cp\u003eMuskrat Musk Perfume tincture, without a doubt one of my favourite animal extracts that I make. I always dab a bit of it on myself to enjoy its fantastic drydown and lingering scent throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuskrat Musk tincture reminds me of the old Nitro Musks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuskrat Musk tincture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003emy favourite\"A slightly sweet, mellow, floral, ambiguous, oscillating between urine\/fecal side and cashmeran-y soft almost wool-like scent, exactly how a musk should be\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnimal musk has been a vital part of perfumery for centuries. it is used to add sensuous animalic and arousing aphrodisiac elements in our creations. Many musks are considered base notes and fixatives in perfumes. They transform botanical perfumes, add extra dimension and a sense of \"Down and dirty\" or physical arousal and attraction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a number of animals around the world that produce similar musk fragrance compounds.\u003cbr\u003e Among them, the Musk Deer, Musk crocodile, the musk ox, the musk duck and of course, the Musk Rat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tincture is made from the ground fresh scent glands of the north American Muskrat at a ratio of 1:5 using 80% ethanol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese animals were trapped for their fur and much of this material goes to waste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"The Musk Rat or Ondatra zibethicus in Latin, is native to North America. Its specific name zibethicus means ‘musky’, being the adjective of zibethus ‘civet musk; civet’, or Civet-like in Latin. The genus name comes from the Huron word for the animal, ondathra, and entered New Latin as Ondatra via French\".(Wikipedia).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt lends a soft warm animalic note to perfumes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShould we use animal products in our food, cosmetics and aromatic materials? I have found there is no universal answer that suits us all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI believe that only by engaging and cultivating our own intimate personal relationship with Nature, can we plot our own path and divine our own code of ethics. Only then can we be responsible and responsive to Nature's needs, true to ourselves, and make informed choices that ultimately affect us all globally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e--------------------------------------------------What customers have said about this product----------------------------------------------------\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"This has amazing potential to be utilized in a similar fashion as the nitro musks from the 1970's. Very beautiful, and I can't wait to start working with it! Quickly shipped, and well packaged for safety! Thank you :)\" A.F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"A wonderful dark animalic smell of dark Swiss Chocolate (Lindt und Sprüngli Excellence 90 %) only lightly sweet and in the background a hint of dark Oudh like Oudh Cambodi. Good for people how think that musk (real and artificial) is too sweet for them and not animalic enough.\" R.J.K.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Remarkable stuff ,primordial, a hairy handed gent\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\" The aroma is incredible. Falls somewhere between the \"skank\" of civet and the leather \u0026amp; fruit of castoreum. Has a unique effect on perfumes.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Shipped quickly..superior quality! Thank you\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Muskrat musk glands, Muskrat musk, Alcohol.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":34798507360390,"sku":"017-MUSKRA-1","price":11.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":34798507393158,"sku":"017-MUSKRA-5","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":34798507425926,"sku":"017-MUSKRA-10","price":61.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":34798507458694,"sku":"017-MUSKRA-30","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":34798507491462,"sku":"017-MUSKRA-100","price":358.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/MuskratinctureJose1_db9738ea-d64f-4529-9c4a-554486d4f01e.jpg?v=1696760269"},{"product_id":"pure-ontario-propolis-for-incense-perfume-and-medicine-back-in-stock","title":"Pure Propolis for Perfume \u0026 Incense-Pure Raw Bee Propolis","description":"\u003cp\u003ePropolis makes a beautiful and intensely fragrant addition to perfume and incense formulas. A little goes a long way. This is similar to the beautiful black \"Boozy\" smelling Propolis that I had a few years ago which many customers have requested.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn recent years, the term Propolis has slowly shifted to mean a crude blend of Beehive scrapings with a very high percentage of beeswax. While Beeswax is beautiful and can make propolis easy to chew, It is not something you want in your incense or perfume blend and needs to be removed so it can be used in medicinal and aromatic formulas.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePropolis is a fragrant resinous material that bees produce to keep the hive septic and germ-free. Created from the resin of different plants by the bees through the seasons, each batch of Propolis varies in its scent, colour and chemical profile depending on the season, the locale and the plant material that is available to them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Propolis has a sweet, warm, boozy, musky animalic, resinous amber-like fragrance with hints of Molasses and Black Cherry. Its scent is reminiscent of Poplar Bud resin, often making up a good portion of the Bee's building material for Propolis. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePropolis can be powdered or blended as a tincture with other ingredients in various incense types. A small sprayer\/mister can be used for even dispersal. Its robust amber, musk-like scent transforms single-ingredient and compound incense blends with a rich, exotic, sensuous touch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA propolis tincture in 95% alcohol can be a valuable asset in the perfumer's palette.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ApothecarysGarden","offers":[{"title":"5","offer_id":34798531739782,"sku":"075-BPROP-5","price":13.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":34798531772550,"sku":"075-BPROP-10","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25","offer_id":34798531805318,"sku":"075-BPROP-25","price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50","offer_id":34798531838086,"sku":"075-BPROP-50","price":93.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":34798531870854,"sku":"075-BPROP-100","price":164.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/20231123-IMG20231123104330.jpg?v=1700835002"},{"product_id":"ambergris-tincture-brown-5-and-10-percent","title":"Ambergris Tincture","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a WOW Ambergris tincture! Im truly impressed  with how it turned out! I prepared it with 70% white Atlantic Ambergris and 30% rich, gold Ambergris from the Caribbean. The result after almost a year of maceration is stunning!!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth the 5% and the 10% tinctures are from this unique hybrid batch. I diluted the 10% ambergris tincture to 5% with charcoal filtered 95% food-grade alcohol. They have the exact same aroma profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Ambergris tincture pops! Only a small amount is needed to transform a perfume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt reaches up and immediately grabs your attention with vibrant, bold musk notes. They are sweet, warm, and earthy, followed by a hint of petrichor and dark, aged tobacco. I can smell no marine notes, and it is void of the fecal notes often associated with darker Ambergris. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eAmbergris\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eAmbergris is rare natural ingredient used in perfume and medicine for thousands of years.\u003cbr\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eAmbergris is one of those classic mystical ingredients that we find revered and referred to in many ancient texts and cultures.\u003cbr\u003eExpelled through excretion or emesis by the Sperm whale, (depends whom you ask), Ambergris is thought to form in the digestive tract as a response to the irritation of residual squid beaks and cuttlefish bones which the whale cannot digest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the aid of a waxy compound produced in the whale's bile duct, a substance is created which coats the irritants and builds up in layers over the irritants. These layers are one of the indicators of real Ambergris. (Many materials that look similar to ambergris are regularly found on oceanic beaches around the world).\u003cbr\u003eOnce Ambergris exits the whale it can float on the ocean for years and lie undiscovered on a beach for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmbergris has been used as medicine and in food, it is considered an aphrodisiac in many cultures and of course, it has been a key ingredient in the creation of perfume and incense for thousands of years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike other natural animalic fragrance compounds, the magic and power of Ambergris lie not in the physical olfactory strength of its aroma.\u003cbr\u003eAmbergris does not have an intense fragrance and does not transform a perfume by simply contributing its aroma proportionally to a blend. Instead, it operates in a less obvious and covert manner, as if anchored in the interstices of aroma, rounding out or pulling together a bouquet from underneath, or inside. It adds depth, tenacity and extra dimension to compositions by means of a mechanism that is not well understood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmbergris is most often used in an alcohol tincture at a very low 1% to 3%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTypically, a tincture of Ambergris will be left to macerate at least 6 months before it is considered ready to filter and use.\u003cbr\u003eTo a great degree, all animalics work on the principle of more is less.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can purchase pure Ambergris in the shop here- https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/product\/ambergris-gold-brown-grey-a-rare-aromatic-and-traditional-perfume-ingredient\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Ambergris, 95 percent Ethanol.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1 \/ 5%","offer_id":34798538129542,"sku":"179-AMB5TINCT-1","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 \/ 10%","offer_id":34798538162310,"sku":"179-AMB10TINCT-1","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 \/ 5%","offer_id":34798538195078,"sku":"179-AMB5TINCT-5","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 \/ 10%","offer_id":34798538227846,"sku":"179-AMB10TINCT-5","price":80.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 \/ 5%","offer_id":34798538260614,"sku":"179-AMB5TINCT-10","price":78.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 \/ 10%","offer_id":34798538293382,"sku":"179-AMB10TINCT-10","price":154.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 \/ 5%","offer_id":34798538326150,"sku":"179-AMB5TINCT-30","price":220.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 \/ 10%","offer_id":34798538358918,"sku":"179-AMB10TINCT-30","price":398.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 \/ 5%","offer_id":42091736367238,"sku":"179-AMB5TINCT-100","price":666.66,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"100 \/ 10%","offer_id":42091736465542,"sku":"179-AMB10TINCT-100","price":1194.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/AmbergrisTincture5_-10.jpg?v=1690988850"},{"product_id":"musk-animalic-collection-6-classic-natural-musk-perfume-tinctures-pheromones-aphrodisiacs-sampler-set","title":"Musk Animalic Collection","description":"\u003cp\u003eMusk-Animalic Collection presents the rarest of traditional perfume ingredients!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eFor centuries, animal-sourced musks have been used in perfume, folk magic and traditional medicine. Most are considered aphrodisiacs and references to their use are found across cultures and time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey add depth and dimension to perfume compositions and serve as fixatives, extending the longevity of more fleeting, volatile botanical aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a mystique surrounding animal musks, and although synthetic molecules have replaced many of these animal-sourced aromatics in modern perfumery, this shift is mainly driven by ethical concerns, cost efficiency, and the difficulty of reproducing vast quantities of mainstream perfumes. In many ways, synthetic molecules can never completely duplicate the qualities and functions of their natural counterparts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEver wonder what Ambergris smells like? Civet Musk? Castoreum?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Musk-Animalic Collection contains 6-1 Millilitre sample vials of the rarest traditional animalic essences in one handsome set.\u003cbr\u003eThe market for rare and exotic materials is rife with adulteration and it takes either years of costly trial and error or a trustworthy and reputable source to learn to discern between fakes and the real deal, between poor and excellent quality material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Musk-Animalic Collection presents the rarest of traditional perfume ingredients! I personally crafted each musk from raw materials I sourced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Musk-Animalic Collection is an excellent educational aid, providing an intimate, experiential introduction to these classic, exotic, and rare aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach sampler contains 1 millilitre vial of each of the following 6 Animal Musk tinctures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmbergris tincture 5%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCivet tincture 10%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCastoreum 10%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMuskrat Musk tincture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePropolis tincture 20% \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHyraceum tincture Dark-10%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eEthics and animal welfare in the realm of natural musks.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom an ethical perspective, using most of these animal-sourced aromatics has little to no impact on animals or the ecosystem. (Ambergris, Hyraceum, propolis)\u003cbr\u003eSome are under government regulation which considers a long-term view of the well being of the ecology, the animal population and the impact of animal\/human conflict and regulates and culls animal populations by regulating hunting and trapping quotas. (Beavers, Muskrats and in some cases Musk Deer).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, Civet and, to a great degree, Deer Musk still pose serious ethical issues. Though most sellers of deer musk state their material is collected under strict government control, there seems to be way too much of this product on the market to account for the limited number of licenses that are actually awarded to hunters. Add to this issue the traditional adulteration of Deer musk, one never really knows what one has purchased for an outrageous price or where it has come from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the case of Civet musk, we have boycotted the use of Civet products in perfumes since the '60s. However, it has done little to help Civets or traditional farmers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, in my opinion, our passive approach has caused more damage than good. I believe we need to collectively take a more active role in changing the industry rather than hoping it will go away if we ignore it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have worked with Civet farmers and exporters in Ethiopia for 9 years now. Though they are happy to change their practices to accommodate a more lucrative, ethical and animal-centric farm, there simply has not yet been enough interest from the West to motivate the transformation. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Musk Animalic Collection Castoreum, Ambergris, Muskrat musk, Propolis, Skunk, Hyraceum, Beaver, Civet Musk, Alcohol.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"6 Tinctures","offer_id":34798543929478,"sku":"197-ANIMAZING-TINCTURES","price":66.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/Musk_Animalic_Collection_1.jpg?v=1691773576"},{"product_id":"genuine-civet-paste-musk-perfume-ingredient-natural-musk-aphrodisiac-pheromones-natural-perfume-ingredient-ethiopia","title":"Civet Paste","description":"\u003cp\u003eCivet paste is one of the rarest traditional fragrance materials and has been used for thousands of years as a perfume ingredient and fixative. It lends depth, dimension and a note of urgency to a perfume blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCivet paste is thought to have been one of the gifts the Queen of Sheba brought to King Solomon, to arouse desire and lust with its animalic edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eThe Civet, of the family Viverridae, has a perineal gland which produces a paste it uses to mark its territory. This paste is collected and processed into a perfume absolute or tincture.\u003cbr\u003eStarting with an unpleasant aura, Civet paste sweetens with age, developing unique, almost floral notes and a softness that counterbalances its animal heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere has been much controversy around traditional methods of keeping Civets for their musk, and rightly so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Western world has boycotted the use of Civet in the fragrance industry for decades due to the cruel traditional methods used to collect the paste. After extensive research and numerous visits to Ethiopia to examine the situation more closely, I think our passive approach to the lack of ethics in the trade has done more harm than good. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy withdrawing our financial support from the industry we have increased the stark poverty of the traditional farmers, leaving them even less resources to effect change. We have added one more obstacle to an already struggling country and have created a black market and back door for large companies and corporations to continue using Civet products in their perfumes, unseen by the public eye. The animals in captivity suffer just the same as before our boycott, and the market is rife with adulterated products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI believe that only through our active engagement as concerned Western consumers can this unhappy situation be rectified. Real Civet paste can retail for up to $50.00 a gram. The farmers or the country see little of this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis product is posted here to help solicit your interest and support for a new approach to the ethical dilemma of one of our world's most precious perfume resources. We are slowly losing our natural aromatics and medicinals all over the world through our own mismanagement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuppose there is financial incentive, a market, through our increased western demand (our purchasing power), for high-quality and ethically produced Civet products. In that case, I believe the farmers and government of Ethiopia will have the incentive and the means to modernize their practices to meet our ethical standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a case of collective individual activism meeting global change. It can only work collectively. I have kept the price low and accessible for this reason. It doesn't matter if you buy a gram of Civet paste to show support or 10 grams to make your own tincture or absolute. The more voices that can join, the more likely it is that we can transform the industry together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn my latest visit in April 2025, I visited a traditional Civet farm and experienced the warm hospitality of the traditional Civet farm family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe paste I purchased from them is directly collected from their Civet cats and is the purest I have ever experienced. No middlemen have adulterated or diluted it. I was honoured to personally see the collection process and receive the paste I had witness collected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI now work directly with this farmer, and step by step, we are introducing more humane and animal-centric methods to this tradition.  Change will NOT happen overnight. But I believe we are on the right path.This paste is of the highest quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI will keep everyone updated as our new methods and practices unfold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThanks\u003cbr\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a link to my Video-\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Qp-vi2xvAS8?si=EvcZEKFLXcFnP17P\" title=\"How to make a tincture of Civet from paste\"\u003eHow to make a tincture of Civet for perfume\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince many customers ask how to process the Civet paste once they have it, I will offer brief and general instructions here.\u003cbr\u003eFor every gram of Civet paste, take an equal weight of Powdered Orris root or sandalwood powder, and blend paste and powder together well. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdd a very small amount of alcohol. Just enough to dampen the paste and blend some more. If you make a 10% tincture of Civet then you will add 9 grams of alcohol to 1 gram of civet paste. \u003cbr\u003eAdd alcohol at 95% and let it macerate at room temperature for at least 4-6 weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFilter the picture through a paper c coffee filter.\u003cbr\u003eCollect the filtered tincture and place in the freezer for at least a day, then run it through a paper coffee filter again while it is cold to separate out the fats.\u003cbr\u003eBottle and leave it to mature.\u003cbr\u003eYou can make a tincture of Civet with 95% alcohol at 1:10, 1:20, 1:40 or even 1:100\u003cbr\u003e1:10 will give you a very animalic-smelling tincture.\u003cbr\u003e1:20 will give you a sweeter tincture with less obvious animalic notes.\u003cbr\u003e1:40 will create a tincture with a lighter and more diffuse scent which will intensify and like the other tinctures, sweeten with time.\u003cbr\u003eI find after ageing 7 months, there is a very distinct change in the fragrance and I usually bottle it or use it at that time. The scent will, however, continue to mature and evolve in the bottles.\u003cbr\u003eCivet is subtle and unusual and that is where its power of transforming perfumes lies. It is not about quantity, concentration or strength in the usual sense.\u003cbr\u003eComing from a herbal background, I used to tincture it at 1:10. After a few years of working with this material, I have come to understand it better. I now produce 1: 20 and 1:40 tinctures. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Civet Paste, Pure Civet Paste.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":34798552055942,"sku":"062-CVTPST-1","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":34798552088710,"sku":"062-CVTPST-5","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":34798552121478,"sku":"062-CVTPST-10","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25","offer_id":34798552154246,"sku":"062-CVTPST-25","price":245.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50","offer_id":34798552187014,"sku":"062-CVTPST-50","price":425.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":34798552219782,"sku":"062-CVTPST-100","price":725.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200","offer_id":34798552252550,"sku":"062-CVTPST-200","price":1225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500","offer_id":34798552285318,"sku":"062-CVTPST-500","price":2526.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/civett_b01d26ac-a808-4e54-a98e-8ae8101a5620.webp?v=1696782448"},{"product_id":"hyraceum-musk-tincture-10-kenya-perfume-and-incense-ingredient-hyraceum-blonde","title":"Hyraceum Tincture Blonde","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI love Hyraceum Blonde tincture. However, it has been a slow seller, and I need the space for a new product. For this reason, all sizes are on sale for around 33% of their regular price. While my stock lasts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHyraceum Tincture Blonde includes sweet and floral notes (especially during dry-down), and a lovely dryness that compliments floral and Fougere perfume compositions. The dark Hyraceum delivers more of the darker animalic notes that Hyraceum is known for.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eExplaining precisely what Hyraceum is is always fun.\u003cbr\u003eTo be succinct, Hyraceum Tincture Blonde is prepared from the mineralized urine and feces of the Rock Hyrax, which is the only other animal related to the elephant. (Even though it looks more like a Groundhog and doesn't have a long nose.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRock Hyrax communities deposit their excrement in the same place for thousands of years. These smelly aggregates are called middens and also serve the function of territorial markers. These middens can be as old as 50.000 years.\u003cbr\u003eRock Hyrax are most often found basking on warm rocks in sunshiny places from South Africa all the way to Israel and Lebanon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough used in traditional medicine, Hyraceum tincture is better known for its use in perfumery where it can deliver notes of leather, Deer Musk, Civet, Castoreum and Cade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile most of the material I am familiar with is very dark and has an intense sharp urine\/animalic aroma, this type of Hyraceum is much lighter in colour and has a different scent profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI collected the light-coloured stone I used to prepare the Hyraceum tincture Blonde from higher up on the rock walls above the black Hyraceum. As the centuries go by and this liquid makes its way to the ground, it builds up layers of mineralized material often forming stalactites. It is more of an intermediary product with colour and scent different from the final black deposits and a more ancient aroma..\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have taken some photos of it in it's natural state and will post them when I return from Kenya.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt a ratio of 1:10 in alcohol it is a light yellow without the dark tarry notes and colour. (See comparison photo above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHyraceum Tincture Blonds opens with tenacious notes of Musk and sweet, aged Civet with a soft backdrop of Castoreum, Tobacco and Oud.\u003cbr\u003eI find it a calming and comforting scent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing raw about it. It smells like an aroma that has taken hundreds, if not thousands, years to develop, refine, and mature.\u003cbr\u003eThe rock was collected in Kenya, and with some luck, I will be able to gather more on my coming trip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: perfume alcohol, Mineralized poop, Hyraceum.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":34798567653510,"sku":"096-HYRAX-1","price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":34798567686278,"sku":"096-HYRAX-5","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":34798567719046,"sku":"096-HYRAX-10","price":46.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":34798567751814,"sku":"096-HYRAX-30","price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":40184094818438,"sku":"096-HYRAX-100","price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/Hyraceum_Tincture_Blonde_1.jpg?v=1691759384"},{"product_id":"sweet-castoreum-raspberry-castoreum-a-tincture-of-uncured-castor-10-castorii-dulce","title":"Sweet Castoreum","description":"\u003cp\u003eSweet Castoreum is not your regular castoreum tincture prepared from aged and cured Beaver Castors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eSweet Castoreum, or \"Raspberry Castoreum\". is made from the uncured and still liquid secretion found in the fresh sacs and has a very different aromatic profile than traditional Castoreum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweet Castoreum boasts notes of Brandy, Raspberry and molasses. It is much brighter, fruitier, livelier and more vivid than the Castoreum we are used to smelling.\u003cbr\u003eThough it still has many of the nuances we associate with cured Castor, it offers the perfumer and compounder an accord that is quite different from the traditional material on their palette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoreum is a traditional and highly valued natural perfume ingredient. It is prepared in alcohol as a tincture of the aged, dried scent glands of the adult Beaver, Castor Canadensis, in North America and Castor Fiber, native to Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInitially, the unripe secretion has some short notes, but it also has some very unusual, light and fruity notes. When aged in alcohol, the harsh edge dissipates, and the uplifting fruity notes come forth and stay available through the maturation of the tincture. When used as a perfume ingredient. Sweet Castoreum has surprising fruity\/floral and sweet \"green\" notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditional Castoreum is a musky, warm, rich animalic scent that lends itself to the creation of leather perfume notes and accords. It is often used as a key component in masculine scents. In conventional perfumery, it is considered a base to middle note.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe glands, or \"Castor Sacs\", in both male and female adults, produce a scent that is thought to be both a sexual attractant and a territorial marker. It contains pheromone-like compounds, monoterpenes, phenols, ketones and other fragrant chemicals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrappers work hand in hand with the government to control overpopulation which is thought to benefit both the Beaver and Human communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoreum, also called tincture of Castoreum, lends a warm animalic note to perfumes and is considered safe for aromatic applications. It is designated GRAS (Generally recognized as safe), by the FDA for use as a natural aroma and flavouring in the food and tobacco industries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Beaver has been trapped for millennia by indigenous peoples around the world, valued for its waterproof pelt, as a food source, and for the odoriferous and medicinal properties of its sacs. The inner \"hairs\" of the Beaver pelt have tiny hooks on their tips, which make it ideal for felting and the production of hats and clothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the past, Beavers were overhunted, nowadays, the trapping of Beavers is regulated, and consideration is given to the Beaver's impact on wetland ecology and the environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough Castoreum is no longer popular as a medicine, it has been used as an antipyretic, ( to lower the temperature), an anodyne similar to Aspirin ( it contains salicylic acid), an anti-inflammatory and ant-epileptic. It is said to increase blood pressure and cardiac output and has been used for the treatment of hysteria and dysmenorrhea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scent of Sweet Castoreum is persistent and enduring. It is a fragrance component that can greatly extend the lifespan of a perfume. I have experimented with a few drops of Castoreum on blotting paper. After 6 weeks, the scent was still strongly present, and it may have persisted longer had I not misplaced the blotting paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoreum blends well with Clove, Nutmeg, Cardamom and other spices, Jasmine, Oakmoss, Liquorice, Vetiver, Patchouli and Spikenard, and many types of Pine, Spruce, Fir and cedar. It seems to have a natural affinity with other aromatic citizens of our northern forests and woods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are man-made chemical compounds that can be used as ethical replacements for naturally sourced Castoreum and other animal scents. Should we use them instead of natural materials? I don't believe there is one answer that suits us all. We each need to be true to our heart, our personal ideals and philosophy, and examine and respond to each situation individually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we nurture and deepen our relationship as individuals with Nature, the Planet and the Divine, the answers to questions of ethics become clearer and more obvious to us. This is our foremost responsibility as individuals and as a global culture. Some questions in life have simple answers, others are complex and are not \"One size fits all\". This is a case of the latter. I believe that only by engaging and embracing Nature in an intimate and meaningful way as individuals, can we be responsive to her needs, and make informed choices individually and globally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFor instructions on how to prepare your own Castoreum and other aromatic products from Castors, please see my post here-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\" title=\"How to prepare Castoreum and other aromatic delights\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ehttps:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Sweet Castoreum, Beaver Castor, Perfumers Alcohol.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":34798569947270,"sku":"090-SWEETCAST-1","price":11.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":34798569980038,"sku":"090-SWEETCAST-5","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":34798570012806,"sku":"090-SWEETCAST-10","price":64.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":34798570045574,"sku":"090-SWEETCAST-30","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":41547339268230,"sku":"090-SWEETCAST-100","price":412.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/Sweet_Castoreum_1.jpg?v=1696783801"},{"product_id":"hyraceum-stone-musk-africa-stone-dassie-perfume-and-incense-ingredient-mineralized-crystalline-stones-sustainably-and-ethically-sourced","title":"Hyraceum Stone","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHyraceum stone is one of the few truly sustainable animal musks. Unfortunately, I purchased a HUGE amount last year, and since my new storage space is limited, I decided to drop its price to clear my shelves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e33% off the regular price while it lasts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHyraceum Stone is a traditional medicine, perfume and incense ingredient\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e with a rich, deep Musk fragrance reminiscent of Deer Musk, Castoreum, leather and tobacco.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eExplaining precisely what Hyraceum is is always fun.\u003cbr\u003eTo be succinct, Hyraceum is the mineralized urine and feces of the Rock Hyrax, the only other animal related to the elephant. (Even though it looks more like a Groundhog and doesn't have a long nose.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRock Hyrax communities deposit their excrement in the same place for thousands of years. These smelly aggregates are called middens and also serve the function of territorial markers. These middens can be as old as 50.000 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeposits of Hyraceum stone are spread across the mountainsides of Africa, and the material is collected without impact on the animal population. Considering the small amount used in perfumery, this material is both ethically collected and sustainably sourced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRock Hyrax are most often found basking on warm rocks in sunshiny places from South Africa to Israel and Lebanon. They are a favourite food of Vultures, Leopards and other predatory carnivores and for this reason, seldom stray far from the cracks and crevices of their mountain-side domiciles. (See photo above).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough used in traditional medicine, Hyraceum stone is better known for its use as a musk note and fixative in perfumery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese dark and intensely fragrant rock pieces have a wonderfully warm musk-like animalic scent. Upon inhalation, one will discover notes of Castoreum, Deer Musk, leather, Tobacco and some of the subtle, floral notes of aged Civet tincture. I find the aroma oddly comforting and grounding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo prepare a standard tincture of Hyraceum stone for perfume work, the material is ground fine in a sturdy mortar and infused at a ratio of 1:10 in ethanol @ 95%. (1 gram to 10 grams alcohol, 10 grams Hyraceum to 100 grams alcohol, 100 grams to 1 kilogram alcohol, etc.) I have found that it needs a full year to yield itself completely to the alcohol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn absolute or resin absolute of Hyraceum can be prepared from a tincture, (at any ratio) if the alcohol is evaporated after maceration and filtration. It should dissolve readily in alcohol. Hyraceum does not yield itself directly to infusions in fixed\/carrier oils. An intermediate solvent might facilitate this, but I have not found one yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePowdered or tinctured Hyraceum may have value in Incense -making. I will have to try it out...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Hyraceum, Africa Stone, Dassie.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"5","offer_id":34798570373254,"sku":"205-HYRAC-5","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":34798570406022,"sku":"205-HYRAC-10","price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25","offer_id":34798570438790,"sku":"205-HYRAC-25","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50","offer_id":34798570471558,"sku":"205-HYRAC-50","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":34798570504326,"sku":"205-HYRAC-100","price":80.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200","offer_id":34798570537094,"sku":"205-HYRAC-200","price":140.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/Hyrax_sq_rs.jpg?v=1773305138"},{"product_id":"tincture-of-propolis-for-perfume-incense-and-medicine","title":"Propolis Tincture @ 20% for Perfume \u0026 Incense","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Propolis tincture has a boozy, sweet, warm, musky animalic, resinous amber-like fragrance with hints of Molasses and Black Cherry. Its scent is reminiscent of Poplar Bud resin, often making up a good portion of the Bee's building material for Propolis. It blends nicely with many essential oils, perfumes and incense materials.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA fragrant, brown\/black and brittle compound at room temperature, Propolis is a fragrant resinous material bees produce for keeping the hive septic and germ-free. Created from the resin of different plants by the bees through the seasons, each batch of Propolis varies both in its scent and its chemical profile depending on the season, and the local and plant material that is available to them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePropolis can be used both powdered, in its raw form, and blended as a tincture with other ingredients in various incense types. A small perfume sprayer\/mister can be used for even dispersal. It's robust amber, musk-like scent transforms single-ingredient and compound incense blends with an unexpected, rich exotic touch. The raw Bee Propolis can be burned directly on the heater or the coals or added to a blend.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf you want to experiment with fresh Propolis or make your tincture or incense, please see the shop listing for raw Propolis.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":34798578073734,"sku":"019-TNCTB-1","price":7.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":34798578106502,"sku":"019-TNCTB-5","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":34798578139270,"sku":"019-TNCTB-10","price":46.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":34798578172038,"sku":"019-TNCTB-30","price":112.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":34798578204806,"sku":"019-TNCTB-100","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/opropolis_tincture_1_RS.jpg?v=1754060836"},{"product_id":"castoroleum-an-oil-extract-of-aged-beaver-castor-perfume-and-beard-oil-ingredient-aphrodisiac-pheromones-musk","title":"Castoroleum-Castoreum Oil","description":"\u003cp\u003eCastoroleum is an oil extract of cured beaver Castors for oil-based\/solid perfumes, beard oils and Moustache waxes. Like the alcohol tincture of Castor, the oil extract helps fix a fragrance and adds deep soft and enduring leather notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eThe animal essences and aromatic materials do not lend themselves to distillation so we will find no essential oils of Castor, Civet or Muskrat. This is one factor limiting their use in oil-based perfumes, solid perfumes, beard balms and moustache waxes. Tinctures and absolutes of the animalics often do not dissolve readily in alcohol or oil, dropping substantial residue in the solution and not delivering the full potency or spectrum of their aromas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a few years of experimenting and exploring various processes, I finally found a method that yields consistently high-quality perfume oil from Beaver Castor. And I called it Castoroleum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis product is made using a hot oil infusion and a 6-month maceration of the ground, cured Castors in warm Fractionated Coconut oil. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen full Castor sacs are properly cured, one finds a solid, brittle, aromatic resin that will mostly dissolve in alcohol and warm oils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoroleum is prepared at a concentration of 1:3 using 1-2 year cured Canadian Beaver Castors infused\/extracted in Fractionated Coconut oil which has an indefinite shelf life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI used a small amount of Benzyl Benzoate to first loosen up the material and draw out some of the compounds that were reluctant to dissolve in Fractionated Coconut oil. Benzyl Benzoate is an aromatic compound and solvent that is found in abundance in Benzoin resin, Ylang Ylang flowers, Beaver Castors and other aromatic materials. It has become my go-to solvent for resins and compounds that need a little help dissolving in alcohol or oils. Benzyl benzoate has a slight vanilla-ish odour and acts as a fixative in perfumery. It dissolves in both alcohol and oils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce upon a time, most, if not all our perfumes were oil based. We had developed sophisticated methods and techniques for producing high-quality and enduring perfumes from the natural materials around us. Unfortunately, we have lost much of this knowledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Castor glands used to prepare Castoroleum are purchased from Canadian trappers who are licensed by the Provincial government to cull a specific number of Beavers each year. The culling is part of a program to maintain an optimum number of beaver colonies, a healthy Beaver population and avoid conflict between animals and man. Beavers cannot be transported to new areas since they are HIGHLY territorial and do not take well to the proximity of other beaver clans. The use of illegal leg traps is banned by Canadian provincial governments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor instructions on how to prepare your own Castoreum and other aromatic products from Castors, please see my post here-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\" title=\"How to prepare Castoreum\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehttps:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Aged Castors, FCO, Fractionated Coconut oil, Beaver Castors, benzyl benzoate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":34798596161670,"sku":"094-CASTOIL-1","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":34798596194438,"sku":"094-CASTOIL-5","price":32.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":34798596227206,"sku":"094-CASTOIL-10","price":54.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":34798596259974,"sku":"094-CASTOIL-30","price":124.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":40183222272134,"sku":"094-CASTOIL-100","price":325.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/Castoroleum-1.jpg?v=1691591190"},{"product_id":"skunk-perfume-tincture-full-strength-natural","title":"Skunk Perfume tincture-FS","description":"\u003cp\u003eI have always been intrigued by the odor of Skunk spray. Though more often than not, it is simply too much to digest when met head-on in its full glory, I have wondered at its perfume potential, well diluted and in minute quantities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eWhat would it add to my fragrance palette? Could it bring that special something to a fragrance that nothing else would?\u003cbr\u003e Though I haven't gotten around to exploring the full potential of Skunk in natural perfume as much as I would have liked yet, I still keep some in my perfume organ at different dilutions.\u003cbr\u003e It is a promising and intriguing material I look forward to working with further.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSkunks are traditionally trapped for their fur by aboriginal hunters and trappers in North America. Often there is no use for the scent gland. This offers us a way to honor the animal and use a part of it that may otherwise be discarded. It is an available resource that has little value in any market. Its purchase benefits those that work in the wild and who are often the stewards of our wild places and animal populations.\u003cbr\u003e Made with fresh Skunk glands tinctured in alcohol, a minute amount goes a long long way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have found the full strength tincture can only be worked with once diluted to at least 1:50 with alcohol.\u003cbr\u003e You will find the pre-diluted tincture here.https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/653280351\/skunk-perfume-tincture-2-natural\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Perfume alcohol, skunk glands.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1 mL","offer_id":34798601142406,"sku":"018-LEPEW-1","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5 mL","offer_id":35023073247366,"sku":"018-LEPEW-5","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10  mL","offer_id":35023073280134,"sku":"018-LEPEW-10","price":67.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 mL","offer_id":40378322354310,"sku":"018-LEPEW-30","price":169.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/products\/il_fullxfull.2110351305_ttfu.jpg?v=1691200672"},{"product_id":"hyraceum-musk-oil-for-perfumery-grooming-74616","title":"Hyraceum Musk Oil","description":"\u003cp\u003eHyraceum Musk Oil is prepared in Fractionated Coconut oil with the dark Hyraceum stone that you will find in the shop. It has a beautiful deep fragrance profile with sweet dry notes of Deer Musk, aged cognac, soft leather and sweet blonde tobacco.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eHyraceum Musk Oil opens with heavy, sweet Indolic notes reminiscent of the heart of Jasmine and quickly dries down to reveal a soft Deer Musk character. My guess is that it would blend well with florals as well as oriental and Amber type perfume compositions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll in all it has a very pleasing deep, rich and smooth fragrance profile.\u003cbr\u003eIt contains the equivalent of two batches of Hyraceum tincture and is a little dearer for this reason but I believe it is well worth the extra few dollars. It is the closest natural aromatic to Deer musk I have yet to smell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHyraceum Musk Oil is a very unique item, and as far as I can tell, is available nowhere else. It took a few months to perfect a system of transferring the characteristic Hyraceum aroma to the oil. I will share the process at some point on the blog. If enough people are interested...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHyraceum, AKA African Stone or Dassie, is traditional medicine and perfume ingredient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplaining precisely what Hyraceum is is always fun.\u003cbr\u003eTo be succinct, Hyraceum is the mineralized urine and feces of the Rock Hyrax, which is the only other animal related to the elephant. (Even though it looks more like a Groundhog and doesn't have a long nose.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRock Hyrax communities deposit their excrement in the same place for thousands of years. These smelly aggregates are called middens and also serve the function of social and territorial markers. These middens can be as old as 50,000 years.\u003cbr\u003eRock Hyrax are often found basking on warm rocks in sunshiny places from South Africa to Israel and Lebanon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough a traditional medicine, Hyraceum is better known for its use in perfumery, where it can deliver notes of leather, Deer Musk, Civet, Castoreum and Cade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHyraceum Dark and Light have different fragrance profiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe light-coloured hyraceum stone is found on the rock walls above the black Hyraceum. As the centuries go by and this liquid makes its way to the ground, it builds up layers of mineralized material, often forming light-coloured stalactites that have developed their own scent profile distinct from the black deposits that form towards the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can purchase dark Hyraceum stone in the shop and make your own tincture or oil. I use a 1:9 ratio of stone to 95% alcohol, powder it finely and let it macerate for one year. Here is the listing-https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/811622815\/hyraceum-stone-musk-africa-stone-dassie\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Hyraceum, Dark hyraceum, Fractionated Coconut Oil.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":39284422606982,"sku":"252-HYRAXOIL-1","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":39284422639750,"sku":"252-HYRAXOIL-5","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":39284422672518,"sku":"252-HYRAXOIL-10","price":62.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":39284422705286,"sku":"252-HYRAXOIL-30","price":145.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":39284422738054,"sku":"252-HYRAXOIL-100","price":375.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/Hyraceum_Oil_3.jpg?v=1691756632"},{"product_id":"hyraceum-powder-natural-musk-fresh-ground-25191","title":"Hyraceum Powder","description":"\u003cp\u003eHyraceum Powder-African Stone is traditional medicine, perfume and incense ingredient.\u003cbr\u003eIt has a rich, deep Musk fragrance reminiscent of Deer Musk, Castoreum, leather and tobacco.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eI ground the Hyraceum powder myself as a convenience for my customers. Hyraceum is very a hard stone and a difficult material to powder at home due to its density and hardness. Mineralized after thousands of years, it is more likely to grind down one's coffee grinder before it is powdered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplaining precisely what Hyraceum is is always fun.\u003cbr\u003eTo be succinct, Hyraceum is the mineralized urine and feces of the Rock Hyrax, the only other animal related to the elephant. (Even though it looks more like a Groundhog and doesn't have a long nose.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRock Hyrax communities deposit their excrement in the same place for thousands of years. These smelly aggregates are called middens and also serve the function of territorial markers. These middens can be as old as 50000 years!!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe deposits are spread across the mountainsides of Africa, and the material is collected without impact on the animal population. Considering the small amount used in perfumery, this material is both ethically collected and sustainably sourced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRock Hyrax are most often found basking on warm rocks in sunshiny places from South Africa all the way to Israel and Lebanon. They are a favourite food of Vultures, Leopards and other predatory carnivores and, for this reason, seldom stray far from the cracks and crevices of their mountain-side domiciles. (See photo above).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough used in traditional medicine, Hyraceum is better known for its use as a musk note and fixative in perfumery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis dark, fragrant Hyraceum powder has a wonderfully warm musk-like animalic scent. Upon inhalation, one will discover notes of Castoreum, Deer Musk, leather, Tobacco and some of the subtle, floral notes of aged Civet tincture. I find the aroma oddly comforting and grounding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo prepare a standard 10% tincture of Hyraceum for perfume work, the material is infused at a ratio of 1:9 in ethanol @ 95%. (1 gram to 9 grams alcohol, 10 grams Hyraceum to 90 grams alcohol, 100 grams to 900 grams of alcohol, etc.) I have found that it needs a full year to yield itself completely to the alcohol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn absolute\/resinoid\/Resin absolute of Hyraceum can be prepared from a tincture (at any ratio) if the alcohol is evaporated after maceration and filtration. It should dissolve readily in alcohol. Hyraceum does not yield itself directly to infusions in fixed\/carrier oils. An intermediate solvent might facilitate this, but I have not found one yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTinctured Hyraceum can be used in incense blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Hyraceum, Africa Stone, Dassie, Powdered Hyraceum.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"5","offer_id":39968381206662,"sku":"205-HYRACPWD-5","price":13.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":40678859702406,"sku":"","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25","offer_id":40678859735174,"sku":"","price":44.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50","offer_id":40678859767942,"sku":"","price":76.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":40678859800710,"sku":"","price":139.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200","offer_id":40678859833478,"sku":"","price":255.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/products\/il_fullxfull.2366484155_s18n_09cb9080-6b79-4a81-8030-4394696293b5.jpg?v=1691758952"},{"product_id":"muskrat-musk-gland-paste-for-preparing-66186","title":"Muskrat musk gland paste","description":"\u003cp\u003eMuskrat musk gland paste is a pure blend of Muskrat musk glands, with alcohol and salt as preservatives. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eI use Muskrat Musk gland Paste is  to prepare the alcohol tincture of Muskrat musk in the shop. It is a beautiful ingredient for perfume use and may benefit incense makers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is one of my favourite aromatic extracts and I never cease to sigh in gratitude and revel at its beauty each and every time I smell it.\u003cbr\u003eAn oil-based perfume musk can be created from the alcohol tincture, however, one needs to make sure all fats are removed prior to an oil maceration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo prepare a perfume, (or incense), tincture from  Muskrat Musk gland paste, take 1 part Muskrat gland paste and blend with 5-10 parts alcohol @ 95%. ( I often use a ratio of 1:5 for a stronger tincture, but 1;10 can work equally well though a bit lighter in strength).\u003cbr\u003eLet macerate in a warmish spot for 4-6 weeks, filter through paper and your natural Musk tincture will be ready to use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike Civet or Ambergris tincture, Muskrat Musk tincture can transform a perfume blend in ways that an essential oil simply can't. These animalic extracts add an extra dimension, a spark, and extra facet to blends that is often difficult, (for me), to describe. Muskrat tincture also acts as a fixative in aromatic blends, helping to anchor more fleeting notes and extend their longevity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fragrance of Muskrat Musk has been eloquently described by one of my customers as follows, \" It is slightly sweet, mellow, floral, ambiguous, oscillating between urine\/fecal side and cashmeran-y soft almost wool-like scent, exactly how a musk should be\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnimal musk has been a vital part of perfumery for centuries. it is used to add sensuous animalic and arousing aphrodisiac elements in our creations. Many musks are considered base notes and fixatives in perfumes. They transform botanical perfumes, add extra dimension and a sense of \"Down and dirty\" or \"Sweet and sultry\" and often an extra heart-skip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a number of animals around the world that produce similar musk fragrance compounds.\u003cbr\u003eAmong them, the Musk Deer, Musk crocodile, the musk ox, the musk duck and of course, the Musk Rat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese animals were trapped for their fur and much of this material goes to waste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"The Musk Rat or Ondatra zibethicus in Latin is native to North America. Its specific name zibethicus means ‘musky’, being the adjective of zibethus ‘civet musk; civet’, or Civet-like in Latin. The genus name comes from the Huron word for the animal, ondathra, and entered New Latin as Ondatra via French\".(Wikipedia).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMusk Rat Musk lends a soft warm animalic note to perfumes. It is a wonderful addition to floral, Fougere and other perfume blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMusk Rat Musk adds an extra dimension to perfume blends and enlivens them. Though a high % of Musk Rat Musk tincture can be used in a perfume blend, even a small amount will impact a composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShould we use animal products in our food, cosmetics and aromatic materials? I have found there is no universal answer that suits us all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI believe that only by engaging and cultivating our own intimate and personal relationship with Nature, can we plot our own path and divine our own code of ethics. Only then can we be responsible and responsive to Nature's needs, true to ourselves, and make informed choices that ultimately affect us all globally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Muskrat musk glands paste, Muskrat musk, Alcohol, Salt.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"5","offer_id":39968386089094,"sku":"272-MUSKPASTE-5","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"15","offer_id":39968386121862,"sku":"272-MUSKPASTE-15","price":42.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":39968386154630,"sku":"272-MUSKPASTE-30","price":72.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50","offer_id":39968386187398,"sku":"272-MUSKPASTE-50","price":96.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":39968386220166,"sku":"272-MUSKPASTE-100","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/MuskratPaste.jpg?v=1696771963"},{"product_id":"muskrat-musk-oil-musk-aphrodisiac-a-16582","title":"Muskrat Musk Oil","description":"\u003cp\u003eA drop of \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMuskrat Musk Oil\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon the skin, starts out with a deep, classic Musk note which slowly sweetens to reveal light floral notes. It blends easily with one's personal aroma and adds an exotic and alluring aura. (In my experience).\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eThough intended for use as an ingredient in perfume blends, Muskrat Musk Oil has a wonderful aroma and effect when used on its own.\u003cbr\u003eIt lasts a surprisingly long time on the skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnimal musks have been a vital part of perfumery for centuries. It adds sensuous animalic and arousing aphrodisiac elements in our creations. Many musks are considered base notes and fixatives in perfumes. They transform botanical perfumes and add extra dimension and a sense of \"Down and dirty\" or physical arousal and attraction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral animals around the world produce similar musk fragrance compounds.\u003cbr\u003eAmong them, are the Musk Deer, Musk crocodile, musk ox, musk duck and of course, the Musk Rat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuskrat Musk oil is prepared from the fresh scent glands of the north American Muskrat, tinctured in alcohol for an extended period. The aromatic compounds are then transferred to Fractionated Coconut oil which has an extremely long shelf life. Like Jojoba oil, Fractionated Coconut oil will not oxidize or go rancid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese animals were trapped for their fur and much of this material goes to waste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"The Musk Rat, or Ondatra zibethicus in Latin, is native to North America. Its specific name, zibethicus, means ‘musky,’ being the adjective of zibethus, Zibad, ‘civet musk; civet,’ or Civet-like in Latin. The genus name comes from the Huron word for the animal, ondathra, and entered New Latin as Ondatra via French\".(Wikipedia).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt lends a soft, warm animalic note to perfumes and has an alluring sensuousness when applied directly to the skin, especially on pulse points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShould we use animal products in our food, cosmetics and aromatic materials? I have found that there is no universal answer that suits us all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI believe that only by engaging and cultivating our own intimately personal relationship with Nature can we plot our path and divine our code of ethics. Only then can we be responsible and responsive to Nature's needs, true to ourselves, and make informed choices that ultimately affect us all globally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven though this oil is much more labour intensive and requires more raw material to produce, I have kept the price the same as the tincture of Muskrat and affordable for everyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Muskrat Musk Oil Muskrat musk glands, Muskrat musk, Fractionated Coconut Oil.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":40020367900806,"sku":"302-RATOIL-1","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":40020367933574,"sku":"302-RATOIL-5","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":40020367966342,"sku":"302-RATOIL-10","price":64.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":40020367999110,"sku":"302-RATOIL-30","price":142.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":40020368031878,"sku":"302-RATOIL-100","price":321.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/il_fullxfull.4317637889_3qh0_d22409ca-2a1f-426f-84a3-099c58bf8496.jpg?v=1696772147"},{"product_id":"ground-castor-grade-1-cured-and-aged-91816","title":"Beaver Castors-Ground","description":"\u003cp\u003eGround Grade # 1 Beaver Castor powder, cured two years-Musk, Aphrodisiac-Pheremones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eThey are ready to tincture for incense or perfume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can be tinctured as-is in 95% alcohol to prepare Castoreum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeaver Castor powder is prepared from the aged scent glands of Castor Canadensis, the North American Beaver. The sacs have been cured for overtwo years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGround Castor can be used in incense directly for a stunning and rich animalic scent reminiscent of Saffron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGround Castor can be tinctured in alcohol and macerated for 1 to 6 months, and then filtered for use in perfume and incense. I find the aroma of the maceration continues to evolve for at least 6 months. They are often tinctured at a ratio of 1 part Castors to 9 parts alcohol for a 10% tincture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Castor \"Absolute\" can be prepared by evaporating the alcohol from the Castor tincture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastor sacs have been used for hundreds if not thousands of years in traditional medicine and fragrance arts. They are considered an aphrodisiac and an attractant to both genders. Traditional medicine systems used them as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and to treat hormonal imbalances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth Beaver genders possess castor sacs which are anal glands located in two cavities under the skin between the pelvis and the base of the tail. The castor sacs are not true glands (endocrine or exocrine) on a cellular level; hence references to these structures as preputial glands or castor glands are misnomers. (Wikipedia).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scent drawn from the glands is rich, deep, leathery and woodsy, smokey and sultry. It is a base note and fixative in mainstream and natural perfumery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeavers are traditionally trapped for their valuable waterproof fur, not for their scent glands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeaver trapping has been an important part of many North American aboriginal cultures, where a reverence for nature and her animals is an integral part of traditional hunting and trapping practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor instructions on how to prepare your own Castoreum and other aromatic products from Castors, please see my post here-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"How to prepare Castoreum\" href=\"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehttps:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Beaver Castors, Castoreum, Castor sacs, Castor Canadense.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"5","offer_id":40034980987014,"sku":"112-CASTORPWD-5","price":33.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":40034981019782,"sku":"112-CASTORPWD-10","price":62.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25","offer_id":40034981052550,"sku":"112-CASTORPWD-25","price":118.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50","offer_id":40034981085318,"sku":"112-CASTORPWD-50","price":231.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"75","offer_id":40034981118086,"sku":"112-CASTORPWD-75","price":323.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/Castor-Ground-3.jpg?v=1691521806"},{"product_id":"ambergris-gold-brown-grey-a-rare-03949","title":"Ambergris-Raw","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eAvailable while they last-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhite\/Grey \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmbergris. May 2026-\u003c\/strong\u003eFrom the coast of Ireland. Traditional dry, soft, breezy marine notes with hints of Violet. Fresh \u0026amp; uplifting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrey\/Gold Ambergris-July 25 \u003c\/strong\u003e2025-This new piece of Gold Ambergris leans towards brown with a rich, soft animalic aroma along with tobacco and green tea, mossy and woodsy notes. It was collected in Ireland, and it is rich, warm and complex.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrown Ambergris-sold out...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eAmbergris\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmbergris is one of those classic mystical ingredients that we find revered in many ancient texts and cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI use my Ambergris oils directly on the skin or beard and reserve tinctures for perfume and incense blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e An alcoholic tincture brings out notes different from oil extraction and highlights the tobacco and marine notes present in the material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn oil infusion creates a product with a different fragrance profile. It makes my heart skip every time. It is often softer, sweeter, more animalic and muskier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExcreted or regurgitated by the Sperm whale (depends on who you ask), Ambergris is thought to form in the digestive tract as a response to the irritation of residual squid beaks, which the whale cannot digest. With the aid of a compound produced in the whale's bile duct, a waxy substance coats the irritants and builds up in layers over the years. These layers are one indicator of genuine Ambergris. (Many materials that look similar to ambergris are regularly found on oceanic beaches worldwide).\u003cbr\u003eOnce Ambergris exits the whale, it can float on the ocean for years and lie undiscovered on a beach for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmbergris has been used as medicine and in food, and of course, it has been a key ingredient in the creation of perfume and incense for thousands of years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike other natural animalic fragrance compounds, the magic and power of Ambergris do not lie in the strength of its aroma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmbergris does not have an intense fragrance and does not transform a perfume by simply adding its aroma to the blend. Instead, it operates in a less obvious, overt manner, rounding out or pulling together a bouquet, adding depth, tenacity, dimension, and projection to a composition through a mechanism that is not well understood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmbergris is most often used in an alcohol tincture at a very low 1% to 3%.\u003cbr\u003eTypically, a tincture of Ambergris will be left to macerate at least 6 months before it is considered ready to filter and use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo a great degree, all animalics work on the principle of more is less.\u003cbr\u003eAt 1%, 1 gram of Ambergris yields 100 grams, or over 100 Milliliters of tincture.\u003cbr\u003eFor instructions on preparing your own Ambergris tincture, oil and Attar, please see my post here-\u003ca title=\"Ambergris-How to prepare an oil, attar and tincture\" href=\"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/ambergris-how-to-prepare-an-oil-attar-and-tincture\"\u003ehttps:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/ambergris-how-to-prepare-an-oil-attar-and-tincture\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Ambergris, Pure Ambergris.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1\/2 \/ White\/Grey","offer_id":41418524524678,"sku":"063-AMBLIGHT-1\/2","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1\/2 \/ Grey\/Gold","offer_id":40056780062854,"sku":"174-GOLDBERGRIS-1\/2","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1\/2 \/ Brown","offer_id":41547375378566,"sku":"420-BROWNBERGRIS-1\/2","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 \/ White\/Grey","offer_id":41418524557446,"sku":"063-AMBLIGHT-1","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 \/ Grey\/Gold","offer_id":40056780161158,"sku":"174-GOLDBERGRIS-1","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 \/ Brown","offer_id":41547375411334,"sku":"420-BROWNBERGRIS-1","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 \/ White\/Grey","offer_id":41418524590214,"sku":"063-AMBLIGHT-2","price":110.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 \/ Grey\/Gold","offer_id":40056780259462,"sku":"174-GOLDBERGRIS-2","price":110.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 \/ Brown","offer_id":41547375444102,"sku":"420-BROWNBERGRIS-2","price":110.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 \/ White\/Grey","offer_id":41418524622982,"sku":"063-AMBLIGHT-5","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5 \/ Grey\/Gold","offer_id":40056780357766,"sku":"174-GOLDBERGRIS-5","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5 \/ Brown","offer_id":41547375476870,"sku":"420-BROWNBERGRIS-5","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/white_Ambergris_4.jpg?v=1757009409"},{"product_id":"castor-sacs-grade-1-beaver-68980","title":"Beaver Castors Whole","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese are the dried and aged scent glands of Castor Canadensis, the North American Beaver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eCastor sacs have been used for hundreds if not thousands of years in traditional medicine and perfume making. Once dried, they are pulverized and used in incense. They are considered aphrodisiac and an attractant to both genders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10 grams will yield 100 millilitres of perfume tincture which can be used on its own or as an ingredient in a complex perfume creation.\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth beaver genders possess castor sacs and anal glands located in two cavities under the skin between the pelvis and the base of the tail. The castor sacs are not true glands (endocrine or exocrine) on a cellular level, hence references to these structures as preputial glands or castor glands are misnomers. (Wikipedia).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scent drawn from the glands is leathery and woodsy, smokey and sultry. It is a base note and fixative in mainstream and natural perfumery.\u003cbr\u003eThe perfume tincture is easily extracted through maceration in alcohol and through solvent extraction to create an absolute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGovernment agencies supervise Beaver trapping in Canada to limit the damage caused by beavers while maintaining a healthy ecosystem and animal population. Inhumane steel leg-hold traps are banned in Ontario and most other provinces.\u003cbr\u003eBeavers are traditionally trapped for their versatile waterproof fur, not for their scent glands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeaver trapping has been an essential part of many North American aboriginal cultures, where a reverence for nature and her animals is an integral part of traditional hunting and trapping practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese Castor sacs are #1 premium quality from a grading system of 3 qualities. #3 having the least amount of Castor in the sac and most damaged in the process of removal and drying.\u003cbr\u003eThey are cut and sold 10 gram increments and whole attached pairs can be purchased at a lower cost in bulk, by weight. Pairs average 50 to 200 grams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can be ground and tinctured \"as is\" or aged for as long as you desire. I have cured these sacs for 1-2 years and have made beautiful tinctures and extracts from them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastor makes a very unusual and exotic addition to incense blends when dried and ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor instructions on how to prepare your own Castoreum and other aromatic products from Castors, please see my post here\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\"\u003e-https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Cured Beaver Castors, Castoreum, Castor sacs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"5 grams","offer_id":40183202513030,"sku":"314-CASTORWHOLE-5","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 grams","offer_id":40056780587142,"sku":"314-CASTORWHOLE-10","price":42.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 grams","offer_id":40183202545798,"sku":"314-CASTORWHOLE-25","price":82.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50 grams","offer_id":40056780619910,"sku":"314-CASTORWHOLE-50","price":148.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"75 grams","offer_id":40183202578566,"sku":"314-CASTORWHOLE-75","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 grams","offer_id":40294103711878,"sku":"","price":224.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/Castor1.jpg?v=1691525126"},{"product_id":"hyraceum-tincture-dark-10-kenya-perfume-19980","title":"Hyraceum Tincture Dark","description":"\u003cp\u003eHyraceum tincture Dark is deeper in colour than the Hyraceum Blonde tincture and has a much darker and more intense fragrance profile with deeper notes of leather, tobacco, Castoreum and musk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eWhile the Blonde Hyraceum tincture has more sweet and floral notes (especially during dry-down), and a lovely dryness that compliments floral and Fougere perfume compositions, the dark Hyraceum delivers more of the darker animalic notes that Hyraceum is known for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI prepare the Blonde Hyraceum tincture from the light-coloured stone I collected from the higher outcroppings, while the Hyraceum Dark tincture is prepared from the dark \"Droppings\" of mineralized material that collect lower on the stone walls. You can see the difference between the two materials and their tinctures in the photos above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplaining precisely what Hyraceum tincture is is always fun.\u003cbr\u003eTo be succinct, Hyraceum is the mineralized urine and feces of the Rock Hyrax, the only other animal related to the elephant. (Even though it looks more like a Groundhog and doesn't have a long nose.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRock Hyrax communities deposit their excrement in the same place for thousands of years. These smelly aggregates are called middens and serve as social and territorial markers. These middens can be as old as 50.000 years.\u003cbr\u003eRock Hyrax are most often found basking on warm rocks in sunshiny places from South Africa to Israel and Lebanon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHyraceum is best known for its use in perfumery, where it can deliver notes of leather, Deer Musk, Civet, Castoreum and Cade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe light-coloured stone is found on the rock walls above the black Hyraceum. As the centuries go by and this liquid makes its way to the ground, it builds up layers of mineralized material, often forming stalactites that have developed their own scent profile distinct from the black deposits that form on the ground. (See a sample of light-coloured Hyraceum stone in the comparative photo above).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHyraceum tincture smells like something that has taken hundreds, if not thousands, years to develop, refine, and mature.\u003cbr\u003eThe Blonde material was collected in Kenya, and the dark stone in South Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: perfume alcohol, Mineralized poop, Hyraceum Stone.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":40147462160518,"sku":"215-HYRAXDARK-1","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":40147462193286,"sku":"215-HYRAXDARK-5","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":40147462226054,"sku":"215-HYRAXDARK-10","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":40147462258822,"sku":"215-HYRAXDARK-30","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":40147462291590,"sku":"215-HYRAXDARK-100","price":312.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/products\/il_fullxfull.4883472077_luw8.jpg?v=1681985925"},{"product_id":"musk-seeds-musk-ambrette-seeds-botanical-64090","title":"Musk Seeds-Musk Ambrette Seeds-Botanical Musk","description":"\u003cp\u003eMusk seeds are considered an excellent botanical replacement for Deer Musk, Moscus moschiferus. Musk Ambrette seeds are the secret ingredient in traditional Egyptian musks, such as Egyptian red musk. So, if you ever wondered how the Egyptians created this classic aroma with only botanical ingredients, you now know.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eMusk Ambrette-Musk seeds-Albemoschus moschata-AKA-Musk Mallow, Rose Mallow, Ambrette.\u003cbr\u003e The name Albemoschus is from medieval Arabic and has two translations: 1-Alb-Misk, which means heart of Musk, and the second tentative translation is Abu-l-misk, meaning father of Musk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA tincture with 95% alcohol will extract the aroma. If you attempt to extract this material directly in oil, you run the risk of extracting the fixed oils contained in the seeds, which will go rancid eventually. Once you create a tincture of the seeds, you can transfer the aroma to an oil of your choice. This will give you a long-lasting botanical musk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMusk Ambrette seeds act as a fixitive in aromatic compositions in much the same way as the animalics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome of you are itching to ask whether these seeds are viable, and can I plant them? Well, as far as I know, they are viable, and since Musk Mallow is on the CITES list of threatened plants, growing our own is an excellent and sustainable alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHave fun exploring the many facets and applications of this classic ingredient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Musk Seeds, Musk Ambrette Seeds, Musk Mallow Seeds, Rose Mallow Seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1\/2","offer_id":40435310821510,"sku":"355-AMBRETTE-1\/2","price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1","offer_id":40435310854278,"sku":"355-AMBRETTE-1","price":11.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2","offer_id":40435310887046,"sku":"355-AMBRETTE-2","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4","offer_id":40435310919814,"sku":"355-AMBRETTE-4","price":32.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8","offer_id":40435310952582,"sku":"355-AMBRETTE-8","price":58.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16","offer_id":40435310985350,"sku":"355-AMBRETTE-16","price":112.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/7R508749.jpg?v=1704465182"},{"product_id":"choya-nakh-onycha-essential-oil","title":"Choya Nakh-Onycha essential oil","description":"\u003cp\u003eChoya Nakh is the essential oil of Onycha (The \"doors of Sea snails), which is \"dry distilled into Sandalwood essential oil. Choya Nakh is traditionally used to create \"Amber\" accords, Fougere compositions, leather accords, and to add \"incense notes\" to perfume blends. Like other animal-sourced aromatics, it is an excellent fixative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eThis Choya Nakh essential oil is distilled using traditional methods by a family business in continuous operation since 1895.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe process of preparing Choya Nakh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Onycha is first processed by washing, scrubbing and removing all traces of snail meat. When clean, they are buried in the soil with a unique traditional compound for a few days, after which they are roasted to remove impurities. Then, they are placed in a special clay, Gooseneck Choya still. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe belly of the still sits over a fire, while the gooseneck is attached to a small bottle of pure sandalwood oil immersed in cool water. As the vapours arise from the heated Onycha, they come in contact with the cool sandalwood oil and condense into a liquid, blending with the Sandalwood essential oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe essential oil of fossilized Amber (traditionally used for jewelry-making), which is also created using the dry\/destructive distillation method, has some similar aromatic elements to Choya Nakh but, in my opinion, is inferior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe process of traditional Attar-making, which includes the presence of Sandalwood oil in the receiver, is transformative and elevates\/sublimates the distilled material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSome common misinformation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoya Nakh IS NOT MADE WITH TOASTED OR ROASTED SEASHELLS, as stated by most internet sellers of this product. This is incorrect information that has been copied and pasted from one site to another for over a decade.  This tells me no one has taken the time to research or get to know the products, processes, and materials. This is the trademark of modern internet information. We scrape and share everyone else's mistakes because we focus on profit-making rather than educating ourselves or the public.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSea shells are mainly composed of Calcium Carbonate.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eChoya Nakh is prepared from the operculum, AKA the \"doors\" of sea snails, which are constructed of corneous protein material. These two completely different materials will yield widely different results when distilled. So. Now you know. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOnycha-Operculum\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnycha has been an ingredient in traditional incense-making, perfume and medicine for thousands of years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso called Sweet Hoof, \"Devil's Fingernails \" (azafir al-shaytan in Arabic), Onycha is still a mainstay of traditional Somali Uunsi, Sudanese Dukhan and Arabian Bakhour. It is essential in Indian, Japanese, and Tibetan traditional incense formulas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExperts believe Onycha is the \"Tsiporen\" or Schelet, AKA the fingernail mentioned as one of the ingredients in the Temple incense \"Ketoreth\", mentioned in the Old Testament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnycha is still sold in traditional Apothecary shops and Souks in Africa, Arabia, and Asia; however, instructions for processing and using this material are sparse and vague.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many types of Operculum gathered from different sea snail species. Each culture and application has its preferences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoya Nakh acts as a fixative in perfume blends and, like other animal-sourced aromatic materials, opens, elevates and adds dimension to perfume blends that botanical aromatics cannot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Onycha in the shop\" href=\"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/products\/onycha-operculum-a-traditional-and-05315\"\u003eYou can find Onycha in the shop here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"Sample 1 Millilitre","offer_id":41403070939270,"sku":"405-CHOYA-1","price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 Millilitres","offer_id":41403070972038,"sku":"405-CHOYA-5","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 Millilitres","offer_id":41403071004806,"sku":"405-CHOYA-10","price":64.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 Millilitres","offer_id":41403071037574,"sku":"405-CHOYA-30","price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 Milliliters","offer_id":41418225057926,"sku":"405-CHOYA-100","price":525.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/choyadownsqrs.jpg?v=1730542021"},{"product_id":"hyraceum-absolute","title":"Hyraceum Absolute","description":"\u003cp\u003eHyraceum Absolute. Is a sweet, smooth animal musk with notes of Deer musk, Castoreum and Tobacco. It is one of my two favourite creations, the other being my \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/products\/musk-root-absoluteresinoid-ferula-80427\" title=\"Musk Root Absolute\"\u003eMusk Root Absolute\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI spent almost 4 months preparing this product and am delighted with the result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eThis is a thick but pourable liquid, prepared by finely powdering the rock-hard mineralized Hyraceum stones (Which was no mean feat!). The material was then macerated and stirred for 2 weeks in a warm water bath before filtering and distilling under a vaccuum. The collected alcohol was then added back in to the marc and the maceration process was repeated to collect all the aromatic molecules from the stone. So, a long process. But well worth the time and effort!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough it dissolves readily in alcohol, Hyraceum Absolute is in a base of DPG to hinder crystilization of the material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Hyraceum Absolute acts as a fixative and base\/heart-note in perfume compositions, anchoring more fleeting and volatile scents, it is likely useful in incense-making as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplaining precisely what Hyraceum is,is always fun.\u003cbr\u003eTo be succinct, Hyraceum is the mineralized urine and feces of the Rock Hyrax, the only other animal related to the elephant. (Even though it looks more like a Groundhog and doesn't have a long nose.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRock Hyrax communities deposit their excrement in the same place for thousands of years. These smelly aggregates are called middens and serve as social and territorial markers. These middens can be as old as 50.000 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRock Hyrax are most often found basking on warm rocks in sunshiny places from South Africa to Israel and Lebanon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHyraceum is best known for its use in perfumery, where it can deliver notes of leather, Deer Musk, Civet, Castoreum and Cade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":41518654062726,"sku":"421-HYRAXABS-1","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":41518654095494,"sku":"421-HYRAXABS-5","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"15","offer_id":41518654128262,"sku":"421-HYRAXABS-15","price":92.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":41518654161030,"sku":"421-HYRAXABS-30","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"50","offer_id":41518654193798,"sku":"421-HYRAXABS-50","price":321.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"100","offer_id":41551576760454,"sku":"421-HYRAXABS-100","price":575.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/hyraceum_abs_round_sq_rs.jpg?v=1766070873"},{"product_id":"castoreum-10-copy","title":"Cognac Castoreum-2019-10%","description":"\u003cp\u003eOver the years, I have spoken about a unique product I was working on that built on the natural aromatic affinity between Castoreum and Cognac. It is finally here and in the shop after maturing fo 6 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCognac Castoreum makes a wonderful perfume ingredient. The Cognac adds depth, intrigue, and soft, rich sensuality to the lush Castoreum, melding beautifully with the skin's natural aromas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003eCognac Castoreum reminds me of luxuriant leather chairs, Cognac swirling in crystal glasses amid the muted hum of important conversations. Originally meant to be infused with wet-cured tobacco leaves, I worried about adding nicotine to the product, so I decided to let customers add their own tobacco extracts to it. There is a wide range of tobacco absolutes that are safe for perfume use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a perfume ingredient that is easily duplicatable in any aromatic studio. I will share the formula with you if you like. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eWhat is Castoreum?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoreum, AKA beaver Castor tincture is a traditional and highly valued natural perfume ingredient made from the aged, dried scent glands of the adult Beaver, Castor Canadensis in North America and Castor Fiber, native to Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe glands, or \"Castor Sacs\", in both male and female adults, produce a scent that is thought to be both a sexual attractant and a territorial marker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoreum is a musky, warm, rich animalic scent which lends itself to the creation of leather perfume notes and accords. It is often used as a key component in masculine scents. In conventional perfumery, it is considered a base to middle note.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt contains pheromone-like compounds, monoterpenes, phenols, ketones and other fragrant chemicals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Castoreum is produced from aged material collected from Canadian Beavers, Castor canadensis. Trappers work hand in hand with the government to control over-population which is thought to benefit both the Beaver and Human communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoreum, also called tincture of Castoreum, lends a warm animalic note to perfumes and is considered safe for aromatic applications. It is designated GRAS,(Generally recognized as safe), by the FDA for use as a natural aroma and flavouring in the food and tobacco industries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Beaver has been trapped for millennia by indigenous peoples worldwide, valued for its waterproof pelt, as a food source, and for its odoriferous and medicinal properties. The inner \"hairs\" of the Beaver pelt have tiny hooks on their tips, which make it ideal for felting and the production of hats and clothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the past, Beavers were overhunted; nowadays, the trapping of Beavers is regulated, and consideration is given to the Beaver's impact on wetland ecology and the environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough Castoreum is no longer popular as a medicine, it has been used as an antipyretic ( to lower the temperature), an anodyne similar to Aspirin, an anti-inflammatory and an ant-epileptic. It is said to increase blood pressure and cardiac output and has been used for the treatment of hysteria and dysmenorrhea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scent of Castoreum is persistent and enduring. It is a fragrance component that can greatly extend the lifespan of a perfume. I have experimented with a few drops of Castoreum on blotting paper. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastoreum blends well with Clove, Nutmeg, Cardamom and other spices, Jasmine, Oakmoss, Liquorice, Vetiver, Patchouli and Spikenard, and many types of Pine, Spruce, Fir and cedar. It has a natural affinity with other aromatic citizens of our northern forests and woods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are man-made \"nature identical\" chemical compounds that can be used as ethical replacements for naturally sourced Castoreum and other animal scents. Should we use them instead of the natural materials? I don't believe there is one answer that suits us all. We each need to be true to our heart, our personal ideals and philosophy, examine and respond to each situation individually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we nurture and deepen our relationship as individuals, with Nature, the Planet and the Divine, the answers to questions of ethics become clearer and more obvious to us. This is our foremost responsibility, as individuals and as a global culture. Some questions in life have simple answers, others are complex and are not \"One size fits all\". This is a case of the latter. I believe that only by engaging and embracing Nature in an intimate and meaningful way as individuals, can we be responsive to her needs, and make informed choices individually and globally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor instructions on how to prepare your own Castoreum and other aromatic products from Castors, please see my post here-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\" title=\"How to prepare Castoreum\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehttps:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-prepare-castoreum-and-other-aromatic-delights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterials: Castoreum, Beaver Castoreum, Beaver Castor, Cognac, Perfumers Alcohol.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apothecary's Garden","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":41627288862854,"sku":"261-COGCAST-1","price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":41627288895622,"sku":"261-COGCAST-5","price":42.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":41627288928390,"sku":"261-COGCAST-10","price":72.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30","offer_id":41627288961158,"sku":"261-COGCAST-30","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":41627288993926,"sku":"261-COGCAST-100","price":475.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/files\/cognac_castoreum_1_rs.jpg?v=1741606259"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1464\/8794\/collections\/Civet.jpg?v=1613148420","url":"https:\/\/apothecarysgarden.com\/collections\/natural-perfume-ingredients-from-the-animal-world.oembed?page=2","provider":"Apothecary's Garden","version":"1.0","type":"link"}