Among all the flavors of the world Musk is one of the most attractive scents for women. About his ability to magnetically act on the weaker sex, and to suppress the will of the men knew the ancient Arabs and Jews, who in the days of Moses used the miraculous qualities of matter. Artificial and natural, animal and plant it in the XXI century is one of the most expensive components of the perfume.

A little history

According to historians, the great commander Alexander the Great enjoyed increased popularity among women, not only because he was handsome and rich, but also because of his natural smell like the fragrance of musk. Emperor Henry III loved him so much that made his subjects used as a musk perfume. In ancient China, it was used as a remedy for headaches Headache , Migraine and snake bites.

"Musk" - is silnopahnuschih substance of natural origin, literally from the Latin meaning "egg" or "scrotum." It is a selection of some of the seminal glands of mammals such as the musk ox, beaver, muskrat, and the musk deer and musk deer. That's it for centuries was used for the production of animal musk - the main component of a love potion, and an integral part of love magic. In animal has a stomach pouch that contains an active state to forty grams of a dark yellow liquid jelly - musk.

Prior to 1979, production of the substance always ended with the killing of animals: to get one kilogram of musk, it was necessary to destroy the fifty species of musk deer. This rapid destruction over the centuries led to their almost complete extermination. It was only after "a deer with a fatal scent" (as it was called in Russia) was applied in the International Red Book, Saudi Arabia opened the farm on cultivation and humane production of musk. In Russia in the XIX century it was one of substance exports to France, only to extract it from the skins of smaller animals - Desman.

In 1888, Albert Bayer was found the first formula of artificial musk, which immediately began to be used in perfumery, in pure form or in the form of supplements to the main aromatic components. However, in 1981, we began to talk about the toxicity of this material and its harmful effects on human health, so in 1981 it was banned. However, the first artificial musk managed to leave a mark in such world-famous perfume as «Chanel №5» and «Lair du Temps» by Nina Ricci. After the announcement of the initial composition of toxicity slightly changed by changing an ingredient in the macrocyclic plant.

In addition to animal musk and can have a vegetable origin. It can be isolated from plants such as angelica and pharmacy hibiscus abelmosha. Essential oils of these plants have a slightly different chemical nature of the substance, a faint aroma and, besides, they are found in nature in very small amounts. However, macrocyclic musk pretty actively used in the XX century to create amazing perfumes. So, they took part in the composition of these spirits as «Tresor» by Lancôme.

The use of musk in the XXI century

From ancient times until the present day musk used as active ingredient mainly in men's fragrances, as well as to excite the nervous system and sexual desire in medicine. For the production of spirits, he became a truly indispensable when it comes to fixing the perfume composition. In addition, musk, getting on the body and heated, enhances their flavor.

In the middle of the XX century in Saudi Arabia it was first discovered farm for cultivation of musk deer. The bottom line comes down to collecting musk Sleep safe for animal health drugs and after catheter insertion in the iron fence on the stomach substance by mechanical squeezing (pumping). The animal musk is almost never used in the manufacture of perfumery in the XXI century, can not be said about the plant, which is part of such perfumes as the «Forever Elizabeth» by Elizabeth Arden, «Muscenone» and others.

Before use musk perfumes, it is subjected to special processing, sharpness and removing unwanted substances (protein, fats, and so on). Modern perfumers used musk to secure barely perceptible notes add flavor and sensuality, warmth and increase sexual desire. Animal Musk in 2010, a goal rarely used and only for the creation of expensive niche fragrances. The cost of a unique black musk of the highest quality, according to some sources, ranging from $ 50 for 1 gram.

In perfume compositions, according to experts, musk perfectly combined with essential oils such as jasmine, ylang-ylang, lemon and lemongrass, sandalwood, rose, bergamot and geranium.

Moreover it is applied in medicine. Thus, Arab doctors use the natural power of musk for treatment of impotence. Beaver Musk is a part of "Viagra", it is used for the prevention of heart disease and nervous system for the treatment of bronchitis and skin diseases. Musk also used the tree - the drug of ancient Tibetan medicine. It is also believed that musk helps in the early stages of cancer. In European medicine it is used very rarely.

They found a use in cosmetology. Musk is used for skin rejuvenation Five tips for skin rejuvenation: how to cheat age   face and wrinkles. It activates the formation of new cells and enhances intercellular communication in the epidermis, fills the shortage of moisture, vitamins and minerals. The massage is used for relaxing and anti-inflammatory effect.

Musk used in aromatherapy: it eliminates the negative thoughts and relaxes during meditation Meditation and women's health .

Galina Yampol'skaya

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