Castoreum (Castor Fiber) perfumes

Leather, tar, animal, smoky.

Source

This substance comes from beavers living in the wild or on farms in Alaska, Canada and Siberia.

Extraction Method

Castoreum is a dried follicular substance which comes from the secretion of the prepuce glands of male or female beavers. This secretion is stored in a gland that produces an oily substance. The beaver uses the oily substance to waterproof its coat and to mark its territory. The gland is treated with volatile solvents to obtain resinoids and absolutes. Today, beaver secretions are mostly replaced by synthetic substances.

Use

Mostly used in the composition of prestige perfumes, chypre, oriental, leather, amber or woody notes.

Medicinal properties

Antispasmodic.