Ambrette whole seed – Hibiscus abelmoschus

Whole ambrette seeds are small, dark brown seeds with an intense, sweet scent. Used whole or lightly crushed, they release a powerful, exotic aroma. They are used in natural perfumes, as well as in some traditional infusion recipes and homemade liqueurs.

Description

An annual or biennial tropical herbaceous plant, ambrette belongs to the Malvaceae family. It produces pods containing seeds with a distinctive fragrance. These seeds, rich in aromatic compounds, are dried and packaged whole to preserve their olfactory integrity.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Ambrette, vegetable musk, Indian musk
• Latin name: Hibiscus abelmoschus
• Family: Malvaceae
• Part used: Seed
• Form: Whole seed, dried
• Origin: India, South Asia, tropical Africa
• English name: Ambrette seed
• Name in German: Moschussamen
• Name in Spanish: Semilla de almizcle vegetal
• Name in Italian: Semi di ambretta
• Name in Arabic: حب المسك النباتي (Habb al-Misk an-Nabati)

Main virtues

Ambrette seeds are prized for their musky fragrance, used in natural perfumery. As an infusion, they impart warm, floral notes. They are also found in Ayurvedic preparations and homemade recipes such as aromatic liqueurs or scented powders.

Main constituents

Musk lactones (ambrettolide), fatty acids, aromatic esters, essential oil rich in farnesol and ambrettolide.

Use and dosage

• Infusion: 1 teaspoon of crushed seeds for 250 ml, infuse for 10 minutes covered.
• Perfume: seeds infused in alcohol or vegetable oil to create artisanal perfumes.
• Spice: used in small quantities in certain Ayurvedic preparations or exotic desserts.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Moderate use recommended in infusion: very concentrated fragrance.
• Avoid in pregnant or breastfeeding women without professional advice.
• Store away from heat and humidity to preserve aroma.

History and origin

Cultivated for centuries in India and Egypt, ambrette was used as a substitute for animal musk in natural perfume preparations. It features in numerous Ayurvedic treatises and was already known in medieval Arab perfumery. Its rarity and unique fragrance make it a sought-after ingredient.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: opaque jar, at a stable temperature and in a dry place.
• Packaging: kraft bag or dark glass jar.
• Appearance: small, spherical, rough brown seeds.
• Smell: warm, musky, slightly floral.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Natural Perfumery Manuals
• Traditional Ayurvedic texts
• Ethnobotany of exotic aromatic plants

🔎 Information

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