Curious is to know the etymological origin of the term musk that you now have before you. And it is considered to be derived from the Sanskrit “mushka”, which can be translated as “testicle”.
It is called to a substance characteristic aroma that secrete various animals. Its fragrance and unctuousness make musk used in the production of perfumes and cosmetic products.
There are mammals that secrete musk from glands that are located in the area of the anus, perineum or foreskin. In birds, musk is secreted by glands that are located in the lower region of the tail.
Many animals are called musks for their ability to produce this type of substance. The best known is the musk deer, which carries the musk in a facial gland. The muskrat, the musk ox and musk duck are other animals with similar capacities for the production of musk.
Among all these exposed animals, we must emphasize that the musk deer is currently among the species that are in serious danger of extinction. And it is that not only has it lost its natural habitat but also its death has increased considerably, as a consequence of the enormous demand for natural musk.
It is important to note that the pure scent of natural musk is so intense that it is not pleasant to humans. Therefore, when making a perfume, only a small dose of musk is used. Scent based on the use of musk is often referred to as musk, a term from the English language.
As defined by Digopaul, the synthetic musks are those generated substances in laboratories that mimic the natural musk fragrance, but with a much softer scent. Depending on its composition, synthetic musk can become toxic.
Because obtaining natural musk requires the death of the animal, today its use is very restricted. This is why certain kinds of non-polluting synthetic musks are frequently used.
In addition to all the above, we can highlight another important series of curious data on musk, among which the following are particularly relevant:
-It is considered, since ancient times, that the smell of musk has a marked aphrodisiac effect, both in animals like even in humans. This is due, according to some theories, to the fact that its aroma is very similar to that of testosterone.
-There are various scientific studies that have made use of this element and which indicate that it has revitalized the sexual power of men up to eighty years old. All simply by using musk.
-In some corners of the world, as would be the case, for example, in Tibet and even Persia, musk is used as a component in certain foods. Exactly it is used in recipes that have an erotic or aphrodisiac character.
-Precisely because of that very particular characteristic related to sexuality, it even appears in the «Kamasutra».
