Sentry Page Protection
Amber, Succinum, Hu Po 琥珀
Ho Po (TCM)
Kahruba (Unani)
Kahruba (Unani)
Ortus Sanitatis, Beck, 1517
Museum Museorum, Valentini, 1704
A selection of Amber inclusions
Metallotheca Vaticana Opus Posthuman, 1719
Metallotheca Vaticana Opus Posthuman, 1719
Amber is semi-fossilized (actually cross-polymerized) ancient tree resin. It has a long history of use in Traditional Medicine, and appears in all traditions. It calms the Heart, Mind and Spirit, stops Spasms, moves the Blood, clears Stasis and relieves Pain, and promotes Urine. It is regarded in the Western tradition as being especially beneficial for the Uterus. It is used for Childhood Convulsions, Palpitations, Anxiety, Insomnia, excessive Dreaming, and painful or obstructed Menstruation. It is finely powdered to be taken orally in pills or powders, or may be dissolved in alcohol.
Mineralogical name:
Succinum
Parts Used:
Prepared Stone
There are a number of types and varieties which depend on age, origin, tree source of the sap etc. It may be opaque, translucent or clear and comes in various colors such as white, pale yellow, amber or honey colored, dark red, brown or black.
The white was often preferred in the west being said to be the most 'ripened' and has a better scent. However, it is expensive and not common on the market. The standard honey to brownish amber can be used and non gem quality can also be used. We could assume the red to be better for Blood disease but we find no mention of this in traditional texts.
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral. Sweet
Classifications:
2B ATTENUATERS 2M. DRAWING 2P. HEMOSTATICS 2S. STRENGTHENING MEDICINES
3C. ALEXIPHARMICS 3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS 3E. DIURETIC 3F. LITHONTRIPTIC 3G. EMMENAGOGUE
4a. CEPHALIC 4c. CARDIAC 4e. STOMACHIC 4i. UTERINE
Preparers and Purgers of Phlegm
TCM:
G. Sedate the Heart, Mind and Spirit
H. Nourish the Heart
K. Move the Blood
L. Stop Bleeding
Mineralogical name:
Succinum
Parts Used:
Prepared Stone
There are a number of types and varieties which depend on age, origin, tree source of the sap etc. It may be opaque, translucent or clear and comes in various colors such as white, pale yellow, amber or honey colored, dark red, brown or black.
The white was often preferred in the west being said to be the most 'ripened' and has a better scent. However, it is expensive and not common on the market. The standard honey to brownish amber can be used and non gem quality can also be used. We could assume the red to be better for Blood disease but we find no mention of this in traditional texts.
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral. Sweet
Classifications:
2B ATTENUATERS 2M. DRAWING 2P. HEMOSTATICS 2S. STRENGTHENING MEDICINES
3C. ALEXIPHARMICS 3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS 3E. DIURETIC 3F. LITHONTRIPTIC 3G. EMMENAGOGUE
4a. CEPHALIC 4c. CARDIAC 4e. STOMACHIC 4i. UTERINE
Preparers and Purgers of Phlegm
TCM:
G. Sedate the Heart, Mind and Spirit
H. Nourish the Heart
K. Move the Blood
L. Stop Bleeding
Uses:
1. Calms the Mind and Spirit, Calms Fright: (TCM, West)
-Palpitations with Anxiety, excessive or bad Dreams, Insomnia, Forgetfulness and Dreaminess.
-Childhood Convulsions, Apoplexy, Epilepsy, Lethargy and Vertigo
-‘fantastical Illusions and Frights that drive folks out of their Wits’. (Callistratus)
-Fear, Anxiety, Stress, Hyperemotionalism
-regarded as Exhilarant in Unani.
2. Strengthens the Brain and Nerves: (TCM, West)
-strengthens the Brain and Senses (West, Unani)
-Mental Dullness or deficiency
-adjunct for Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Diseases, Dementia
3. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis, Benefits the Womb: (TCM, West)
-‘It is the Life and Soul of Remedies dedicated to the cleansing of the Mother [uterus] and redresses all the defects thereof’ (Compleat Body of Chemistry, le Febure, 1670).
-strengthens and benefits the Womb. It 'recreates the Womb'.
-‘Fits, Rising, or suffocation of the Uterus’; PMS.
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-promotes Fertility and restrains Miscarriage.
-adjunct in Uterine growths, Fibroids, Enodemetriosis etc.
-Postpartum Blood Stagnation.
4. Moves the Blood, Clears Blood Stasis: (TCM, West)
-pain from masses associated with congealed blood, including Tumors.
-Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts
-Coronary Heart Disease, especially with Anxiety and Insomnia; Heart weakness (West, TCM)
-Palpitations, Arrhythmias (West, TCM)
5. Stops Bleeding: (TCM, West)
-styptic to stop bleeding
-Hematuria, bleeding from the Lungs
-excessive or irregular Menstruation
6. Benefits Kidneys, Promotes Urine, Clears Stone: (TCM, West)
-painful or deficient Urination (Pliny)
-Urinary obstructions; Prostatitis
-especially useful for Blood in the Urine.
-Stones of the Urinary tract
-some have used it for Incontinence.
7. Benefits the Lungs, Stops Cough and Wheezing: (TCM, West)
-violent Coughs, consumption of the Lungs, Asthma, and spitting of blood.
-worn in children to protect from Asthma
8. Strengthens the Stomach and Bowels:
-in Unani medicines to strengthen the Stomach and Bowels when chronically debilitated
-Poor Appetite, Indigestion
-Dysentery, Chronic Diarrhea, Stomach Pain
-it should be taken with Mastic or similar for this intention
9. Externally:
-applied topically to Sores, Boils, Carbuncles, and skin Ulcers. Also used for Wounds
-promotes Healing of Trauma
-widely worn to protect children from 'Evil Eye', Epilepsy etc.
-widely worn as 'teething necklaces' to help children when teething. Helps cut teeth, helps sooth and promote rest.
-worn traditionally for Goiter, Sore Throat, Tonsilitis, Asthma (sine Pliny)
-the Oil obtained form Amber was commonly applied to Headache, Pain, Paralysis, Cramps, Spasms, Convulsions etc.
-Worn as a necklace, it was said to protect and improve health. Especially recommended to be worn for Headaches, Toothaches, and Rheumatic pains.
-worn or applied topically for diseases of the Eyes.
DOSE:
Only used in pills or powders; it is not decocted.
250mg–1 gram, up to 3 grams (1 dram) Also Tincture, Spirit, Oil etc.
CORRECTIVES:
1. Aegle (Bengal Quince)
2. Quince extract
3. Licorice
4. Mastic
5. Violet
6. Pearl
SUBSTITUTES:
1. Vateria indica resin is commonly substituted in modern Unani
2. Tabasheer (Unani)
3. Often younger 'Amber' is used, being perhaps 1000's, not millions of years old.
ADULTERANTS:
The most common adulterants are Pine resin and Copal. Fake Amber jewellery is usually resin and should not be consumed. Fake Amber has been a problem since Antiquity.
NOTE:
1. Amber was formerly regarded as an important tonic for all the principle organs, the Brain, Heart, Lungs, Stomach, Liver, Kidneys and Uterus.
2. Clear Amber has a Fire nature and benefits Yang. Opaque and White Amber is more Yin and nourishing.
3. White Amber was regarded as having the best scent, being more 'digested', and was often preferred for medicine.
4. Amber, having originally been the 'Blood of a Tree' which has been sitting in the Earth for millions of years has a very calming and grounding nature. It also has a signature of transformation and of incorruptibility.
Only used in pills or powders; it is not decocted.
250mg–1 gram, up to 3 grams (1 dram) Also Tincture, Spirit, Oil etc.
CORRECTIVES:
1. Aegle (Bengal Quince)
2. Quince extract
3. Licorice
4. Mastic
5. Violet
6. Pearl
SUBSTITUTES:
1. Vateria indica resin is commonly substituted in modern Unani
2. Tabasheer (Unani)
3. Often younger 'Amber' is used, being perhaps 1000's, not millions of years old.
ADULTERANTS:
The most common adulterants are Pine resin and Copal. Fake Amber jewellery is usually resin and should not be consumed. Fake Amber has been a problem since Antiquity.
NOTE:
1. Amber was formerly regarded as an important tonic for all the principle organs, the Brain, Heart, Lungs, Stomach, Liver, Kidneys and Uterus.
2. Clear Amber has a Fire nature and benefits Yang. Opaque and White Amber is more Yin and nourishing.
3. White Amber was regarded as having the best scent, being more 'digested', and was often preferred for medicine.
4. Amber, having originally been the 'Blood of a Tree' which has been sitting in the Earth for millions of years has a very calming and grounding nature. It also has a signature of transformation and of incorruptibility.
Main Combinations:
Head, Brain, Spirit:
1. Epilepsy:
i. Amber with Rosemary, Lavender, Peony
ii. Amber with Peony Nutmeg Lavender (as in Powder for Childhood Epilepsy)
iii. Amber with Silver, Mistletoe and Coral
iv. Amber with Gold, Pearl, Red Coral
v. Amber with Peony root and seed, Mistletoe, White Dittany, Aloeswood, Red Coral, Pearl, Linden Wood charcoal (as in Pulvis Epilepticus Niger Viennensis)
vi. Amber with Pearl, Emerald, Aloeswood, Peony, Mistletoe (as in Pulvis Cephalicus Albus from Pharmacopoea Wirtenbergica, 1785)
2. Childhood Convulsions:
i. Amber, Peony, Mistletoe, Pearl, Red Coral, Bezoar, Gold (as in Powder for Childhood Convulsions)
ii. Amber with Saposhnikovia Fang Feng, Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang) (TCM)
iii. from Wind-Heat, Amber with Gastrodia Tian Ma, Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang), Pearl
iv. from Phlegm and Food, Amber with Dioscorea Shan Yao, Licorice, Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang), Sandalwood (Tan Xiang), Poria Fu Ling, Arisaema prepared with Bile Dan Nan Xing, Citrus Zhi Shi (as in Hu Po Bao Long Wan of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
v. from Wind-Phlegm, Amber with Bezoar, Scorpion, Pearl, Musk, Realgar, Gastrodia Tian Ma, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng, Arisaema prepared with Bile Dan Nan Xing, Pinellia Ban Xia, Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang), Borneo Camphor (Bing Pian), Mint (Bo He), Licorice (as in Niu Huang Zhen Jing Wan of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
3. Weakness of the Brain:
i. Amber with Aloeswood and Cubeb
ii. Amber with Mastic, Frankincense, Calamus
iii. Amber with Rosemary, Balm, Sage, Saffron, Pearl
4. Lethargy, take Amber with Diarrhodon Abbatis and Peony root
5. Vertigo, Dizziness:
i. Amber with Red Coral, Pearl and Peony root (as in Electuary of Great Virtue for Vertigo)
ii. Amber, Peony, Mistletoe
iii. Amber, Peony, Cinnabar
6. Apoplexy:
i. Amber, Burnt Deer horn, Aloeswood, Peony, Citron peel, Peared Sugar, Cinnamon (as in Powder for Apoplexy)
ii. Amber with Doronicum, Costus, Aloeswood, Cardamon, Coriander, Aniseed, Nutmeg, Clove, Citron, Cinnamon (as in Powder Against Apoplexy)
iii. Amber with Pearl, Emerald, Aloeswood, Deer horn, Peony, Citron peel (as in Powder Against Apoplexy)
7. Paralysis, Hemiplegia: Amber with Earthworm, Juniper, Rocket seed, Pyrethrum, Angelica, Arum, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Mastic, Myrrh, Amber (as in Spirit Against Palsy)
8. Paralysis, Arthritis, Convulsions, Nervous diseases, Amber with Peony, Mistletoe, Pearl, Cinnabar, Millipede, Earthworms, Viper powder (Pulvis Visceralis, Dispensatory of Prague)
9. Melancholy, Amber with Rosemary flower, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Angelica, Galangal, Pearl, Musk (as in Tinctura ad omnes affectus Melancholicos)
Heart:
10. Strengthen the Heart, Palpitations, Arrhythmia:
i. Amber with Rose, Bugloss, Balm, Cinnamon, Saffron, Red Coral, Sandalwood (as in Powder to Strengthen the Heart)
ii. Amber with Borage flower, Nutmeg, Bone of a Stag's Heart, Parsley (Wild Parsley, Sinomum)
iii. Amber with Zerumbet, Doronicum,
11. Palpitations:
i. from Heat, Amber with Aloeswood, Mastic, Armenian Earth, Rose, Aloeswood, Tabasheer, Melon seed, Cucumber seed, Camphor (Dispensatory of Ibn At Tilmid)
ii. Amber with Hyacinth (Zircon), Emerald, Basil seed (as in Pills for Palpitations from Dispensatorium medicum, Renou, 1615)
12. Warm the Heart, Amber with Mastic, Cinnamon, Basil, Mint, Long Pepper, Pearl, Red Coral, Red Behen, White Behen, Spikenard, Chebulic Myrobalan (as in Powder to Warm the Heart)
13. Cardiac, Cool the Heart, benefits Heart Yin:
i. Amber with Sandalwood, Rose, Citron peel, Sorrel seed, Aloeswood, Pearl, Red Coral, Tabasheer, Saffron, Camphor (as in Powder to Cool the Heart)
ii. Amber with Pearl, Tabasheer, Cinnamon, Tormentil, Armenian Earth, Sandalwood, Red Coral, Valerian, Zedoary, Aloeswood (as in Confectio Cordiales)
14. Melancholy affecting the Heart, Amber with Black Myrobalan, Chebulic Myrobalan, Emblic Myrobalan, Basil seed, Stoechas, Red Earth, Aloeswood, Red Coral, Silkworm cocoon (as in Powder for Evil Complexion of the Heart)
Fever, Epidemic Disease:
15. Epidemic Fever:
i. Spotted Fever, especially in Children, Amber with Bezoar, Red Coral, Pearl, Crab Claws (as in The White Powder)
ii. Amber with Myrrh, Saffron, Aloes, Armenian Earth, Red Coral, Chebula (Pilulae Contra Pestem Magistrales)
iii. Amber with Pearl, Red Coral, Unicorn (Narwhal) Horn
iv. Amber, Bezoar, Pearl, Angelica
Gynecology:
16. To cleanse the Uterus and remove obstruction to conception:
i. Amber with Aloe, Mastic and Agaric (as in Amber Pills)
ii. Amber, Myrrh, Cinnamon
17. Amenorrhea, Amber with Cinnamon and Saffron
18. Menstrual disorders, metrorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, delayed menstruation:
i. from deficiency: Amber with Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu), Paeonia Bai Shao, Dang Gui, Myrrh (Mo Yao), Olibanum (Ru Xiang), Asparagus root (Tian Men Dong), Corydalis Yan Hu Suo, Red Earth (Chi Shi Zhi), Amomum Sha Ren, Safflower (Hong Hua) (as in An Kun Zan Yu Wan of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
ii. Amber with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, Paeonia Bai Shao, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Ginseng, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Poria Fu Ling, Licorice, Motherwort (Yi Mu Cao), Amomum Sha Ren, Costus Mu Xiang (as in Ba Bao Kun Shun Wan of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
19. Spasms of the Uterus, Suppressed Menstruation, Amber with Peony, Myrrh, Galangal, Zedoary, Saffron, Camphor
20. Excess Menstrual Bleeding:
i. Amber with Red Earth, Mastic
ii. Amber with Egg shell, Deer horn, Dill (as in Powder for Menstrual Flux)
iii. Amber with Conserve of Rose, Hematite, Red Coral (as in Powder of Rose and Hematite)
iv. Amber with Hematite, Dragon's Blood, Red Coral, Alum, Pomegranate, Red Earth, Purslane seed (as in Powder for Excess Menstruation)
v. Amber with Oyster shell, Deer horn, Pomegranate, Red Coral, Tabasheer, Rose (as in Powder for Menstrual Flux)
21. Hysteria, Amber with Peony, Zedoary, Citron peel, Pearl, Clove, Saffron (as in Pulvis Hystericus)
Obstetrics:
22. Threatened Miscarriage, Amber with Plantain seed, Pearl, Red Coral, Mastic, Sealed Earth, Tormentil, Clove (as in Powder Against Abortion)
23. To promote Labor:
i. Amber with Cinnamon, Saffron and Myrrh (as in Birth Powder)
ii. Amber, Cassia Wood, Saffron, Mistletoe, Savin Wood, Borax (as in Powder of Borax)
iii. Amber with Eel Liver, Cassia Wood, Lapis Specularis, Borax, Saffron (Vienna Dispensatory)
24. Postpartum tonic, to ease pain and restore the Uterus:
i. Amber with Peach kernel, Comfrey and Nutmeg (as in Powder for After-pains)
ii. Amber with Comfrey, Meu Asthmaticum, Orange peel, Saffron, Coriander seed (Lemery, 1749)
iii. Amber, Turtle Shell, Cyperus rotundus (1 oz. each), Corydalis Yan Hu Suo, Myrrh (half oz. each), Rhubarb (quarter oz.). (Chinese Materia Medica, Stuauoft)
Move the Blood:
25. Chest Pain and Tightness, Shortness of Breath, Angina Pectoris, Arrhythmias:
i. Amber with Salvia Dan Shen, Borneo Camphor (Bing Pian)
ii. Amber with Saffron, Cinnamon
iii. from Qi and Blood stagnation with an intermittent pulse, Amber with Red Ginseng, Notoginseng San Qi, Salvia Dan Shen, Styrax Su He Xiang, Borneo Camphor (Bing Pian) (as in Ling Bao Hu Xin Dan of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
iv. Amber, Musk, Aloeswood
26. Bruising, Blood Stagnation::
i. Amber with Myrrh, Saffron
ii. Amber with Dang Gui and Zedoary (TCM)
iii. Amber with Madder, Comfrey, Myrrh, Frankincense (as in Powder for Bruises)
iv. Amber with Armenian Earth, Dragons Blood, Shilajit, Rhubarb, Madder, Clove, Myrrh (as in Tincture for Blood Stagnation)
v. Amber with Madder, Comfrey, Myrrh, Rhapontic, Frankincense (as in Powder for Bruise, Lemery, 1749)
vi. Injury, Uterine diseases, and certain Urinary diseases, Amber, Turtle Shell (Gui Ban), Cyperus rotundus Xiang Fu, Rhubarb (Da Huang), Myrrh (Mo Yao), Corydalis Yan Hu Suo (TCM, Porter Smith)
27. Hemorrhoids, Amber with Bdellium, Triphala, Black Myrobalan (as in Pills of Bdellium)
Bleeding:
28. Stop Bleeding:
i. Amber, Mastic
ii. Amber with Burnt Deer horn, Red Coral, Tragacanth, Pomegranate flower, Mastic, Frankincense (as in Troches of Amber)
iii. Amber with Psyllium, Orris, Mastic, Opium (Troches of Amber of Galen)
iv. Amber with Hematite, Dragons Blood, Red Coral, Alum, Pomegranate flower, Armenian Earth (as in Powder to Suppress Hemorrhage from the Dispensatory of Ibn At Tilmid)
29. Hemoptysis, Amber with Pearl, Dragons Blood, Tabasheer, Bistort, Licorice, Red Earth, Tragacanth, Pumpkin seed, Melon seed (Unani)
30. Amber with Hematite, Dragons Blood, Red Coral, Alum, Pomegranate flower, Armenian Earth (as in Powder to Suppress Hemorrhage)
31. Bleeding of the Stomach, Amber with Sealed Earth, Red Coral, Rose, Gum Arabic (as in Powder for Bleeding from the Stomach)
32. Urinating Blood, Amber with Armenian Earth, Gum Senegal, Pomegranate flowers, Henbane seed (as in Troches for Urinating Blood from the Dispensatory of Ibn At Tilmid)
Urinary:
33. Urinary Incontinence:
i. Amber with Frankincense, Caraway, Lesser Cardamon, Cinnamon, Sandalwood (Unani)
ii, Amber with Peony, Red Coral and Gum Arabic
iii. Amber with Cypress nut, Myrtle berry, Coriander, Red Coral, Tabasheer, Cyperus, Galangal (as in Electuary for Incontinence)
iv. Amber with Coriander seed, Red Coral, Aloeswood, Nutmeg, Red Sandalwood (as in Powder Against Incontinence)
34. Difficult or Suppressed urine:
i. Amber with washed Turpentine, Rhubarb, Licorice juice, Cinnamon (as in Pills of Turpentine of Crato)
ii. Amber with Celery seed, Parsley seed, Winter Cherry, Cinnamon, Burnt Crabs (as in Powder to Move Urine)
35. Gravel, Stones:
i. Amber with Nettle seed and Parsley seed (as in Powder of Lord George of Elt)
ii. Amber with Grape vine ashes, Sponge stone, Jew's Stone, Cinnamon (as in Powder for Gravel of Dr. Maghenbuch)
iii. Amber, Cyperus rotundus, Black Pepper, beat to powder and take a spoonful Fasting. It will cause urination and ease the pain of the Stone. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
36. Spermatorrhea /Gonorrhea, Amber with Angus Castus and Cuttlefish bone (Ettmuller)
37. Gonorrhea:
i. seeds of Cannabis, Millium Solis, Violet (½ oz.), Cucumber, Melon, Poppy (1 oz.), form an emulsion with Parsley water (qs); then add Amber powder, Crabs Eyes (1 oz. each). Form Penids. (Gazophylacium Medico-Physicum, Woyts, 1746)
ii. Cuttlefish bone (2 scruples), Red Coral, Hematite, Amber (1 scruple each), distilled oil of Calamus, of Amber (5 drops each). Powder. (Gazophylacium Medico-Physicum, Woyts, 1746)
Other
38. Phthisis, Lung Ulcers:
i. Amber with Rose, Pomegranate flower, Dragons Blood, Olibanum, Myrrh, Gum Arabic, Tragacanth, Mastic, Saffron, and form Troches with Miua Cydoniorum.
ii. Amber, Comfrey, Plantain, Frankincense, Tragacanth, Licorice
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
Not used for Deficient Heat (Heat from Yin deficiency). However, combining with Pearl will correct this.
Main Preparations used:
Spirit, Oil, Tincture etc.
1. Tincture of Amber:
Dose: 40–60 drops
1. Amber (1 part), Alcohol 32% (8 parts). Digest 10 days without heat, strain, filter.
ii. Amber (White) (1 oz.), Alcohol 38% (6 oz.). Digest 3 days in a gentle heat, decant, pour upon the residue more Alcohol (2 oz.). Digest a further 2 days, strain. Mix the tinctures, filter. (Pharmacopoeia Manualis, Antwerp, 1812)
2. Resin of Amber:
i. Amber (2 lbs.), Alcohol (4 lbs.). Digest 3 days in a sand-bath, decant. Treat the residue with more alcohol until it comes off colorless. Mix the tinctures, distil, then wash and gently dry the resin. (Dispensarium Lippiacum, 1792)
Not used for Deficient Heat (Heat from Yin deficiency). However, combining with Pearl will correct this.
Main Preparations used:
Spirit, Oil, Tincture etc.
1. Tincture of Amber:
Dose: 40–60 drops
1. Amber (1 part), Alcohol 32% (8 parts). Digest 10 days without heat, strain, filter.
ii. Amber (White) (1 oz.), Alcohol 38% (6 oz.). Digest 3 days in a gentle heat, decant, pour upon the residue more Alcohol (2 oz.). Digest a further 2 days, strain. Mix the tinctures, filter. (Pharmacopoeia Manualis, Antwerp, 1812)
2. Resin of Amber:
i. Amber (2 lbs.), Alcohol (4 lbs.). Digest 3 days in a sand-bath, decant. Treat the residue with more alcohol until it comes off colorless. Mix the tinctures, distil, then wash and gently dry the resin. (Dispensarium Lippiacum, 1792)
Salmon, Seplasium:
|
"It is called Chashemal and Chashemalah in Hebrew; Electron in Greek; Succinum, Ambra, Electrum, Carabe in Latin; in English, Amber.
'It is found on the shores of Denmark, Finland, Lativa, Germany and elsewhere, especially from the Baltic sea. It is sometimes found in pieces the size of a man's head. Pliny spoke of a piece weighing 13 lbs being brought to Rome.' |
It can be honey-colored, yellow, white, brown or black, sometimes reddish and is either translucent or opaque.
The white was preferred for medicine having a better scent and was said to be 'more mature'. It has a pure and sweet scent when rubbed or burnt. It has long been known to contain inclusions such as insects, small vertebrates, leaves, lizards etc. |