Incense in The Wind: Musk

Friday, 29 May 2015

Musk

The musk mallow

Musk has been a popular perfume ingredient for centuries. Originally it came from the pods (or testicles) of the male musk deer. The deer is now protected, and other substances are used, either natural from plants, or (more commonly these days) synthetic. Indian incense makers once commonly used the crushed seeds of the musk mallow plant, but these days they are more likely to use synthetic musk.

Musk deer pods

Musk has a a deep, earthy, dark and sexual scent. It can be a bit heady and overpowering. It is best used in the evening or night, and is particularly suitable for the bedroom.

I like the smell of musk, but - as yet - I've not found a decent incense that conveys the scent. Because the scent is synthetic, perhaps the better quality incense makers don't use it. Also, it doesn't appear to be a popular scent in India, so it's use seems to be mostly confined to those scents that are made for export to the UK.