Ambergris

This is one more thing I’m planning to start looking for on my morning beach walks here on Andros. It comes from sperm whales (either pooped out or barfed out) and can sometimes be found washed up on the beach. And most commercially collected ambergris comes from the Bahamas, so why not get in on it? A kid, walking along the beach in the U. K., found a one pound rock that was discovered to be ambergris and was worth $63,000.

Ambergris is stinky when freshly pooped or vomited, with a smelly fish feces odor. As it ages, the odor changes to a scent likened to the fragrance of rubbing alcohol. Ambergris was at one time used as a fixative in perfumes but has long been replaced by synthetics, however in some places it is still used in perfumes and lotions because of its potential as an aphrodisiac. Ancient Egyptians burned ambergris as incense and in medieval Europe people carried a ball of ambergris around to ward off the plague. Historically Ambergris has been used as a food flavoring and a medication for headaches, colds, and even epilepsy.

So if you should see me tossing a living starfish or sand dollar back in the water, collecting a few shells, or sniffing an occasional lump of seaweed or rock, don’t be concerned. I’m just looking for an opportunity to supplement my 401k.