Long Xianxiang is a rare substance, which is called "floating gold". This is a solid waxy combustible substance, silver gray or black, which is famous for its unique sweet earth flavor.
The exact origin of Long Xianxiang remains a mystery to scientists. According to public information, Long Xianxiang is essentially a dry product of intestinal secretions of sperm whales in physeteridae. Whales eat a lot of squid and cuttlefish, and most of them can't be digested and they spit it out. However, some still exist. They have been combined in the intestines of whales for many years, forming the Long Xianxiang.
Some sperm whales will spit it out, some will be excreted from the intestines, and only a few sperm whales will leave it in their bodies. Sometimes, the Long Xianxiang is too big, which causes the whale's intestines to rupture and die.
At first, Long Xianxiang was dark and soft, and it smelled bad. After years of sunshine, air and seawater scouring, it becomes hard and gradually turns brown or gray. Legend has it that some people witnessed the activities of whales in the place where Long Xianxiang was born, and it is speculated that it was caused by whale saliva, so it was named "Dragon Saliva".
Because it can only form naturally. And the probability of formation is extremely small. So it is very rare.
Long Xianxiang is one of the four major perfumes, which was mainly used as fixative in history.
Long Xianxiang, as one of the four famous incense in the history of China, has always been the special incense for ancient emperors. In history, Song Huizong was the first emperor to use it, and it has always been used by emperors. Therefore, when the ancients mentioned Long Xianxiang, they would associate it with the emperor.
In novels or costume dramas, Long Xianxiang represents the image of the emperor. There is such a passage in the Record of Hua Meng that Zhao recognized their identity through the official Long Xianxiang and their behavior.
Long Xianxiang, a western perfume factory, is mainly used for high-grade perfume. As a fixative, it will not affect the original fragrance, but also enhance the fragrance of other spices.
In addition, Middle Easterners also buy Long Xianxiang at a high price, make it into traditional ointment and burn it with agarwood, while Israelis will collect precious Long Xianxiang and bring it back to the holy land for worship, because Long Xianxiang is the spice used in the wedding of King Solomon in ancient times, and it is as sacred as frankincense.
But more Long Xianxiang is also used in expensive perfume, which is recognized as the best fixative, just like musk and civet. After joining Long Xianxiang, the durability of perfume is higher, and the change of front, middle and back tone is more obvious.
Modern analytical chemistry points out that Long Xianxiang is composed of derived polyterpenes, similar to rubber. Many ingredients have fresh fragrance (many flowers and resins are formed because they contain terpenoids).
At present, all the ingredients in Long Xianxiang are synthetic. But this mixture can't completely replace natural Long Xianxiang. Natural Long Xianxiang is very important for making high-grade perfume. Androsterone, the main component of Long Xianxiang, is soluble in ethanol. Will it form on the skin after adding perfume? A film, this film can make the perfume smell not spread quickly, so as to achieve the purpose of lasting fragrance.
In addition, Long Xianxiang is a valuable Chinese medicine, which has the effects of resolving phlegm and resolving hard mass, benefiting qi and promoting blood circulation. Compendium of Materia Medica also records that Long Xianxiang can "promote blood circulation, benefit essence, help Yang Dao and promote blood circulation".
According to New York Post, the British Museum of Natural History said that Long Xianxiang was used as an aphrodisiac in early Arab culture to treat many diseases, including brain, heart and sensory diseases.
Of course, we don't know how effective it is. After all, they are all ancient prescriptions.
Finally, let's talk about a hot knowledge: In order to protect whales, many countries have banned Long Xianxiang's trade.
According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, it is illegal to kill sperm whales almost anywhere on earth, and sperm whales have been listed as endangered mammals.