With the popularity of the peak palace intrigue drama “Empresses in the Palace,” it’s not just the empresses who have gained attention but also musk. There’s even a humorous saying that “when musk goes to war, not a blade of grass will grow.” Musk is believed to have blood-activating and stasis-removing properties. Prolonged exposure to musk, especially for women or pregnant women, is said to be detrimental to pregnancy and may even lead to miscarriage. But what about musk thymol? How is it related to musk, and is it harmful to pregnant women?
1. Are Musk Thymol and Musk the Same?
No, they are different. Although both are fragrances, musk thymol comes from plants, while musk comes from animals.
- Musk Thymol Source: Musk thymol is the main component of thyme oil and is also known as thyme phenol, thyme camphor, thymol, or 5-methyl-2-isopropylphenol. It is named “musk thymol” due to its association with thyme, which is commonly known as “musk thyme.”
- Musk Source: Musk is derived from musk deer and other animals in the musk family, such as muskox or original musk. It is obtained from the dry secretions found between the navel and genitals of mature male animals. Musk is often in granular or block form and is also known as “Dāngménzi” or “navel musk.” Its primary component is muscone.
2. Do Musk Thymol and Musk Have the Same Effects?
No, their effects are different.
- Musk Thymol Effects: Musk thymol has strong antibacterial properties with low toxicity. It is commonly used in medical applications for disinfection and sterilization of the oral cavity and throat. It also has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipruritic effects. In daily life, you may come across toothpaste and mouthwash made with musk thymol.
- Musk Effects: Musk can activate blood circulation and remove stasis. Its main component, muscone, significantly increases uterine contraction frequency and strength. It has anti-implantation and anti-early pregnancy effects. These effects become more prominent as pregnancy progresses. In addition, musk has functions such as promoting orifice opening, strengthening the heart, excitement, pain relief, and reducing swelling.
3. Are Musk Thymol and Musk Used the Same Way in Perfume Blending?
No, their use in perfume blending is different.
- Use of Musk Thymol in Perfume Blending: Adding musk thymol to traditional Chinese incense perfume concentrates can create a “heavy” and “powerful” fragrance. Incense perfume concentrates have relatively low color requirements, which helps compensate for the vulnerability of musk thymol to oxidation and discoloration.
- Use of Musk in Perfume Blending: Musk is typically used as a fixative in perfumes, helping to prolong and stabilize the fragrance. It enhances and improves the overall aroma of the perfume. However, natural musk is becoming increasingly rare, and many countries have begun to ban its use. Most perfumes that claim to contain musk now use synthetic musk instead.
4. Is thymol harmful to pregnant women? Will it cause infertility?
It is not harmful and will not cause infertility.
Thymol does not have ingredients and functions that can affect the female uterus, such as promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, so there is no need to worry about side effects such as causing miscarriage or infertility in pregnant women like musk.
