Musk is a chemical from the musk gland of the male Musk Deer. The chemical is used to make medicine. Bhavaprakasa describes 3 varieties of Musk, namely, Kamrupa, Nepala and Kashmira musk. Kamrupa musk is said to be of black colour and superior to the others. It is probably China or Tibet musk brought via Kamrup. Nepala musk is described as of bluish colour and intermediate quality. Kashmira musk is of inferior quality.
Benefits of Musk
Musk is regarded as stimulant and aphrodisiac and is used in low fevers, chronic cough, general debility and impotence.
Dose of Musk in Medicine
In low fevers with prostration, 2 grains of musk with 2 of Makaradhwaja are given every 3 hours with the addition of honey.
Svalpa Kasturi Bhairava: Take cinnabar, aconite, borax, nutmeg, mace, long pepper, black pepper and musk, equal parts and make into 4 grain pills. These are given in remittent fever of low type.
Mriganavyadyavaleha: Take musk, cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon and dates, equal parts and make into a linctus with honey and clarified butter. This is given in hoarseness and loss of speech.
Vasantatilaka Rasa: Take prepared gold one part, talc and tin 2 parts each,iron 3 parts, the preparation of mercury called Rasasindura and calcined pearls and coral 4 parts each; mix them together, soak for 7 days in the juice of sugarcane, fruits Tribulus terrestris (gokshura) and other strengthening vegetables. Enclose the mass in a covered crucible and roast it in a sand-bath for 3 hours. Lastly, add to it 4 parts of camphor and 4 of musk and make into 4 grain pills. These are given as an alterative tonic in a variety of diseases, but more especially in chronic affections of the lungs supposed to be caused by deranged phlegm.
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