Ambrette seeds come from a tropical hibiscus. They contain an oil with a fatty-musky, slightly ambery odour. Its most important odoriferous components are the macrocyclic musks 5(Z)-tetradecen-14-olide and 7(Z)-hexadecen-16-olide, also called ambrettolide.

The oil was formerly highly appreciated in perfumery, but has now been largely replaced by synthetic musks.

The seeds have a strong aroma of musk, and have been known as grani moschi.

Relaxing and stimulating powers are attributed to them; and some cases, apparently authentic, have been recorded, in which they seemed to have a decided influence in casting out the poison of snakes.

Possibly a further and more careful investigation of their properties, would show them to be an agreeable & useful article in cases where mild nervous prostration required a diffusible stimulant and relaxant.

At present, they seem to be used for nothing beyond giving flavor to the coffee of the Arabs.

Seeds are used as an inhalation in hoarseness & dryness of throat.