Labdanum Absolute
Origin: Spain

• Details and product description

  Introduction:

  Cistus ladaniferus L. includes three sub-species:     1) var. albiflorus Dunal: Spain (Malaga, Cadix), France (Esterel), Morocco (North) with white flowers 2) var. beta maculatus Dunal: Spain (Andalusia), France (Esterel) flowers with purple spots at the base           3) var. gamma stenaphyllus (Link.) Grosser Cistus ladaniferus L. var. maculatus Dunal is the only variety used in perfumery.            Its name comes from the Greek kiste which means capsule, which is the shape of its fruit, kiste became cistus for the Romans.   Small open branching shrub from 1 to 2 meters high with a glossy appearance. Depending on the variety, the color of the flowers ranges from pink to purple, sometimes red, and even white. The flowers are very fragrant and grow from April to June. The underside of the green leaves has a whitish color.            The plant produces a gum called “labdanum” or “ladanum.” This gum protects the plant from dehydration.

  History:

  Known since antiquity for medical uses, labdanum was found in Egyptian perfume formulas from the city of Edfu.            It is referred to several times in the Bible (Genesis 37, 25 and 43,11) where it is said to be native to the country of Canaan (Palestine, Judea) and Galaad (Jordan), where caravans exported it to Egypt.    It is reported to have been one of the ingredients in the royal perfume of Ahassuerus, the emperor of Persia, who was captivated by fragrances.          Pliny used the Arab name of storbon and Cypriot ledanon, while Theophrastus and Discorides called it kisthos, which became cistus for the Romans. The name Ledanon comes from ledon, which means mastic, referring to its use as chewing gum, and the English word, rockrose, comes from its resemblance to the wild rose bush. Ancient people used cistus for fumigation and for its “astringent virtue” that helps stop bleeding. They also liked its musk scent: “Pure, cistus should have a wild odor and smell of the desert,” Pliny writes. Labdanum was already used by the Egyptians and Carthaginians, who brushed it from their goats’ “goatees,” and gathered it for perfumery and pharmaceutical uses. It is said that two of these species (Cistus creticus and Cistus monspeliensis) with white and pink flowers that permeate this Corsican shrub with their fragrance, made Napoleon say that, with eyes closed, he recognized his island by its perfume.

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