Labdanum is a sticky brown resin obtained from the shrub Cistus ladanifer, more commonly known as the rock rose. It has a long history of use in herbal medicine and as a perfume ingredient.

Cistus ladanifer

The rock rose is a native of the Mediterranean countries and grows wild from Southern France to Portugal and in north-west Africa. The plant grows in a shrub-like mound from 3 to 6 feet high and wide. The leaves are lanceolate to about 4 inches long, dark green above and silvery underneath. The flowers are 3/4 to 1 inch across composed of 5 papery white petals with a red to maroon dot at the base surrounding yellow stamens and pistils. The whole plant is covered with the sticky exudate of fragrant resin.

History

In ancient times, the resin was scraped from the fur of goats and sheep that had grazed on the cistus shrubs. It was collected by the shepherds and sold to coastal traders. The false beards worn by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt were actually the labdanum soaked hair of these goats. Later long poles with leather or cloth strips were used to sweep the shrubs and collect the resin which was later estracted. It was used to treat colds, coughs, menstrual problems and rheumatism.

Modern Uses

Labdanum is produced today mainly for the perfume industry. The raw resin is usually extracted by boiling the leaves and twigs. An absolute is also obtained by solvent extraction. An essential oil is produced by steam distillation. The raw gum is a dark brown, fragrant mass containing up to 20% or more of water. It is plastic but not pourable. It will become brittle with age. The absolute is dark amber-green and very thick at room temperature. The fragrance more refined than the raw resin. The odor is very rich, complex and tenacious. Labdanum is much valued in perfumery because of its resemblance to ambergris, which has been banned fom use in many countries because it is obtained from the sperm whale, which is considered an endangered species. The odor is variosly described as sweet, woody, ambergris, dry musk, or that of leather.