Labdanum, also called laudanum or ladan, is a sticky brown resin obtained from the shrubs western Mediterranean and eastern Mediterranean, species of rock rose. It has a long history of use in herbal medicine and as a perfume ingredient.
In ancient times, labdanum was collected by combing the beards and thighs of goats and sheep that had grazed on the cistus shrubs. Wooden instruments used were referred to in 19th-century.
A "labdanum-gatherer" was a kind of rake to which a double row of leathern thongs were fixed instead of teeth. These were used to sweep the shrubs and collect the resin which was later extracted. It was collected by the shepherds and sold to coastal traders. Many of the false beards worn by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt were made of goats' hair which was held together by labdanum. The resin was also used to treat colds, coughs, menstrual problems and rheumatism.
Labdanum is a small sticky shrub up to 3 mt. high with lance shaped leaves that are white and furry on the underside, and fragrant white flowers. Labdanum gum, a dark brown solid mass, is a natural oleo resin obtained by boiling the plant material in water. Labdanum is extracted by solvent extraction from the crude gum, the absolute, or from the leaves and twigs of the plant directly. Labdanum is a sticky brown resin obtained from the shrubs Cistus ladanifer species of rock rose. It has a long history of use in herbal medicine and as a perfume ingredient.
Labdanum Absolute is a dark amber-green liquid having rich, complex and tenacious aroma. It is used to cure diarrhea, dysentery and other related problems. This absolute is widely used in beauty products and also relieves menstrual cramps. It is extracted from the flowers of Labdanum by solvent extraction method. Labdanum is botanically known by the name of Cistus ladanifer us. It is also known by the name of laudanum, ladan or Gum Rock rose (Cistus ladanifer) which is a sticky brown resin obtained from the shrubs of eastern Mediterranean and Cistus ladanifer (western Mediterranean) species of rock rose.
Benefits &Uses: The gum of Labdanum absolute, ictus ladanifer, or essential oil was formerly used for treatment of catarrh, diarrhea and dysentery and to promote menstruation; externally it was used in plasters. It is also said to be useful for scrofulous skin conditions, ulcers and tumors, including cancers.
Labdanum absolute Oil is anti-microbial, antiseptic, astringent, balsamic, emmenagogue and expectorant. It is said to act as a fixative in perfumes and is widely used in the perfumery industry. It is also considered useful in skincare preparations especially for mature skin and wrinkles. Labdanum can be used to treat colds, coughs, and rheumatism.
Labdanum is produced today mainly for the perfume industry. An absolute is also obtained by solvent extraction. Absolute oil is produced by steam distillation. The absolute is dark amber-green and very thick at room temperature. The fragrance is 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 from use in many countries because its precursor originates from the sperm whale, which is an endangered species: although the best-quality ambergris is found free-floating or washed up onshore and thus raises no ethical objections, a lower-quality version can also be recovered from some fraction of freshly slaughtered whales, and so may encourage poaching of sperm whales. Labdanum is the main ingredient used when making the scent of amber in perfumery. Labdanum's odor is variously described as amber, animalism, sweet, woody, ambergris, dry musk, or leathery.
It is also considered useful in skincare preparations especially for mature skin and wrinkles. Labdanum can be used to treat colds, coughs, and rheumatism. When combined with Frankincense, it is excellent for meditation.