Labdanum Oil is sourced from Labdanum, which is a sticky brown resin that is obtained from shrubs Cistus ladanifer species of rockrose. Having a long history of use in herbal medicine and as perfume ingredient, the oil is steam distilled from the fragrant white flower part of the plants. Cistus Ladanifer essential oil is one of the most interesting and valuable products that can be obtained from the Cistus Ladanifer plant. There are several methods to obtain this oil, however, all of the producers in Portugal that we know get their Cistus Ladanifer essential oil by using steam distillation. This distinction is important as Cistus Ladanifer resins obtained through other methods can also be steam distilled to produce oils.

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. Cistus Absolute, also frequently referred to as Labdanum Absolute, is also commercially available. It's much thicker in consistency. The solvent extraction process used to create the absolute is able to capture more of the heavier aromatic molecules than can be captured during steam distillation. To me, the aroma of the absolute is sweeter, deeper and much more balsamic in aroma. Everyone is different in how essential oils impact them emotionally. Your experience with Cistus Absolute may differ. The Egyptians, after importing Cistus from Crete, used the resin as a perfume & incense. It is said that in Christ’s time, an incense was made with Myrrh, Frankincense & “Onycha”, later identified as gum labdanum, which is extracted from the leaves of Cistus. It has been used since the Middle Ages in Europe to treat wounds & ulcers of the skin. The gum was used for diarrhea, dysentery, & catarrh. Cistus is believed to help alleviate shock from traumatic events, and soothes the heart after a crisis, especially when someone is feeling cold, empty & numb. It’s beneficial for meditation, as it has centering qualities that help one to visualize, and to bring those vision to light. Woodward suggests using Cistus with those who experience a disconnection from their spiritual self & being in fear. Helps to connect to the spirit realms with ease.