Labdanum
Cistus ladaniferus

Labdanum is the amber note in perfumery, and it comes from a Mediterranean rockrose. Traditionally the resin was combed from the coats of goats that had grazed among the bushes. It smells warm, sweet and leathery, closest of any natural material to ambergris. Over 200 compounds have been identified in it, led by labdane diterpenes and viridiflorol. Testing of the essential oil from the same plant found it holds back bacteria and fungi.[1]
- Also Known As
- Rock Rose, Cistus
- Family
- Resinous
- Perfumery Note
- Base
- Intensity
- Strong
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Resin
- Origins
- Spain, France, Morocco
- Effect
- Grounding & Centering
- Aroma
- Resinous, Amber-like, Sweet
- Applications
- Diffusing & Inhalation, Perfumery & Fragrance Making
- Price
- $$$$The sticky resin must be hand-harvested from the Cistus shrub and processed via solvent extraction for a low yield.