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Cistus Leaf Essential Oil
Cistus also known as the Gum Rockrose (Cistus ladanifer) is a species of flowering plant in the family Cistaceae. It is a native of the western Mediterranean region, growing wild from southern France to Portugal and in north-west Africa. The whole plant is covered with the sticky exudate of fragrant resin. Cistus essential oil is mostly produced in Spain.
From Labdanum Gum, a variety of other Labdanum products are made. The most important for use in natural perfumery is Labdanum Absolute which is refined from Labdanum Gum in a 2 step process. First a concrete is made using a solvent such as hexane or heptane. Next the Labdanam Absolute is extracted from the concrete using alcohol. Labdanum Absolutes can vary dramatically depending on how they are extracted and by which solvents are used during the refinement process. The best Labdanum Absolutes are sometimes called Ambreine, they are lighter in color, more pourable, more soluble in fixed oils, and that they blend with other essential oils better than more common and lower quality Labdanum Absolutes.
There are also 2 essential oils produced primarily for use in aromatherapy, and perfumery, generally named 'Cistus", firstly steam distilled from the crude gum, and the second by steam distillation of the dried and fresh leaves and twigs. This latter oil produces a terpenelike odour and is of little value.
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| Botanical Name: | Cistus ladanifer L. |
| Family: | Cistaceae |
| Synonyms: | Labdanum, gum cistus, ciste, cyste, ambreine, labdanum gum, european rock rose. |
| See Also: | Ambreine Absolute
Cistus Essential Oil (From Leaves and Twigs)
Labdanum Absolute
Labdanum Resin |
| Parts Used: | Leaves and twigs |
| Extraction Method: | Steam distilled |
| Appearance: | Dark yellow viscous liquid |
| Aroma Description: | Warm, sweet, musky, herbaceous. |
| Perfume note: | Base |
| Consistancy: | Viscous |
| Strength of Initial Aroma: | |
| Blends well with: | Bergamot, calamus, clary sage, cypress, juniperberry, lavender, lavandin, oakmoss, olibanum, opopanax, patchouli, pine, moroccan chamomile, sandalwood, vetiver. |
| Historical Uses: | The gum was formerly for catarrh, diatthea, 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. |
| Modern Uses: | Antimicrobial, antiseptic, antitussive, astringent, balsamic, emmenagogue, expectorant, tonic. |
| Cautions: | Generally non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing. Avoid during pregnancy. |
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