Cistus - Organic EO

Cistus ladaniferus (synonym of Cistus ladanifer L.)

(2)

Our organic Cistus, also known as Rock Rose, is a true essential oil distilled directly from the leaves rather than from the crude Labdanum gum. This powerful fixative has a deep, warm, sweet balsamic, almost

Size

Selected size SKU:222-016 - Cistus - Organic 15 ml (1/2 oz) (w/ orifice reducer)

1 ml (1/30 oz)
$6.00
2 ml (1/15 oz)
$10.00
with orifice reducer
5 ml (1/6 oz)
$21.00
with orifice reducer
15 ml (1/2 oz)
$51.00
with orifice reducer
30 ml (1 oz)
$92.00
59.14 ml (2 oz)
$168.00
118.29 ml (4 oz)
$308.00
236.58 ml (8 oz)
$568.00
473.17 ml (16 oz)
$1,054.00
$6.00
Details
Solubility & Blending Suggestions
Suggested Resources
Safety Considerations
Certificates of Analysis (COA)
Documentation

Product Overview

Our organic Cistus, also known as Rock Rose, is a true essential oil distilled directly from the leaves rather than from the crude Labdanum gum. This powerful fixative has a deep, warm, sweet balsamic, almost boozy/diffusive aroma with leather and animalic/musky nuances reminiscent of true Labdanum; as with Labdanum, Cistus is also considered a substitute for Ambergris (from sperm whales) and, in combination with Ambrette, a substitute for true Musk (from musk deer).[1]

The exceptionally large Cistaceae family is a rather wild one – wildly successful at colonizing vast acres of eroded soils after fires and heavy grazing, that is. Rock Roses are a biologically important species that create a ripe environment for the underground symbiotic web of mycorrhizae so essential to soil health. In Corsica, tiny birds have been observed lining their nests with a symphony of aromatic herbs, including Cistus. What a great idea from avian aromatherapists!

Pénoël and Franchomme suggest that the complex sesquiterpenes in Cistus are effective for skincare, verifying hundreds of years of traditional use. In a more poetic vein, Fischer-Rizzi opines that Cistus essential oil ". . . conveys a deep warmth that helps melt an icy feeling.”[2] But surely the most historically interesting revelation about Cistus is that of ancient folks combing the sticky Labdanum resin from the beards and thighs of browsing goats! [3] Later, those 'combs' – more like small rakes – were made of leather, which were then scraped of the resin for distillation. One wonders if the 'leather notes' in historical descriptions of the Cistus/Labdanum aroma is a relic of that early practice.

For a delightfully informative read, please see our blog article regarding our Italian team's Trip to Spain, land of Cistus!

1 Rose, Jeanne. 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols, 1999, p. 97.

2 Fischer-Rizzi, Suzanne. Complete Aromatherapy Handbook , 1990, p. 151.

3 Rhind, William. A History of the Vegetable Kingdom, 1868, p. 560.

Blends Well With

5.0

2 Reviews

100.0%
2
0.0%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
0

Customer Reviews

Musky

Rating

Nothing quite like I have smelled but I like it nevertheless. Looking forward to see what compliments it.

Review by Lisa 4/7/2018

Phenomenal

Rating

One of my favorite oils on earth....Its like spicy woodsy and Amber all in one....Can easily be worn by itself as a great fragrance, especially for men....I use it in Beard oil or Masculine Amber accords....How does a single oil get so good?!.....Almost reminds me of Oud somehow....

Review by Aroma Alchemist 3/31/2018

You need to be logged in to submit a review
logo

2017-03-29

Trip to Spain

Our week long journey began in Barcelona and took us from the historic region of Catalonia to Valencia, Murcia, Castilla/La Mancha, Andalucía, Estremadura and finally back to the capital city, Madrid -- a drive of nearly 2000 km along the Iberian Peninsula.

logo

2014-11-25

Holiday Gift Ideas

Are you ready to be creative this holiday season? The following simple recipe ideas might help get you in the spirit.

logo

2024-12-11

Extraordinary Cistus – The Plant at the Heart of Amber

The beautiful flowering shrub Cistus, or Rock Rose, is native to the Mediterranean where it thrives in the wild along hot, dry, sunny slopes. Resilient and responsive, the plant secretes from its leaves a remarkable, sticky, aromatic gum to help protect from the intense heat.