Labdanum

Description:

Labdanum is the name of the resin-like substance exuded from the plant. It is a thick, very sticky, black gum. Not easy to work with! Labdanum is used as an ingredient in incense, or as base in incense pastilles. Also as a fixative in perfumes. Labdanum is quite expensive, and also has a very strong scent, so go easy on it!

In the area around the village Sises Rethimno, on the island of Crete, Labdanum is produced and harvested in the old, traditional way. For this a special tool is used, the ladanesterion:

The harvest takes place on a hot, sunny day. The Labdanum bushes are repeatedly struck with the tool, causing the bushes to "bleed" out the labdanum. After a few hours in the sun, the labdanum can be peeled off the ladanesterion. For more information on this, see the website http://www.labdanum-creta.blogspot.com/ . The website is run by Dimitris Niktaris, who also kindly sent me the photo of Cistus creticus.

This traditional way of harvesting the labdanum results in a superior quality product; I have compared this to labdanum from Spain, and yes, there is definitely a quality difference. So if you want to use Labdanum, get the good stuff from Sises!

The essential oil of Labdanum is extracted from either the black gum or from leaves and flowers. It can be used in aromatherapy to bring forth memories from past events and stir up the unconscious. The incense works in a similar manner; there is an "antique" feeling about it, from one's own past and the collective unconscious.

Lee's correspondances are logic; Venus for the sweetness, Sun for the warmth, and at the same time a touch of Saturn. The plant exudes substances from the roots that delay germination and inhibit root growth of other plants (allelopathy). As Labdanum contains the same alcohol (ambrein) found in ambergris, you can substitute labdanum for ambergris - a good idea, as real ambergris is almost impossible to obtain.

Medicinally uses of Labdanum: Expectorant, against diarrhea and dysentery. Emmenogogue. Some sources claim it's also an antiviral agent.

The scent mixes well with:
Vetiver, patchouli, frankincense, spikenard, clary sage, juniper, sandalwood, vanilla, oakmoss, pine, calmus, opopanax, lavendel, bergamot, cypress, camomile. Pretty much everything!


Note: Labdanum has no connection to laudanum. The latter is an alcohol extract of Opium Poppy. See Opium Poppy