| Latin Name: | Cistus ladaniferum, Cistus creticus |
| English Name: | Labdanum Cistus |
| French Name: | Ciste ladanifère |
| Family: | Cistaceae |
| Origin: | Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Sicily, Algeria |
History and Origin
Labdanum cistus is a shrub that grows in acid soils. Its seeds break dormancy after a fire. Its white flowers with a dark spot only last a few hours.
Cistus aroma was known to the Egyptians and the Greeks called it Ladanas or Ladanon (the gum from which essential oil is extracted). It is one of the sacred aromas as other substance like incense (frankicense), cedar, myrrh and benzoin. Cistus was used in holy anointing by the kings of Israel, giving them determination and will.