Labdanum | Λάβδανο
Labdanum is a sticky resin extracted from the Cistus creticus shrub, a type of rockrose.
This resin has been used for centuries in herbal medicine and is still utilized today in the creation of certain perfumes and vermouths.
Labdanum was traditionally harvested by shepherds in ancient times. They would use specialized tools, such as the ergastiri, to gather the resin from cistus shrubs. The resin was highly valued and used in various ways, including as a key ingredient in incense and as a treatment for various ailments like colds, menstrual issues, and rheumatism.
Labdanum is produced today mainly for the perfume industry.
The odour is very rich, complex and tenacious.
Labdanum is the main ingredient used when making the scent of amber in perfumery.
Labdanum’s odour is variously described as amber, sweet, woody, powdery, fruity, animalic, ambergris, dry musk or leathery.
Cretan Heritage & Origin
Cultivated, harvested, and prepared directly in Sises, Rethymno. Rooted in centuries of Greek culinary and botanical tradition.
100% Pure & Natural
Free from additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. Pure Mediterranean quality grown under the Cretan sun.
Handcrafted Quality
Hand-harvested herbs and stone-baked rusks crafted with care in our family cottage workshop.
Overview
Gathered from wild Cistus Creticus shrubs along the sun-baked hillsides of Sises, Crete, Labdanum (Λάβδανο) is one of the Mediterranean's most ancient botanical treasures. Harvested using traditional methods, this sticky, highly aromatic resin brings a rich amber fragrance directly from our cottage workshop.
Aromatic Profile
Warm, deep, and amber-sweet with complex balsamic, resinous, and earthy herbal undertones that linger beautifully.
Uses & Applications
- Perfumery & Natural Incense: Highly prized as a natural fragrance fixative in artisan perfumery and burned over charcoal as a soothing incense.
- Herbal & Botanical Remedies: Historically incorporated into traditional Mediterranean balms and ointments for its soothing natural properties.
- Ancient Craftsmanship: Harvested in Crete for thousands of years, preserving a rare island heritage.
Product Highlights
- Origin: Sises, Rethymno, Crete, Greece
- Ingredients: 100% Pure Cretan Labdanum Resin (Λάβδανο / Cistus Creticus)
- Packaging: Sealed carefully to preserve its natural resinous consistency and potent aroma
- Quality: 100% natural, wild-harvested, unrefined, and free from synthetic additives
