Labdanum Absolute, Clear - 10%


Details

  • Botanical Name: Cistus ladaniferus (synonym of Cistus ladanifer L.)
  • Origin: Spain
  • Process: Solvent Extracted Absolute diluted to 10% in Organic Sunflower Oil
  • Plant Part: Oleoresin
  • Cultivation: Wild Grown
  • Use: Natural Perfumery / Incense. 
  • Note: Base Note, Outstanding Fixative
  • Aroma Families: Balsamic, Animalic
  • Aroma: Powerful, deep, rich, sweet balsamic aroma with a faint herbaceous nuance and a persistent ambergris-like undertone; extremely tenacious.
  • Contraindications: None known.



Product Name SKU Price Qty
  1. Labdanum Absolute, Clear - 10% Sample (1 ml) 491-3
    $2.00
  2. Labdanum Absolute, Clear - 10% 30 ml (1 oz) 491-030
    $8.25
  3. Labdanum Absolute, Clear - 10% 2 oz 491-9
    $11.25
  4. Labdanum Absolute, Clear - 10% 4 oz 491-10
    $15.50
  5. Labdanum Absolute, Clear - 10% 8 oz 491-11
    $23.50
  6. Labdanum Absolute, Clear - 10% 16 oz 491-12
    $39.00
  7. Labdanum Absolute, Clear - 10% 1 kg 491-25
    $85.75
  8. For larger sizes or quantities please contact us for pricing and availability.         

Overview

Labdanum Absolute, Clear - 10%

Labdanum Absolute, Clear – 10% is extremely tenacious and has a powerful, deep, rich, sweet balsamic aroma with a faint herbaceous nuance and a persistent ambergris-like undertone. It is used extensively in perfumery for its excellent fixative value and to impart a rich, suave sweetness and naturalness. Perfumer Alec Lawless opined that "If you pick only one balsamic fixative, this has got to be it."1 It appears "among the main constituents of 33% of all modern quality perfumes and 20% of all quality fragrances for men"2 and is an essential component in chypre blends.3

Labdanum oleoresin is an exudation of Cistus ladanifer, a beautiful flowering shrub native to the Mediterranean region. Labdanum Absolute is obtained by solvent extraction of the resinous leaves and twigs – a world away from steam distilled Cistus essential oil. The increasing influence of changing climate conditions, such as chilly early spring weather coupled with soaring high summer temperatures, contribute to lower yields, reduced chemical complexity and rising costs. Thankfully, both Labdanum and Cistus extractions result in intense, powerful aromas that are typically used in very low percentages.

One historically interesting revelation about Cistus is that of ancient folks combing the sticky Labdanum resin from the beards and thighs of browsing goats!4 Later, those 'combs' – more like small rakes – were made of leather, which were then scraped of the resin for later distillation. One wonders if the ‘leather notes’ in historical descriptions of the Cistus/Labdanum aroma is a relic of that early practice.

This product is diluted for ease of use and contains 10% Labdanum Absolute in 90% Organic Sunflower Oil. For the pure and undiluted version of this oil, see the high-quality Labdanum Absolute Clear that we offer.

PLEASE NOTE: Labdanum Absolute is intended for use in perfumery only. If you are interested in using Labdanum for aromatherapy applications, please see the high-quality Cistus essential oils that we offer. 

For information regarding the use of Labdanum Absolute in natural perfumery, please see:


Aromatic Profile: Powerful, deep, rich, sweet balsamic aroma with a faint herbaceous nuance and a persistent ambergris-like undertone; extremely tenacious.


Appearance:  Light to medium reddish brown, transparent, slightly viscous mobile liquid.


Use: Natural Perfumery, Incense.


Blending Suggestions: This product can be safely applied as a natural perfume as is. It is already diluted for easy use and contains 10% Labdanum Absolute – Clear in 90% Organic Sunflower Oil. Although absolutes are not recommended for therapeutic use, they may be safely incorporated in extremely low percentages (less than 1%) for aromatic effects, specifically if incorporating into an all-over body oil or massage oil. Please note: a little goes a long way.


Blends Well With: Bergamot and other Citrus oils, Boronia, Carrot Seed, Cedarwood (Atlas), Chamomile (Roman), Cinnamon and other spice oils, Clary Sage, Cypress, Elemi, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Juniper Berry, Lavandin, Lavender, Lemon, Liquidambar (Styrax), Mimosa, Myrrh, Oakmoss, Opopanax, Orange (Sweet), Palmarosa, Patchouli, Pine, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Vetiver, Yuzu. Labdanum is "often called amber by perfumers because it resembles ambergris; [it is an] essential component in chypre blends [and] blends well with almost anything."5


Safety Considerations: None known.6 Dilute product further per Blending Suggestions above if using in a leave-on product to be applied over large portions of the body. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.


1 Lawless, Alec. Artisan Perfumery or Being Led by the Nose, 2009, p. 70.

2 Groom, Nigel. The New Perfume Handbook, 2nd ed., 1997, p. 178.

3 Lawless, Alec. Artisan Perfumery or Being Led by the Nose, 2009, p. 70.

5 Lawless, Alec. Artisan Perfumery or Being Led by the Nose, 2009, p. 70.

6 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 319.


The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made by Eden Botanicals as to the medicinal value of any products from Eden Botanicals. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.

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Customer Reviews for Labdanum Absolute, Clear - 10%

A more elaborate review Review by
Rating
4
Just wanted to elaborate more from my previous review. As I previously stated, my first impression of labdanum was a hot soldering iron, but the more I smell it, the more I pick up the complexity that I have heard so much about. I get smokey incense, saliva (just as if you licked your hand real good and sniffed it) or ear wax, animalic tones, and a mild plum-like sweetness. This note is so versatile that so much can be made from it. No wonder it makes the Amber accord so popular!
(Posted on 2/12/2015)
Interesting note Review by
Rating
4
I have wanted to get my first smell of pure labdanum for a good while now. I just received my sample today and my first impression was a hot soldering iron. It has that nice little animalic quality about it and you can definitely tell labdanum is used to render an amber accord, but my overall impression of this note is definitely a hot soldering iron. Very unique and interesting.
(Posted on 2/9/2015)
A good one Review by
Rating
5
Very pleasing,. My bottle months ago had this lovely animalic quality, like horses. Nothing dirty or rancid just a pure energy that brought out a carnival vibe in me, very enjoyable. Totally worth the money if you wanna smell great. Alone it's nice, or even in a blend. Rich scent for being diluted, get it while its here!!
(Posted on 12/20/2014)
Rich & Spicy aroma. Similar in depth & range to amber. Review by
Rating
5
This lovely eo has an almost rich, spicy "middle note". It has such a full aroma it's almost a "perfume blend" in itself. Wonderful by itself, or in a blend with other eo's. Definitely has a depth similar to amber. Amazing how strong it is in a 10% dilution.
(Posted on 2/14/2013)