Cistus
Cistus Essential Oil (Rockrose)
This oil has warm, sweet and dry notes. It's tenacious and distinctive. For perfumery suggestions, please see Arctander below
Product Information
Cistus ladanifer
Grown and distilled in Spain from certified organic plant material
This is sometimes called rockrose
For years I was told this was gathered from the hairy fetlocks of sheep running wild--that over time, grazing out in the foothills, the undergrowth contained so many cistus plants and they glistened in the sun, rubbing off on the little ovines. I would like to see it, but this is perhaps a different oil, also referred to as cistus, which I guess we can call "lazy cistus" as that name is a tad less snide than Arctander's withering "So-called." . According to Arctanders entries, there is "Cistus oil true" and "Cistus oil, so-called." And it would seem the cute story is a time-honored one, and this would be the "so-called" although he never makes mentions sheep fetlocks. I beleive, after reading both entries, ours is closer to the "so called" cistus becuase it's prettier and the description suits it better than the "true" cistus but I suppose one can make an arguement if one wished to.
Sonnet Lii. To The Yellow Cistus
Of flexile petals interwove with green,
Clothest the mountain walls of this calm scene;
We, a love--led poetic company,
Pronounce thee happy; if happiness it be
In every cleft the bright gray rocks between
To plant thy seemly gems, and reign the queen
Of path--side blossoms over wood and lea.
Live, and of those poor fools who idly moan
Thy fragile lifetime's shortness, reck not aught;
Thou diest not, when thy ripe blossoms are strown
On the damp earth, or by the tempest caught;
Thou hast a future life to them unknown,
In the eternity of human thought.
Arctanders description:
Cistus oil is an amber colored, or dark yellow, viscous liquid having a very powerful and tenacious odor: warm and sweet, yet dry and reminscent of ambra in its somewhat animal notes. The oil is used in modern aldehyde, or ambre type perfuems, in Oriental bases, and in numerous fantasy bouquets where it will lend tenacity, warm tonalities, and an intriguingly animal-spicy note. Its blends extrememly well with citrus oil, clary sage and oakmoss; also lavandin, pine needles, opoponax, frankincense, etc. According to Arctander (in 1960) little is known about the chemical constituents of the "so-called" cistus oil, and adulterations are usually of the artistic kind rather than the scientific!
Battaglia says
The actions commonly citied in aromatherapy include use as an anti-microbial (for which there are studies,) antiseptic, astringent, emmenagogue, expectorant, sedative and vulneray.
Safety Warning
As with most essential oils, dilute before using on skin. Perform a patch test before use if essential oil sensitivity is suspected. Do not take essential oils internally. Do not use on children or pets. Seek advice from a trained aromatherapist before using on people with compromised immune systems. Keep away from eyes and mucus membranes.
Enfleurage makes no medical claims relating to any products, essential oils or otherwise, on our website or through social media. We are an essential oil company, not doctors, The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. We present our information in order to educate our customers on traditional and general uses of essential oils; in no way do we diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or condition.
You the customer are responsible for understanding the safe use of any and all of our products, including essential oils, and use them accordingly.