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.

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.
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