Cistus is a hardy Mediterranean shrub found in Southern Europe and North Africa, thriving in dry, rocky soils and regions with plenty of sunlight. Known for its white to pink flowers, the plant produces a resin from its leaves and twigs, which is carefully harvested and processed through steam distillation to produce an essential oil with a rich, balsamic, and subtly floral scent. The resin, labdanum, has been used for incense and medicinal purposes since ancient times, and the oil is still highly valued in perfumery and cosmetics. Cistus is drought-tolerant and thrives in Mediterranean climates, with its sticky resin harvested by gently scraping the plant’s stems. Historically, labdanum was a key ingredient in ancient Egyptian perfumes, making it a long-standing and culturally significant aromatic.
