This incense resin is manufactured by boiling the "Cretan rock rose", Cistus creticus. The plant is endemic to southern Europe and has been used for thousands of years. Traditionally, its resin was gathered by rubbing the stalks and leaves, after which small amounts of resin were harvested in a long and painstaking process! When you try labdanum for yourself, you will see why humans have gone to such great lengths to extract this highly fragrant exudate.
These days, the plant is boiled under pressure, enabling its resin to be collected from the surface of the water. To this day, this product is in high demand for use in perfumes and incense blends. It is nonetheless an incense in its own right. Sometimes, labdanum is sold in liquid resinoid form. This is labdanum in its solid, malleable form. Its thick and intoxicating scent resembles ambergris, giving high notes of sweet summer blossoms atop of base notes of vanilla.
Labdanum is extremely potent, such that one ten gram purchase will last you a good long while.
