Cistus Essential oil Spain

Cistus is a two-meter-high shrub that grows abundantly in the wild throughout the Mediterranean. Spain is the largest producer of the plant’s essential oil. The specific cistus used for rich amber notes is Cistus labdaniferus L. var. maculatus Dunal. This cistus species is easily identifiable by its large white flowers with deep purple spots at the base of each of the five petals. Our cistus fields are in Almaden de la Plata near Seville, Spain. The entire shrub secretes a powerful gum resin that protects it from moisture loss during the long summer months. The most fragrant young branches are harvested by sickle in the summer (June-August). They are grouped in bundles weighing 25 to 30 kilograms before being transported to our production unit in the midst of the cistus fields. The plants themselves are left in the ground to provide new growth following year. Steam distillation of the young twigs produces the tradition quality essential oil of Spanish cistus. The distillation yield is very low, only around 0.1% of the fresh plant.

Used in the Mediterranean countries for its fragrant and therapeutic properties since ancient times, cistus is still an essential plant in perfumery, having great olfactory richness. Its amber notes are expressed differently, depending on the processing methods used: the Tradition or complete essential oil, cistus absolute, labdanum absolute and its resinoid, or labdasur, a house specialty oil. Cistus Tradition essential oil is very intense, with strong terpene notes.

Advised uses : Aromatherapy, Perfumery, Cosmetic