GENERAL INFORMATION: Often confused with Rock Rose, the flower essence (Helianthemum canadense), which is another plant and oil. There is also cistus (C. ladanifer) coming from the same plant, but it is processed differently than labdanum. Cistus is a rare or precious oil distilled from the flowers and leaves, while labdanum is made from the crude gum of the plant. The crude gum is prepared by boiling the dried leaves and twigs in water. The gum is then skimmed off the surface of the water and dried. An essential oil can be distilled from this crude gum and is the one most prized for its ambergris qualities (and is often used as synthetic ambergris). A resinoid is produced when the gum is treated with alcohol and filtered. There is also a concrete and absolute made from the twigs and leaves, which is dissolved in a solvent (such as hexane), then vacuum extracted and thinned with alcohol. This is used as a perfume fixative. You will also find a labdanum, sometimes referred to as cistus, which is steam distilled from the leaves and twigs. It has little value, however and smells of pine. There is much confusion over the labeling of this oil, with cistus and labdanum frequently interchanged. Here, processing makes a world of difference.