GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Labdanum (Rockrose)
Cistus ladaniferus L.
Chemotype: alpha-pinene / oxygenated monoterpene type
- PLANT PART
- labdanum-bearing leaves and twigs
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- base
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 85 / 100
- Note layer
- base
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 20%
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- medium
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
No public source reviewed in this pass identified a furocoumarin-driven phototoxic restriction for the cited labdanum oil / Cistus ladaniferus material.
Contraindications & cautions
- moderateTisserand and Young recommend avoiding oxidized Cistus (labdanum) oil, advising that skin sensitization becomes possible once the oil has been allowed to oxidize; oxidized/thickened stock should be discarded rather than used on skin.
- minorSupplier safety guidance advises against use with children, pregnant or lactating women, elderly persons, and people with chronic diseases, and states the oil should never be applied to mucous membranes or used undiluted.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This record uses a public NHR certificate of analysis for organic labdanum oil from Spain, identified on the sheet as Cistus ladaniferus and marketed as organic labdanum oil. That batch remains alpha-pinene dominant but is darker, denser, and more tenacious than greener cistus leaf oils, with supporting bornyl acetate, trans-pinocarveol, p-cymene, and resin-adjacent sesquiterpene markers. The COA's own GC constituent table lists 22 named peaks that sum to approximately 72.8% of the batch; all peaks with a verifiable CAS registry number have been transcribed here, so the record's closure is capped by the source document itself rather than by incomplete transcription.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| alpha-Pinene | 44.22% | 44.22–44.22% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (alpha pinene 44.22%) |
| Camphene | 4.72% | 4.72–4.72% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (camphene 4.72%) |
| trans-Pinocarveol | 3.69% | 3.69–3.69% | oxygenated monoterpene | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (trans pinocarveol 3.69%) |
| Bornyl acetate | 3.29% | 3.29–3.29% | monoterpene ester | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (bornyl acetate 3.29%) |
| p-Cymene | 2.79% | 2.79–2.79% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (paracymene 2.79%) |
| 2,2,6-Trimethylcyclohexanone | 2.34% | 2.34–2.34% | ketone | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (2,2,6 trimethilcylohexanone 2.34%) |
| Ledene | 2.12% | 2.12–2.12% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (ledene 2.12%) |
| Limonene | 1.73% | 1.73–1.73% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (limonene 1.73%) |
| alpha-p-Dimethylstyrene | 1.6% | 1.6–1.6% | aromatic hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (Alpha p-dimenthystyrene 1.60%) |
| Verbenene | 0.89% | 0.89–0.89% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (verbenene 0.89%) |
| gamma-Terpinene | 1.22% | 1.22–1.22% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (Gamma terpinene 1.22%) |
| Pinocarvone | 0.61% | 0.61–0.61% | oxygenated monoterpene | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (pinacarvone 0.61%) |
| alpha-Copaene | 0.06% | 0.06–0.06% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (Alpha copaene 0.06%) |
| Isopinocamphone | 0.07% | 0.07–0.07% | oxygenated monoterpene | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (isopinocamphone 0.07%) |
| Terpinen-4-ol | 0.08% | 0.08–0.08% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (Terpinene 4 ol 0.08%) |
| Allo-aromadendrene | 0.22% | 0.22–0.22% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (Allo aromandendrene 0.22%) |
| Borneol | 0.67% | 0.67–0.67% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (Borneol 0.67%) |
| Myrtenol | 0.67% | 0.67–0.67% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (myrtenol 0.67%) |
| Ledol | 0.4% | 0.4–0.4% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (Ledol 0.40%) |
| Viridiflorol | 1.14% | 1.14–1.14% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (viridiflorol 1.14%) |
| Cadinene isomers | 0.05% | 0.05–0.05% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbons | View sourceNHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1 https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf (cadinene 0.05%) |
Profile source: NHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil COA batch 231020-1; NHR Organic Cistus Essential Oil specification; Avena Lab Labdanum Oil IFRA certificate · https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Cistus%20CofA%20GC%20231020-1.pdf ; https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20171019125529e_Cistus_Spec.pdf ; https://avenalab.com/images/001SDS/Alergeni/Labdanum_Oil_IFRA_COC.pdf
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in perfumery as an ambergris-like fixative with a warm, amber, leathery facet
- reported to support grounding, meditative relaxation in diffuser blends
- used in massage blends for a warming, comforting sensory experience
- traditionally associated with ancient ceremonial and incense use referenced in historical texts
- used in skin-care formulations for its reputed soothing, balsamic aromatic quality
- reported to support restful mood and easing of occasional stress
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 5 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- CAS could not be verified in this pass from a primary source for 2_2_6_trimethylcyclohexanone, ledene, alpha_p_dimethylstyrene, or the cadinene isomer mixture, so those fields remain null.
- Two minor COA peaks (dehydro-aromadendrane 0.22% and an unspecified cadinene isomer already included at 0.05%) could not both be fully resolved to a single confirmed CAS; dehydro-aromadendrane was omitted rather than assigning an unverified CAS.
- The source COA's own named-constituent total is approximately 72.8%, so closure for this record is capped by the source document rather than by incomplete transcription; no further public numeric GC/MS breakdown for this exact batch was located in this pass.
- Odor intensity 85 is an archive normalization from public qualitative odor language such as woody and tenacious rather than a directly published 0-100 measurement.
- No public source located in this pass gave directly measured volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values.