labdanum

thumb|Cistus creticus, the pink rockrose, is one source of labdanum. Labdanum, also called ladanum, ladan, or ladanon, is a sticky brown resin obtained from the shrubs Cistus ladanifer ('gum rockrose', western Mediterranean) and Cistus creticus ('pink rockrose', eastern Mediterranean), species of rock rose. It was historically used in herbal medicine and is still used in the preparation of some perfumes and vermouths.

==History== thumb|"Whip" used to collect labdanum (Tournefort, 1718, Voyage du Levant) In ancient times, labdanum was collected by combing the beards and thighs of goats and sheep that had grazed on the cistus shrubs. Wooden instruments used were referred to in 19th-century Crete as ergastiri; a lambadistrion ("labdanum-gatherer") was a kind of rake to which a double row of leathern thongs was fixed instead of teeth. These were used to sweep the shrubs and collect the resin, which was later extracted. It was collected by the shepherds and sold to coastal traders. The resin was used as an ingredient for incense, and medicinally to treat colds, coughs, menstrual problems and rheumatism.