Cistus ladanifer, Labdanum
Rockrose
Ladan, Qissus (Unani)
Ladham (Arabic)
Botanical name:
Cistus creticus, C. ladanifer
Parts used:
Resin exuding spontaneously from the leaves and branches.
Two varieties are found on the market:
1. Labdanum in mass: soft, glutinant masses, blackish-red or blackish (best, but rare)
2. Labdanum in tortis: flattened, twisted cylinders, dry, hard and brittle, blackish-grey in color
Today, the raw resin is extracted by boiling the leafy twigs.
Avicenna said there are three varieties: Black, White and Red.
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent, Bitter, Aromatic
“Labdanum is hot in the last phase of the first degree and dry in the second degree”. (Avicenna)
Uses:
1. Opens the Orifices, Moves Qi, Clears Phlegm:
-suffocative Asthma, Catarrh
-obstruction of the Uterus, Hysteria
-Cough in children, applied in plasters to the chest and upper back
-used in perfumes and fumigations to uplift Spirit, clear the Head and remove obstruction of Qi
2. Warms the Stomach, Moves Qi:
-pain, distention of the Stomach
-Vomiting
3. Moves the Blood:
-helps cleanse the Afterbirth
-fumigation is used for Puerperal diseases (Unani)
4. Externally:
-added to plasters as a local warming stimulant, principally to warm the Stomach or Head
-in plasters for Hernia
-helps retain and strengthen the hair when applied
Dose:
Of the Dried Resin: 250mg–2 grams
Usually used in formula
In Folk Medicine 1–2 teaspoons of the dried leaves has been boiled in a cup of water to form a decoction which can be taken 2–3 times daily.
Corrective:
1. Sandalwood
2. Rose water
Substitute:
1. Indian Spikenard (Unani)
2. Storax
3. Labdanum is an accepted vegetable substitute for Ambergris and Musk in perfumery
Main Combinations:
1.. Asthma, Labdanum with Storax, Aloeswood, Camphor (as in Alipta Moschata of Nicholas)
2. Hysteria, Labdanum with Asafetida, Rue
3. As a fumigant, Labdanum with Olibanum, Myrrh, Amber, Storax, Benzoin
4. As a plaster to warm the Stomach, Labdanum with Olibanum, Storax, Benzoin
5. Plaster for Hernia. Labdanum with Turpentine, Mastic, Comfrey root, Cypress nuts, Armenian Earth
6. Chronic Headache, used as a snuff with Orris root. (Avicenna)
7. To nourish the strengthen the Hair, Labdanum with Storax, Saffron, Gum ammoniac, infused in wine and applied
8. To stop falling of hair, Labdanum, Wine, Myrrh, Oil of Myrtle. (Avicenna)
9. Toothache, prepared drops with Labdanum and Pomegranate peel, and drop into the opposite ear. (Avicenna)
10. As a snuff for Nasal Ulcers.
Cautions:
1. Not used during pregnancy
2. Some people may have allergic reactions
3. “Labdanum is harmful for the nerves”. (Avicenna)
Toxicity:
LD50 in rats is 8980 mg/kg
Main Preparations used:
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