Traditional Use
Cistus essential oil shows antimicrobial properties against Staph, E. Coli and Candida. Cistus is known for its wound healing abilities. Effective for chronic conditions like psoriasis & eczema. Cistus acts fast to stop the bleeding from a fresh wound. It increases lymph drainage, is beneficial for acne & oily skin, as well as wrinkles & mature skin. Can be used for coughs, colds & bronchitis as well.
Botany
A small, wild growing shrub, Cistus has lanced shaped leaves that are white & woolly beneath and sticky on top, with fragrant white flowers. Can grow up to 3 meters high.
Traditional Folklore & Uses
The Egyptians, after importing Cistus from Crete, used the resin as a perfume & incense. It is said that in Christ’s time, an incense was made with Myrrh, Frankincense & “Onycha”, later identified as gum labdanum, which is extracted from the leaves of Cistus. It has been used since the Middle Ages in Europe to treat wounds & ulcers of the skin. The gum was used for diarrhea, dysentery, & catarrh. It has also been used as a fixative for perfumery.
