Labdanum is the resin extracted from cistus or rockrose, a plant that grows wild in the Rif mountains of Morocco.

In the old days, it was collected with a comb from the hair of goats pasturing in the mountains.

Today, natural labdanum absolute is produced commercially using chemical solvents such as hexane or ether. SAMA does not allow such absolutes in its formulas.

For this reason SAMA produces labdanum traditionnally in Morocco. Cistus leaves are steeped in organic alcohol in order to produce a tincture. Labdanum tincture is a key base note of AMBRE ROSE Eau de Parfum, and gives this perfume its beautiful amber color.

PS: SAMA does not use ambergris, an animal product (a whale secretion), for fear that its high price may fuel animal cruelty.