Cistus / Labdanum (Flowers & Leaves) Oil Distillation Plant

A Cistus labdanum flowers and leaves oil distillation plant is a specialized facility designed to extract essential oil or resinoid from the flowers and leaves of the Cistus ladanifer plant, commonly known as labdanum. Labdanum oil is prized for its rich, warm, balsamic, and amber-like aroma, extensively used in high-end perfumery, incense, and traditional medicine.

The extraction process typically involves steam distillation or solvent extraction, depending on the desired product quality and application. In steam distillation, fresh or semi-dried labdanum flowers and leaves are placed into stainless steel distillation units where steam vaporizes the volatile aromatic compounds. These vapors are condensed, and the essential oil is separated from the floral water (hydrosol).

Alternatively, solvent extraction is used to obtain a more concentrated and resinous labdanum absolute, favored in perfumery for its fixative properties.

Modern distillation plants are equipped with efficient boilers, corrosion-resistant distillation chambers, condensers, and separators. They also feature precise temperature and pressure control systems to optimize yield and preserve the delicate fragrance profile of labdanum oil.

The essential oil and absolutes contain key aromatic compounds like labdanum resin, cadinene, and curcumenes, giving labdanum its characteristic rich, woody, and leathery scent. The plant operates under strict hygiene and quality protocols to ensure production of high-purity labdanum oil suitable for luxury perfumes, aromatherapy, and therapeutic applications.