Taking a deep breath can revitalize our bodies and minds. With both a peppery and earthy aroma, Cistus essential oil has long been associated with clearing the respiratory system.
The word Cistus is from the Greek ‘kistos’, and is a flowering plant in the rockrose family Cistaceae. Perennial shrubs found on dry or rocky soils throughout the Mediterranean region, from Morocco and Portugal through to the Middle East, Cistus can also be found on the Canary Islands.
The paper-thin, beautiful flower is non-fragrant. The essential oil is extracted from the sticky and resinous leaves and stalks through a steam distillation process.
(Peter Holmes, Aromatica, vol. 1)
