Hystory of labdanum from Cistus Creticus

Labdanum farm - Summer 2009.

In ancient times, the resin was scraped from the fur of goats and sheep that had grazed on the cistus shrubs. It was collected by the shepherds and sold to coastal traders. The false beards worn by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt were actually the labdanum soaked hair of these goats. Later long poles with leather or cloth strips were used to sweep the shrubs and collect the resin which was later extracted.

Labdanum from Cistus Creticus / Incanus

labdanum resin.

Also known as 'European Rock Rose' and 'Cistus oil'. The gum was used since ancient times for catarrh, diarrhea, dysentery and to promote menstruation. The oil can be used for scrofulous skin conditions, ulcers and tumors, including cancer. Used as a fixative in soaps, detergents, and perfumes as well as most major food categories for flavorings, especially meats and soft drinks. Avoid during pregnancy.

The plant Cistus Creticus.

EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)

EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) - is considered to be the most powerful antioxidant of all the catechins.




EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) in Cistus in Cistus Species Extracts

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Medicine of AIDS??

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), also known as Epigallocatechin 3-gallate, is the ester of epigallocatechin and gallic acid and a type of catechin.

EGCG is the most abundant catechin in most notably tea, among other plants, and is also a potent antioxidant that may have therapeutic properties for many disorders including cancer. It is found in green tea but not black tea, as EGCG is converted into thearubigins in black teas.

EGCG can be found in many supplements.

EGCG and HIV

There has been research investigating the benefit of EGCG from green tea in the treatment of HIV infection, where EGCG has been shown to reduce plaques related to AIDS related dementia in the laboratory, as well as block gp120. However, these effects have yet to be confirmed in live human trials, and it does not imply that green tea will cure or block HIV infection, but it may help regulate viral load as long as it is not involved in adverse drug reactions. The concentrations of EGCG used in the studies could not be reached by drinking green tea. More study into EGCG and HIV is currently underway.

Drug Interactions

A recent study using mouse models at the University of Southern California showed that, in contrast to the myriad benefits commonly associated with green tea and green tea extract (GTE), EGCG binds with the anti-cancer drug Velcade, significantly reducing its bioavailability and thereby rendering it therapeutically useless. Dr. Schönthal, who headed the study, suggests that consumption of green tea and GTE products be strongly contraindicated for patients undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.

Epiphany

Three kings: Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar


The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In many Western churches, it celebrates the arrival of the wise men bringing gifts to the Christ child at the manger in Bethlehem. Actually, though, the Bible says they arrived at "the house". In terms of time sequence, it may actually have been as much as three years after Jesus' birth. In any case, in coming to honor Jesus, they "revealed" Jesus to the world as Lord and King.

Epiphany goes by other names in various church traditions. In Hispanic and Latin culture, as well as some places in Europe, it is known as Three Kings’ Day (Spanish: el Dia de los Tres Reyes, la Fiesta de Reyes, or el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag). In the Eastern churches it is known as the Theophany. The Catholic Encyclopedia mentions that Jesus' birth, the visit of the Magi, and his baptism were once all celebrated on January 6th.

The gifts

The tradition of giving Christmas gifts stems from the Wise Men (Magi). Their gifts to Jesus were quite costly... gold, incense (frankincense), and myrrh. Bringing gifts was very important in the ancient East when visiting a superior. The gifts of the wise men foreshadowed the reality of Jesus.

* Gold was a gift fit for a King.

* Frankincense is a glittering resin obtained from several trees. It has a wonderful smell when burnt, so it was used in worship at the Temple.

* Myrrh was a sweet-smelling spice, probably the aromatic gum exuded from the leaves of the cistus rose. Its oil was used in beauty treatments, and it was sometimes mixed with wine and drunk to relieve pain. And it had one other use - a perfume used in embalming. It was used in preparing Jesus' body for burial. Both frankincense and myrrh are still expensive today.

The Wise Men may have also brought myrrh for the baby Jesus for another reason -- it was used as a salve for skin irritations. Babies often get skin rashes (we'd call it "diaper rash".)

Labdanum resin – Cistus Cretiucus / Cistus villosus var. creticus - from Northern Crete.

The fragrance of Labdanum is very complex. This waxy resin produces a balsamlike, woody, earthy, marshy, smoky, ambergrislike, leathery, flowery, honeylike, mintlike fragrance with hints of plum or oakmoss after a rain. Labdanum has fascinated people for many centuries. It is said to reach deep into our subconscious and bring back memories, pictures, feelings and moods. Labdanum originates from the rockrose bush, which emits a resinous dark brown mass from its leaves and twigs. To this day it is still gathered by driving goats into the thick forests overgrown with labdanum bushes. The goats eat their fill from the branches and the sticky resin gets stuck on their beards. When they return, their owners carefully comb the resin our of their beards. Another technique, in use as late as the 18th century, consisted of brushing young cistus bushes with a kind of whip, consisting of leather thongs which, once covered with resin, were scraped. Labdanum strengthens the body and provides warmth and sensuality. It is very grounding. The Japanese use Labdanum in their Neriko mixtures, which are used during tea ceremony. Egyptians used it in their Kyphi mixtures and the Hebrews burned it in their temples.

Do not fear the fig bearers by Elena Vosnaki.Perfume shine in FRAGRANTICA

Figs and fig-trees have an illustrious history behind them and, if the wood carvings dating from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance are any indication, they formed part of the Garden of Eden - their wide leaves serving as the first within reach medium of modesty after the Lapse from Heaven.

The philosopher Plato was more interested in their mental-stirring qualities rather than practical ones, claiming that figs stimulate intelligence and alongside him all the ancient Mediterranean civilizations prized figs for their hearty flesh, their nectarous quality, the health benefits they imparted and the precious advantage of being able to be dried for consuming during wintertime.

Dried, candied figs are still sold throughout the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean as a delicacy that harkens back to those times. Such was the importance placed on them that in classical Athens (a significant trade center) the term sycophant/συκοφάντης (literally “revealer of figs”) was coined for those who snitched on the poachers of figs.

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