Scented Best of the Best for 2009

Perfume Shrine: Scented Best of the Best for 2009

*Best Perfumery Trends in 2009:

*Best in Niche:

*Best Mainstream:

*Best Vintage Finds this year & History Write-Ups I enjoyed writing:

*Best Packaging/Advertising:

*Best in Home-Scenting:

*Notable Perfumers for their Excellence in 2009:

*Best Brand Revival:

*Best Hype:

*Best scent-related Realisation:

*Best Admission from within the industry:

*And an honorary Worst Piece of News:

*Best Perfume Term Coined this year:

*Best Inexpensive Finds (beauty & scent-related):

*Best Light Reading:

*Best Gift I Got:

Please visit the following blogs for their 2009 highlights!

Perfume Shrine

Mossy Loomings

1000fragrances

Ayala Smelly Blog

Bittergrace Notes

Shoes,cake,perfume

Eiderdown Press Journal

Olfactarama

Roxana’s Illuminated Journal

A Rose Beyond the Thames

The Non Blonde

Notes from the Ledge

Under the Cupola

All I am a Redhead

Perfume In Progress

Savvy Thinker

I Smell Therefore I Am

Myrrh of Bible???????

by
Anthony V. Gaudiano

Myrrh (Strong’s has several words for Myrrh: 3910 - a gum (from its sticky nature) probably ladanum, 4753 - distilling in drops and also as bitter, 4666 - perfumed oil: ointment, 4669 - to tincture with myrrh, i.e. embitter (as a narcotic):-mingle with myrrh.

Myrrh is an aromatic gum resin, generally believed have been obtained from the low-growing thorny shrub or tree known as Commiphora myrrha (Balsamodendron myrrha) or the related variety Commiphora kataf. Both thrive in rocky areas particularly on limestone hills.


The wood and bark of such plants have a strong odor. Although the resin exudes by itself from the stem or the thick and stiff branches of either variety, the flow can be increased by means of incisions.

Initially the clear, white, or yellowish-brown resin is soft and sticky, but upon dripping to the ground to the ground it hardens and turns dark red or black.

It is collected and is marketed as a spice, medicine, or cosmetic (Song of Songs 5; Matt 2:11; Mark 15:23; John 19:39).

In Genesis 37:25 and 43:11 the Hebrew word ‘l4t’ is generally translated as “myrrh.” However, some question whether Commiphora myrrha, now native to Arabia and east Africa, was known in Palestine during the patriarchal period.
A better translation for lot word is considered to be “labdanum,” a gummy resin produced by the small labdanum scrub (Cistus creticus L.), growing abundantly in the rocks and sand in Palestine.


References to myrrh are in Prov. 7:17 - “perfumed my bed with myrrh,[likely as a sprinkled powder]” Song 5:5 - “my hands dripped with myrrh”[perhaps myrrh dissolved in oil or wine], Matt. 2:11 - “gold, frankincense, and myrrh,” Mark 15:23 - “wine mingled with myrrh ...” [indicates the resin is soluble in water and alcohol.

Bible Fragrances - Labdanum

Hebrew:lot, from a semitic root meaning "resinous herb".
Assyrian: ladunu.
Arab: ladhan.
Greek: ledanon.
Latin: ladanum or labdanum.
Genesis 37,25 and 43,11

A highly pungent gum-resin, secreted by the lower part of the leaves of the Cistus Creticus, a small bush with hardy and pink flower, contrasting leaves which thrives in dry, sunny woods in Mediterranean regions.


Herodotus and Pliny report that labdanum was collected by combing the beards of goats, which were impregnated with the substance.

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.

The Ishmaelite caravan coming from Gilead to which Joseph was sold, was transporting labdanum (Genesis 37, 25). Subsequently, Jacob ordered his sons to offer labdanum, along with other local products, to their brother, now an Egyptian dignitary.

"And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts and almonds." Genesis 43, 11

Its aroma is pleasant, sweet, herbaceous and balsamic. Its animal-like odor is reminiscent of ambergris and is used in perfumery for its fixative properties.

Myrrh of Bible (labdanum from Cistus Creticus)

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Myrrh \Myrrh\, n. [OE. mirre, OF. mirre, F. myrrhe, L. myrrha, murra, Gr. ?; cf. Ar. murr bitter, also myrrh, Heb. mar bitter.]
A gum resin, usually of a yellowish brown or amber color, of an aromatic odor, and a bitter, slightly pungent taste. It is valued for its odor and for its medicinal properties. It exudes from the bark of a shrub of Abyssinia and Arabia, the Balsamodendron Myrrha. The myrrh of the Bible is supposed to have been partly the gum above named, and partly the exudation of species of Cistus, or rockrose.

False myrrh. See the Note under Bdellium.

Cistus Incanus - labdanum.

Collecting labdanum

Cistus Incanus - Swine flu H1N1

Youtobe video in Spanish language.


My youtobe video

CYSTUS052 may be an effective adjuvant in respiratory tract infections

SITE....

This article aimed to investigate the clinical effect of a Cistus spp. (rock rose) extract (CYSTUS052) in comparison with extract made from Camellia sinensis (green tea) on 300 patients with infections of the upper respiratory tract. It observed a total of 300 patients (277 completers) treated with CYSTUS052 given in lozenges compared with treatment with an extract of C. sinensis. The patients scored the subjective severity of target symptoms using a predefined scale. The score of subjective symptoms decreased over the course of treatment with CYSTUS052, whereas treatment with C. sinensis resulted in a less significant decrease in symptoms.

Kalus U, Kiesewetter H, Radtke H. Effect of CYSTUS052® and green tea on subjective symptoms in patients with infection of the upper respiratory tract