This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Cistus ladanifer work as an antimicrobial?
Cistus ladanifer exerts its antimicrobial effects primarily through its volatile compounds, such as alpha-pinene and camphene, found in the labdanum resin. These terpenes disrupt microbial cell membranes and inhibit bacterial growth. While Evidence Level C supports these antimicrobial properties, the exact clinical mechanism in human physiology requires further study. The plant's high polyphenol content also contributes to its mechanism by neutralizing free radicals.
Is Cistus ladanifer safe to use during pregnancy?
No, Cistus ladanifer is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The resin, labdanum, has stimulating properties that could potentially affect uterine contractions or menstrual flow. Due to a lack of safety data and the potential for the resin to stimulate the uterus, pregnant women are advised to avoid this herb. It is also recommended to avoid use while breastfeeding unless directed by a healthcare professional.
Does Cistus ladanifer interact with any medications?
There are currently no well-documented severe drug interactions for Cistus ladanifer in standard herbal references. However, because the essential oil contains compounds metabolized by liver enzymes, there is a theoretical risk of interaction with drugs processed by the cytochrome P450 system. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before use. Additionally, it should not be combined with other agents that cause skin sensitization.
What is the recommended dosage for Cistus ladanifer?
There is no standardized clinical dosage for Cistus ladanifer due to limited human trials (Evidence Level C). For adults, traditional use involves topical application of the resin to the skin or diluted essential oil in aromatherapy. For topical use, a low dilution is recommended to assess skin tolerance. Internal dosing is not standard and should only be done under the supervision of a qualified medical herbalist.
What is Cistus ladanifer used for in herbal medicine?
Cistus ladanifer, specifically its labdanum resin, is used for skin conditions and respiratory support. Traditionally, it was employed in fumigation for respiratory ailments and as a wound dressing (Traditional evidence). Modern herbalism values it for antimicrobial and antioxidant applications. It is often used in natural skincare for its potential to soothe irritated skin, though users must be cautious of sensitization.
What are the side effects of Cistus ladanifer?
The most common side effect of Cistus ladanifer is skin sensitization or allergic contact dermatitis, particularly in individuals with known fragrance allergies. The essential oil and resin are potent and can cause irritation if applied undiluted. Evidence Level C suggests that while generally safe when diluted, improper use leads to skin reactions. It should be patch-tested before widespread topical application.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Cistus ladanifer, commonly known as gum rockrose, is a Mediterranean shrub valued for its essential oils and labdanum resin, which exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties [PMID:41302483, PMID:35684251].
Background
Cistus ladanifer is a dominant perennial shrub endemic to the western Mediterranean region [PMID:29218421, PMID:30232598]. It is well-adapted to Mediterranean climates and is noted for its resistance to pests, diseases, and extreme environmental factors [PMID:30232598].
Traditional uses
In folk medicine, it is traditionally used for wounds, ulcers, and skin ailments such as psoriasis and eczema [PMID:36243295]. Ethnobotanical reports also describe its use in managing hyperglycemia and mental illnesses [PMID:38792084], and it is employed in Moroccan traditional medicine [PMID:39791951].
Active compounds
Major constituents include essential oils containing α-pinene, viridiflorol, and camphene [PMID:41302483, PMID:33049951]. Labdanum resin contains labdane-type diterpenoids, methylated flavonoids, and phenylpropanoids [PMID:35684251, PMID:38792084]. Other identified compounds include 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone (proposed as a taxonomic marker) [PMID:29218421], condensed tannins [PMID:31627117], and phenolic compounds such as p-cresol, 2-phenylethanol, and 3-phenyl-1-propanol [PMID:34205022].
Mechanism of action
The herb's essential oils and resin demonstrate antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities [PMID:41302483, PMID:35684251]. Labdanum resin has shown potential for inhibiting α-glucosidase (anti-diabetic activity) [PMID:38792084]. In animal models, it has been observed to increase α-tocopherol concentration in muscle, which protects against lipid oxidation [PMID:32172003].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DBacterial and Fungal Infections
Essential oils showed powerful antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii, as well as inhibitory effects on yeasts and molds [PMID:34685879, PMID:36767025].
Evidence DPain (Analgesia)
Ethanolic extract of Moroccan C. ladanifer demonstrated analgesic power in mice using formalin-induced paw-licking and acetic acid-provoked writhing models [PMID:37488755].
Evidence DSkin Care (Cosmeceutical)
Labdanum absolute showed UV-protection, antioxidant, anti-elastase, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities in vitro [PMID:35684251].
Evidence DHyperglycemia
Labdanum resin demonstrated potential antidiabetic activity via inhibition of α-glucosidase [PMID:38792084].
Evidence DViral Infections
In vitro and in silico analysis identified potential antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and SARS-CoV-2 (Delta and Omicron variants) [PMID:39791951].
Safety & adverse effects
Acute toxicity studies in mice using ethanolic extract showed no mortality or clinical symptoms at doses up to 5,000 mg/kg BW [PMID:37488755]. However, a case of contact dermatitis has been reported [PMID:11683839].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models, and chemical profiling (Level D). There are no human clinical trials or systematic reviews provided to establish clinical efficacy in humans.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 29218421 (2018) — Cistus ladanifer (Cistaceae): a natural resource in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. · Planta
2.PMID: 41302483 (2025) — Cistus ladanifer L.: Essential Oils, Volatiles, By-Products, and Their Biological Properties. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 30232598 (2018) — Neglected Mediterranean plant species are valuable resources: the example of Cistus ladanifer. · Planta
4.PMID: 36767025 (2023) — Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oils Obtained from Autochthonous Aromatic Plants. · International journal of environmental research and public health
5.PMID: 35684251 (2022) — Labdanum Resin from Cistus ladanifer L.: A Natural and Sustainable Ingredient for Skin Care Cosmetics with Relevant Cosmeceutical Bioactivities. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 37746842 (2023) — Spatial Variation in Yield, Chemical Composition, and Phytotoxic Activity of Cistus ladanifer Essential Oils. · Chemistry & biodiversity
7.PMID: 38792084 (2024) — Labdanum Resin from Cistus ladanifer L. as a Source of Compounds with Anti-Diabetic, Neuroprotective and Anti-Proliferative Activity. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
8.PMID: 31474477 (2019) — Labdanum and Labdanes of Cistus creticus and C. ladanifer: Anti-Borrelia activity and its phytochemical profiling✰. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
9.PMID: 33049951 (2020) — Pullulan Films Containing Rockrose Essential Oil for Potential Food Packaging Applications. · Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
10.PMID: 34205022 (2021) — Phytotoxic Activity of p-Cresol, 2-Phenylethanol and 3-Phenyl-1-Propanol, Phenolic Compounds Present in Cistus ladanifer L. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
11.PMID: 36904046 (2023) — Evaluation of Propiophenone, 4-Methylacetophenone and 2',4'-Dimethylacetophenone as Phytotoxic Compounds of Labdanum Oil from Cistus ladanifer L. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
12.PMID: 37111859 (2023) — Shrub Invasion Overrides the Effect of Imposed Drought on the Photosynthetic Capacity and Physiological Responses of Mediterranean Cork Oak Trees. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
13.PMID: 37488755 (2023) — Study of the Analgesic Potential of the Ethanolic Extract of Moroccan Cistus ladanifer L. · Cardiovascular & hematological disorders drug targets
14.PMID: 30083180 (2018) — Terpenoid Emissions of Two Mediterranean Woody Species in Response to Drought Stress. · Frontiers in plant science
15.PMID: 31334698 (2019) — Pseudomonas edaphica sp. nov., isolated from rhizospheric soil of Cistus ladanifer L. in Spain. · International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology
16.PMID: 27137636 (2012) — Seasonal Variation of Cistus ladanifer L. Diterpenes. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
17.PMID: 32121584 (2020) — Characterization of Cistus × incanus L. and Cistus ladanifer L. Extracts as Potential Multifunctional Antioxidant Ingredients for Skin Protecting Cosmetics. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
18.PMID: 39791951 (2025) — Uncovering Antiviral Potential of Cistus Ladanifer Extracts Against Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 by In Vitro and In Silico Analysis. · Chemistry & biodiversity
19.PMID: 32392769 (2020) — Effect of Leaf Litter from Cistus ladanifer L. on the Germination and Growth of Accompanying Shrubland Species. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
20.PMID: 31627117 (2020) — Inclusion of the aerial part and condensed tannin extract from Cistus ladanifer L. in lamb diets - Effects on growth performance, carcass and meat quality and fatty acid composition of intramuscular and subcutaneous fat. · Meat science
21.PMID: 36243295 (2023) — Thymus mastichina (L.) L. and Cistus ladanifer L. for skin application: chemical characterization and in vitro bioactivity assessment. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
22.PMID: 34685879 (2021) — Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil from Cistus ladanifer L. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
23.PMID: 33801870 (2021) — Effects of Increasing Doses of Condensed Tannins Extract from Cistus ladanifer L. on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation and Biohydrogenation. · Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
25.PMID: 32231039 (2020) — Fatty Acid Content and Composition of the Morphological Fractions of Cistus Ladanifer L. and Its Seasonal Variation. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
26.PMID: 27306827 (2016) — Effect of feeding lambs with a tanniferous shrub (rockrose) and a vegetable oil blend on fatty acid composition of meat lipids. · Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience
27.PMID: 32172003 (2020) — Increasing the α-tocopherol content and lipid oxidative stability of meat through dietary Cistus ladanifer L. in lamb fed increasing levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid rich vegetable oils. · Meat science
28.PMID: 27130817 (2017) — Modulation of in vitro rumen biohydrogenation by Cistus ladanifer tannins compared with other tannin sources. · Journal of the science of food and agriculture