Galbanum

#### Galbanum. **Galbanum **is a natural oleo-gum-resin (see definitions in Part One of this work). Speaking strictly in accordance with our definitions, galbanum should be listed as a natural oleo-resin since the perfumery grade of galbanum contains very little gum. Galbanum is one of the typical examples of a botanical which has "changed" appearance, composition and odor during the past five decades. This is apparent when we look into literature from 1939, 1936, 1926 or even further back: the description of galbanum in these works is outdated. A few, more modern authors suggest that more rapid transportation to the user is the main reason for the significant change, but it seems inconceivable that this should be the only reason. The author of this book has seen various African and Middle-eastern "gums" arrive at the original shipping stations after harvesting, and it appears that the time which elapses between harvesting and the arrival of the merchandise on board ship in the nearest export harbor, has not changed significantly. Only the transportation from the port of origin (departure) to the destination (user) has been slightly shortened. **Galbanum **is collected from not one, but several different species of Ferula (big umbellifer plants). These grow wild in Iran and in the countries toward Asia Minor, e.g. Lebanon. There are still—as the literature correctly says—two types: a hard and a soft galbanum offered commercially. For perfumery, only the soft variety has interest. The hard galbanum is used in pharmacy and for various industrial purposes. **Soft**** ****Galbanum**** **is a dark amber-colored to yellowish-brown or grayish-green, olive-brown, very viscous liquid whose consistency is like fresh honey. It is usually contaminated with wood splinters, sand, gravel, plant fibres, insects, etc., and it will separate a "foot" of a grayish mass on the bottom of its container. This precipitate contains water, sand, some dissolved gum, etc., and it has no perfumery value. It is often possible to eliminate it when emptying a container, since the precipitate is not pourable, while the useful galbanum is just pourable at room temperature (over 20° C.). The odor of crude galbanum (soft type) is powerful, green-woody, almost balsamic-resinous, reminiscent of oleoresins from conifers. The leafy- earthy, green note is often referred to in terms, such as: "like green peppers" or "tossed green salad", etc. There is a distinct resemblance to the odor of hyacinth leaves. For a further odor description, see **Galbanum**** ****Resinoid**. The "hard" galbanum will be discussed here only with respect to its physical description: it is a dry, solid, gravel-like material with a faint odor and variable color; it consists of yellow, orange, red tears or drops, and it is somewhat less hard and brittle than olibanum which it resembles to a certain degree. This type of galbanum is known as **Persian Galbanum.** **Soft**** ****Galbanum**** **or **Levant**** ****Galbanum**** **is collected in very large quantities, and tens of tons are used by the perfume industry, in contradiction to various statements that "galbanum is used to a limited extent in certain perfume types". It is true that its application is limited to a comparatively small number of perfume types, but some of these types are very common in use. The Soft **Galbanum**** **also serves as a starting material for the distillation of **Galbanum**** ****Oil** (see monograph) which is abundantly present in this type of galbanum. Being an exudation of a physiological (naturally formed) product, **Galbanum **does not require much work beyond its actual collection. It is conceivable that the perfumery type of galbanum is mainly derived from those species of Ferula in which the exudation appears at the umbel itself. This exudation contains more essential oil, and is softer than the exudations from stalks, etc. from other species of **Ferula**. See monographs on **Galbanum**** ****Oil**** **and **Galbanum**** ****Resinoid.**