What does galbanum smell like in perfume? Galbanum smells intensely green and sappy, like snapping a fresh plant stem. It is one of the greenest materials in perfumery, with a bitter, resinous edge.
| Botanical name | Ferula gummosa |
|---|---|
| Plant part | Gum resin from the stems |
| Origin | Iran |
| Extraction | Steam distillation and resinoid |
| Note | Top |
| Scent family | Herbs & Green |
| Odour | Intensely green and sappy, like snapped stems, with a bitter, resinous edge |
| Perfume uses | Green florals, chypres and fresh blends |
| Key molecules | Undecatrienes, pyrazines, α-pinene |
| Odour impact | Very high |
| Odour life on a strip | Long: a day or more |
| Found in | Neroli Nuance, Pizzicato Bliss |
Used within IFRA limits. Impact and odour life are our own studio guide, judged on a smelling strip.
What Is Galbanum?
Galbanum is a gum resin collected from Ferula gummosa, a fennel-like plant from the mountains of Iran. The resin oozes from cuts in the stems and roots and is distilled into a powerful green oil.
What Does Galbanum Smell Like?
Here is how strongly each facet of galbanum comes through, from our own smelling-strip notes.
Green
Snapped stems and crushed leaves.
Bitter
A sharp, bracing bitterness.
Resinous
A balsamic, sticky depth.
Earthy
A damp, rooty note.
How Perfumers Use Galbanum
Perfumers use galbanum to give florals and chypres a fresh, green signature. Even a trace transforms a composition, making it feel crisp and alive.
An ancient resin
Galbanum was one of the ingredients in the sacred incense of the ancient Hebrews, mentioned in the Book of Exodus.
Smell Galbanum in Prosody London Perfumes
For galbanum at its most expressive, try Pizzicato Bliss. Galbanum grounds this lively cologne with a fresh, green resinous depth beside myrrh and benzoin. You will also find galbanum in Neroli Nuance.
Pizzicato Bliss
Neroli NuanceWhat Blends Well With Galbanum?
Questions About Galbanum
Is galbanum strong?
Very. It is used in tiny amounts.
Does galbanum last long?
Yes, its resinous side lingers.
What pairs with galbanum?
Florals, citrus, oakmoss and resins.
Explore all of our natural perfume ingredients.
