Variant spelling of galbanum; a resinous gum obtained from certain plants, used in perfumes and ancient medicines.
From Late Latin galbanum, derived from Greek 'chalbane,' which came from a Semitic language; the substance was traded along ancient spice routes.
Galbanum was so valuable to ancient perfumers that it's mentioned in the Bible as one of the ingredients in sacred incense—archaeologists have found it in Egyptian tombs, proving that luxury scents are nothing new!
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