A bitter, aromatic gum resin obtained from certain Persian plants, used in perfumery and incense. It has a green, earthy scent and was historically used in religious ceremonies.
From Arabic qinnah or khalabān, referring to this bitter resin from Persia. The word entered English via Latin galbanum and Greek chalbane, ultimately from a Semitic source. Arabic merchants controlled the trade routes that brought this resin from Persia to Europe and beyond.
Galbanum was the 'green note' in ancient perfumery—its fresh, grassy scent was so distinctive that perfumers could identify it instantly! Arabic alchemists discovered that mixing galbanum with other resins created completely new fragrance families, laying the groundwork for modern perfume blending.
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