In ancient times, labdanum was collected by combing the beards and thighs of goats and sheep that had grazed on the cistus shrubs [REF].
Some scholars, such as Bochartus,[REF][REF][REF] H.J. Abrahams,[REF] and Rabbi Saʻadiah ben Yosef Gaon (Saadya), 882-942,[REF][REF] state that the mysterious onycha, an ingredient in the holy incense (ketoret) mentioned in the Old Testament (Exodus 30: 34-36), was actually labdanum.