Cyprus Turpentine

A genus of about 11 species of trees and shrubs, found in the Mediterranean areas, Asia, C America, and S USA. Pistacia lentiscus has been valued since Classical times for its resin, known as mastic, which is used as a temporary filling for teeth and to sweeten the breath. It contains pinene, a strongly antiseptic volatile oil, commonly found in Pinus species (See, Mugo Pine). Trees are tapped for 5-6 weeks by making incisions in the bark, about 2cm (¾in) long, numbering 200-300 per plant. The main producer is the Greek island of Chios, where harvesting is restricted by law to between July 15 and October 15. Pistacia terebinthus was described by Theophrastus in the first century BCE as the source of turpentine, a viscous oleo-resin, which is also obtained from various conifers, such as Pinus palustris (See, Pitch Pine). Essence of turpentine, used in aromatherapy, is made by distilling turpentine. Fioravanti's balm is a compound spirit of turpentine, made by distilling alcohol with turpentine and various other anti-rheumatic substances. Turpentine and mastic were among the 17 ingredients of kyphi, an Egyptian incense. Pistacia is from the Greek pistake, "pistachio tree" (P. vera), to which P. lentiscus and P. terebinthus are closely related.

Rounded, deciduous tree or shrub with aromatic, dark green, pinnate leaves, 10-20cm (4-8in) long, divided into 3-6 pairs of ovate leaflets, which have a terminal leaflet. Small red-green flowers appear in panicles in spring and early summer, followed by edible red to purple-brown fruits, to 7mm (¼in) long.

Common Name:	Cyprus Turpentine
Other Names:	Terebinth Tree
Botanical Name:	Pistacia terebinthus
Genus:	Pistacia
Family:	Anacardiaceae
Native Location:	Mediterranean
Cultivation:	Well-drained to dry, sandy or stony, alkaline soil in sun. Trim plants in spring to restrict size.
Propagation:	By seed sown at 25°C (77°F) in early spring; by greenwood cuttings in late spring or early summer; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Harvest:	Resin is obtained from incisions in bark from mid-summer to mid-autumn, and dried for powder (P. lentiscus) or distilled for oil and essence (P. lentiscus, P. terebinthus). Seeds are pressed for oil when ripe.
Height:	6m (20ft)
Width:	2-6m (6-20ft)
Hardiness:	Z9
Parts Used:	Resin, essence
Properties:	A bitter, aromatic, antiseptic herb that is expectorant, relaxes spasms, controls bleeding, promotes healing, and is effective against various parasitic organisms.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for chronic bronchial infections, streptococcal, urinary, and renal infections, hemorrhage, gallstones, tapeworm, and rheumatism. Externally for arthritis, gout, sciatica, scabies and lice.
Culinary Uses:	Seeds and seed oil are edible. Resin is chewed as chewing gum. Immature fruits clusters are picked as a condiment.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp.321-322