Mastic Tree

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.

Large, evergreen shrub or small tree with leathery, pungently scented, pinnate leaves, to 10cm (4in) long, divided into 2-7 pairs of narrowly oblong to ovate, glossy leaflets, which have winged stalks and no terminal leaflet. Dense clusters of red-green flowers appear from spring to early summer, followed by globose, fleshy, red fruits, ripening to black.

Common Name:	Mastic Tree
Other Names:	Lentisc
Botanical Name:	Pistacia lentiscus
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:	1-4m (3-12ft)
Width:	1-4m (3-12ft)
Hardiness:	Z9
Parts Used:	Resin, Oil
Properties:	An aromatic, stimulant, antiseptic herb with a pine-like aroma. It has diuretic and expectorant effects, and controls bleeding.
Medicinal Uses:	Externally for boils, ulcers, bronchitis, ringworm, and muscular stiffness.
Culinary Uses:	Licorice-flavored resin is chewed like chewing gum, and used to flavor cakes, desserts, and candy. Oil from seeds, known as shina oil, is used for cooking.
Economic Uses:	Resin and oil are used as fixatives in perfumery and also in the Greek candy masticha and in the liqueur mastiche. Resin is used in varnishes, lacquers, and for sealing edges of microscope mounts.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp.321-322