Common Name: Mastic Tree

General Information

Pistacia lentiscus is an evergreen shrub or small tree that usually grows 1 - 6 metres tall[]. Plants in the wild are rarely found in this state - they are frequently cut back for their various uses and are normally found as thick, much-branched, thick bushes[].
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild, especially for its resin which is known as mastic and has a wide range of uses as a food, medicine, high-grade varnish etc. The plant also provides a range of other materials. The plant is sometimes cultivated for the mastic, especially on the Greek island of Chios[, ].
Pistacia lentiscus is widespread and common in many parts of its native range, though conservation planning is recommended in Tunisia where it is reported to be threatened. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2016)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Mediterranean regions of southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia.

Habitat

Open woods, scrub on dry hillsides, matorral, growing on calcareous gravelly soil, rocky limestone and loamy sand; usually by the coast but also at elevations up to 2,000 metres[, , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pistacia lentiscus is a plant of the Mediterranean region, where it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 24°c, but can tolerate 12 - 40°c[]. It requires hot summers to fully ripen its wood - in areas with cooler summers the plant will be more sensitive to cold than the figures given in the next sentence. When dormant, the plant can survive occasional temperatures down to about -9°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 400 - 800mm, but tolerates 200 - 2,000mm[].
Succeeds in any ordinary garden soil[, ], preferring a hot dry position in full sun[]. Prefers a well-drained to dry sandy or stony alkaline soil, tolerating low fertility[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 8, tolerating 6 - 8.5[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
The mastic tree, especially its tree-like variety 'Chia' is cultivated in southern Europe for its gum, aromatic resin, and mastic oil. Most cultivation takes place on the Greek Island of Chios and some surrounding islands[, , , ],
Mastic is a very variable plant, a form with broad leaves yielding the best resin[].
Plants respond well to coppicing, usually resprouting freely if cut back[].
Any pruning that needs to be done is best carried out in the spring[].
A dioeciousplant, both male and female forms must be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

A sweet liquorice-flavoured resin, called 'mastic', is obtained from incisions made into the bark of the trunk, but not into the wood[, , , , ]. The odour is agreeable and the taste mild and resinous, when chewed it becomes soft and so can easily be masticated[]. It is chewed to strengthen the gums and as a breath sweetener and also used as a flavouring in puddings, sweets (including 'Turkish delight') cakes etc[, ]. It is also the basis of a Greek confectionery called 'masticha' and a liqueur called 'mastiche'[, ].

The seed is edible[].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[, , ]. The seed contains around 25% oil - it can be used as a salad oil[].

The fruits are rich in anthocyanins and these are used as colourings in foods[].

Medicinal

Mastic was at one time greatly used in herbal medicine, the resin obtained from the tree (see below for more details) being used[]. It is little used in modern herbalism, though it could be employed as an expectorant for bronchial troubles and coughs and as a treatment for diarrhoea[].

The resin is analgesic, antitussive, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, odontalgic, sedative, stimulant and tonic (especially for the brain)[, , , ]. It is used in the treatment of gastric ailments, including ulcers, stomach aches, dyspepsia and diarrhoea in children; and is also used in conditions such as hepatic inflammation, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and tooth disease[, , , , ].
Applied externally it is used to treat wounds, boils, ulcers, ringworm and muscular stiffness[, , ].
The resin is mixed with other substances and used as a temporary filling for carious teeth[, , ].

The fruits (this report is likely to be referring more specifically to the seed[]) are said to be aphrodisiac[]. They are also used in the treatment of liver, kidney, heart, and respiratory system disorders[].

The leaves are anti-inflammatory,antipyretic, antiseptic, appetizer, astringent, cicatrizant, emollient, expectorant, stomachic and stimulant. They are used in the treatment of abdominal and intestinal pain, jaundice asthma, toothache, mycosis, herpes[].

The roots are antiseptic and used in the treatment of dental problems[].

Other Uses

A resin known as 'mastic' is obtained by making small vertical incisions in the bark of the tree (there is no rsin in the wood) from mid summer to the autumn[, ]. The resin exudes from the cuts and hardens, being harvested about 3 weeks later. It can be dried and used as a powder, or distilled for oil and essence[]. It is used in high grade varnishes, as an incense, a fixative in perfumes, tooth pastes, glue (especially for false beards), embalming, a temporary filling for teeth etc[, , , , , , , , ]. It is used to seal the edges of microscope mounts and is also chewed to preserve the teeth and gums[].

An oil obtained from the seed is used for lighting, soap making etc[, ].

The leaves contain up to 19% tannin, they are often used as an adulterant of sumac, Rhus coriaria[].

Pistacia lentiscus belongs to the secondary Gene Pool of Pistachio (Pistacia vera) and so it has the potential for use as a gene donor for crop improvement[].

The stems are used in basket making[, ].

The pink-coloured wood takes a beautiful polish. It is used in cabinet making and carpentry[].
The wood makes an excellent fuel and is used to make a charcoal[, ].

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 16 hours in alkalized water[], or for 3 - 4 days in warm water[], and sow late winter in a cold frame or greenhouse[, ]. Two months cold stratification may speed up germination, so it might be better to sow the seed in early winter[]. The germination is variable and can be slow. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on the plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving some protection from winter cold for their first year or two outdoors[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood from juvenile trees, July in a frame[].
Layering.