BT-024 · Anacardiaceae

Mastic tree

Pistacia lentiscus

Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe

The tree grows all over the Mediterranean, but those yielding plenty of resin are almost only in southern Chios. In Ottoman times mastic was sent to the palace as tax.

Other names: Mastic, mastiha, damla sakızı (Turkish)
Part used: Resin
Region: Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Use: Healing, Food

Photo: Júlio Reis ( Tintazul ) · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Mastic tree?

Mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus) is a plant of the Anacardiaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: resin.

What is Mastic tree used for?

Traditional use: Around Çeşme and Chios, the trunk is scored to collect mastic. Scientific evidence: limited. The EMA recognises mastic for mild indigestion and healing small wounds as traditional uses.

Is Mastic tree safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Generally safe. Can cause allergy in people allergic to pistachio.

Traditional use

Anatolia

Around Çeşme and Chios, the trunk is scored to collect mastic. It flavours puddings, Turkish delight and coffee and is chewed for the stomach.

Ancient Greece

Chewed to clean the teeth and freshen the breath; the word mastic is related to the Greek verb for chewing.

In nature

Where it grows: A common shrub of Aegean and Mediterranean maquis; resin-rich trees grow in southern Chios.
Harvest season: Resin is collected July–October by scoring the trunk.
Local names: sakız ağacı, damla sakızı, mastika

Mix-up risk

Terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus) also yields resin but is a different plant.

Preparation

The resin is chewed or ground into food.

What science says

The EMA recognises mastic for mild indigestion and healing small wounds as traditional uses. Small studies showed a limited effect on the stomach bacterium H. pylori.