Mastic tree - Pistacia lentiscus

Plants to Be recovered - The Mastic Tree

Mastic tree

Plants to be saved - The Lentisk (or Mastic tree)
Lentisk: (Pistacia lentiscus)
Anacardiaceae

The Lentisk is a low, spreading dark green shrub that emanates a strong resinous odour.
It has perennial leaves with 2-5 pairs of little whole, smooth, oval, lanceolate leaflets.
Delicate clusters of small flowers grow from the axil of the leaves. The male flowers have 5 stamens with dark red anthers, while the female ones have a clear ovary, a short style and three stigmas; both have a greatly reduced perianth. The fruit consists of little, round, reddish drupes. It typically grows in the Mediterranean region: it blooms in April and May.
In Italy, it is widespread along all the coasts, except on those which are colder than the high Adriatic.
The Lentisk is a species which is widespread in the Mediterranean scrubland where it associates with other elements of the scrub. It flourishes from sea level to a height up to 600-700 metres, often in association with myrtle, olive, phyllirea etc.
It is a plant which stands up to the sun and heat and resists in conditions of great aridity, making it most suitable for this type of terrain. It prefers, however, sandy soils, where it flourishes, reaching the dimensions of a small, twisted tree, or, more commonly, a bush. It improves and protects the earth. Today Lentisk’s uses are very limited; once the wood was used for producing good quality charcoal, or directly for small jobs on the lathe, thanks to its hardness and its beautiful red-grained colour.

Leaves and Yield

Resin is taken from the plant at the beginning of autumn by cutting into the trunk and the branches. When in contact with the air, the resin collects and forms small, dark masses that are then removed. The so-called "mastic of Chio" is made from it. It is used for preparing varnishes. In the near east this mastic is used as chewing gum to whiten the teeth.
The leaves and the fruits contain small quantities of an active principle, pinene, which has astringent and aromatic properties and can be purchased in a herbalist’s. The Lentisk’s essential oil is an excellent balm that invigorates and refreshes when added to bath. It can also be used for perfuming the air in the house.
The dried resin can be used for perfuming wardrobes and for keeping insects away.
The pressed seeds yield an oil that was once used both for cooking – even if very bitter - and for lighting - it was used in Roman lanterns.
The drupe of the Lentisk can be eaten as it is similar to the pistachio, which in fact belongs to the same genus as the Lentisk.
In ancient times the Lentisk was considered a remedy for curing a lot of illnesses. In his "Natural History", Pliny the elder suggested to use a mix of oil extracted from the fruits and wax to cure abrasions, and its fresh leaves for inflammation of the oral cavity.
Today we know that the internal use of Lentisk can provoke poisoning and cases of intolerance.

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