Pistacia atlantica

Baneh

Pistacia atlantica, commonly known as the Atlantic mastic tree, is a resilient evergreen native to North Africa. Highly valued in traditional medicine, its resin and leaves possess potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This versatile plant plays a crucial role in supporting gastrointestinal health and skin healing processes.

  • Scientific name: Pistacia atlantica
  • Family: Anacardiaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Pistacia, specifically as the species Pistacia atlantica.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Anacardiaceae WCVP
Genus Pistacia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Pistacia atlantica, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In German, it is called die Atlantische Pistazie, while in Persian, it is known as بنه. Its Hebrew name is אלה אטלנטית, and in the Slavic languages, it is identified as Фисташка туполистная in Russian and Фісташка туполиста in Ukrainian.
Language Common Name Source
de Atlantische Pistazie Wikidata
fa بنه Wikidata
he אלה אטלנטית Wikidata
ru Фисташка туполистная Wikidata
uk Фісташка туполиста Wikidata
ar بطم أطلسي Wikidata
ka საკმლის ხე Wikidata
pl Pistacja atlantycka Wikidata
az Atlantika püstəsi Wikidata
hy Պիստակենի բթատերև Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across multiple continents and regions. In Southeastern Europe, it can be found growing in Greece and within the European portion of Türkiye. Its range extends further into Eastern Europe, specifically reaching the region of Krym. Moving toward Northern Africa, the species is established in Algeria. Finally, its presence is also noted within the territory of Libya.

Region Area Source
Southeastern Europe Greece WCVP
Southeastern Europe Türkiye-in-Europe WCVP
Eastern Europe Krym WCVP
Northern Africa Algeria WCVP
Northern Africa Libya WCVP
Northern Africa Morocco WCVP
Northern Africa Tunisia WCVP
Macaronesia Canary Is. WCVP
Central Asia Tadzhikistan WCVP
Caucasus North Caucasus WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Pistacia atlanticica, offers various components that contribute to its medicinal profile. The leaf serves as a primary source for pharmacological studies, where concentrated leaf extracts are utilized for their bioactive properties. Beyond the foliage, the plant produces a complex resinous therapeutic oleoresin gum, a substance that integrates both resin and gum within its composition. These exudates are highly valued in traditional medicine, providing a potent blend of chemical constituents derived from the tree's natural defense mechanisms.
Total parts
9
Scientific sources
11
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaf 3 ★★☆☆☆
resinous therapeuetic oleoresin gum 1 ★☆☆☆☆
resin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf extracts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gum 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruit oil 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruit 1 ★☆☆☆☆
essential oil 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Oleoresin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Pistacia atlantica has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 34 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, fatty acids, rutin, Gallic acid, Quercetin.

Total chemicals
27
Scientific sources
34

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 6 ★★★☆☆
fatty acids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
rutin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Gallic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Quercetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
calcium 1 ★☆☆☆☆
campesterol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
catechin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chlorogenic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
copper 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Pistacia atlantica has 18 reported activities identified across 26 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Anticholinesterase, Antimicrobial, Analgesic.

Total activities
18
Scientific sources
26

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 5 ★★★☆☆
Antidiabetic 3 ★★☆☆☆
Anticholinesterase 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antihyperglycemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antihyperlipidemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Pistacia atlantica has 25 reported medicinal uses identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Diabetes mellitus, pain, Antioxidant, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigates.

Total uses
25
Scientific sources
27

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Diabetes mellitus 2 ★☆☆☆☆
pain 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Aspergillus flavus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Aspergillus fumigates 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Aspergillus niger 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Candida albicans 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Escherichia coli 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antihyperglycemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
blood glucose 1 ★☆☆☆☆