Pistacia lentiscus
Pistacia lentiscus, commonly known as mastic tree, is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region. Renowned for its aromatic resin, known as mastic, this plant has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It possesses powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, supporting digestive health and skin vitality.
- Scientific name: Pistacia lentiscus
- Family: Anacardiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Sapindaales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation concludes with the genus Pistacia.
| 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, scientifically known as Pistacia lentiscus, is recognized by various common names depending on the linguistic region. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 乳香黄连木 (zh-hans and zh-cn), as well as 乳香黄连木 in the contexts of zh-hk and zh-sg. In Traditional Chinese, the name is written as 乳香黃連木 (zh-hant).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 乳香黄连木 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 乳香黃連木 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 乳香黃連木 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 乳香黄连木 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 乳香黄连木 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 乳香黃連木 | Wikidata |
| he | אלת המסטיק | Wikidata |
| ko | 매스틱나무 | Wikidata |
| de | Mastixstrauch | Wikidata |
| sc | Chessa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Pistacia lentiscus, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing natively in the Baleares islands. Additionally, the species is present in the territories of Corse and France. Its range further extends to the coastal areas of Portugal. Finally, the plant is also well-distributed throughout Sardegna.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as mastic, possesses various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The most valued part of the plant is the aromatic resins, which are harvested as a thick, sticky substance known as mastic gum. Beyond these resin exudates, the medicinal profile of the species extends to its evergreen leaves, which are often studied for their antioxidant qualities. Additionally, the woody structures, including the twigs and the main stem, contribute to the plant's overall biological makeup and are sometimes integrated into botanical studies regarding its essential oil content.- Total parts
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 19
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| resin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| twigs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| resins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| natural resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mastic gum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mastic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pistacia lentiscus has 42 reported phytochemicals identified across 55 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, alpha-pinene, germacrene D.
- Total chemicals
- 42
- Scientific sources
- 55
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| tannins | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| alpha-pinene | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| germacrene D | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| limonene | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| monoterpenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| D-limonene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Digallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pistacia lentiscus has 16 reported activities identified across 38 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antidiabetic, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 38
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| Antibacterial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antigenotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pistacia lentiscus has 36 reported medicinal uses identified across 48 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, inflammation, antioxidant, cancer, duodenal ulcer.
- Total uses
- 36
- Scientific sources
- 48
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| duodenal ulcer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infections | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammatory bowel disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |