Synonyms: Lentiscus terebinthus (L.) Kuntze
English Name: Terebinth
Other Names in English: Shirazi Mastic, Turpentine, Cyprus Turpentine, Eastern Turpentine Tree
Family: Anacardiaceae
Persian Name: Mastaki/ مَصطَکی- مَستَکی
German Name: Terebinthe harz- Terpentin- Pistazie gummi- Östlicher Terpentinstrauch harz
French Name: Pistachier térébinthe résine- Térébinthe gommier
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About Pistacia terebinthus
Pistacia terebinthus gum or resin is taken from the branches and stems of shrubs of the pistachio family Anacardiaceae, which is a small shrub or tree, usually up to 3 meters high, but if grown well and taking cared of, in the garden its height reaches 14 meters.
This gum is clear, white and very soft at first. But in the presence of air, it hardens quickly and turns yellow and opaque over time. The gum pieces of this small tree are oval, spherical or drop-shaped. This gum is fragrant, aromatic and almost sweet.
Pistacia terebinthus is a shrub with almost evergreen leaves that all parts of the plant smells mastic resin. The leaves are slightly elongated, oval, and rhomboidal and grow crosswise without petioles. The flowers are red and very small and grow in clusters. The fruits are small, almost spherical, and sometimes oval and grow in clusters. These fruits have three parts: soft shell, hard shell, and core.
Its soft skin is usually red and under this skin, there is a hard and creamy skin that contains a small kernel. The taste of Shirazi Mastic fruit kernel is slightly bitter.
During the warm months of the year, small droplets are secreted out of the stems and branches of this tree and harden after a short time in the presence of air. For more production, locals make incisions in the trunk and branches of the tree, taking an average of 4 to 5 kilograms of resin gum from each tree.
The Pistacia terebinthus gum that is marketed is the shape of small hard teardrops in the size of a small lentil or pea, yellow, semi-transparent and slightly fragrant, and when chewed in the mouth, it softens and the aromatic taste is felt.
Chemical Constituents
Essential oils and about 90% of acids including Masticic Acid, Masticolic Acid, and Masticoresene.
Temperament: Rather hot and dry and some consider it moderate.
Health Benefits
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