Markovics A., Azaizeh H. 

Pistacia lentiscus L. is an evergreen shrub or tree of the Anacardiaceae family that is ubiquitous in Mediterranean areas under 1,100 m above sea level. The essential oil obtained from the gum/resin is commonly called mastic oil, whereas the oil obtained from the leaves is termed lentisk oil. Mastic, foliage, and fruit essential oils have served in traditional human medicine for millennia. In human medicine, aqueous extracts of leaves and young twigs are prepared as infusions or decoctions. Leaves and young twigs are used “as is” in veterinary medicine. Extracts exhibit a high concentration of phenolics and terpenes of varying composition. In addition to the traditional use of mastic resin in human medicine against stomach ulcers, evidences for anti-bacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, hepato-protective, and anti-carcinogenic properties of products sourcing from P. lentiscus, some of them controversial, are accumulating. The anthelmintic and anticoccidial properties of P. lentiscus foliage have been recently demonstrated in small ruminants. Metabolomics, encompassing new analytical procedures will probably help in elucidating the rationale of traditional medicine in using P. lentiscus for therapies or prevention. It can be expected that new cultivars will be cultivated on the basis of bio-activity.

Chapter 8