Botanical atlas
Mastic
Pistacia lentiscus
On the Greek island of Chios, mastic has been harvested and prized for thousands of years, so much so that Ottoman rulers once guarded its trade closely. Ancient Greeks and Romans chewed the hardened resin tears to sweeten the breath and calm an unsettled stomach, a habit that gave us the very word 'masticate.' Beyond the body, mastic found its way into incense, varnish, and the kitchens of the eastern Mediterranean, where it still lends its resinous, pine-like sweetness to breads, puddings, and the stretchy Turkish ice cream called dondurma.
In tradition.
On the Greek island of Chios, mastic has been harvested and prized for thousands of years, so much so that Ottoman rulers once guarded its trade closely. Ancient Greeks and Romans chewed the hardened resin tears to sweeten the breath and calm an unsettled stomach, a habit that gave us the very word 'masticate.' Beyond the body, mastic found its way into incense, varnish, and the kitchens of the eastern Mediterranean, where it still lends its resinous, pine-like sweetness to breads, puddings, and the stretchy Turkish ice cream called dondurma.
Traditional preparations.
A traditional Mediterranean sipping tea used after meals to settle the stomach.
Traditionally, a few small tears of mastic resin (about 1/4 teaspoon, crushed with a small pinch of sugar to keep them from clumping) are steeped in 250 ml of just-boiled water for 10 minutes, then strained before drinking.
The oldest and simplest use of mastic, practiced on Chios for generations to freshen breath and ease digestion after eating.
A single small tear of mastic resin is chewed slowly and gently, much like a piece of gum, until it softens.
Safety.
Mastic is well tolerated in normal culinary and traditional amounts. It belongs to the cashew family, so those with tree nut or pistachio allergies should be cautious, and it is best avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding since safety data is limited.
Our sister app HerbLens identifies mastic from a photo and keeps its full botanical portrait: growing guide, harvest notes, and look-alike warnings.
View on HerbLensAsk HerbSense how mastic is traditionally used and what to know before trying anything at home.
Ask about MasticHerbSense shares traditional herbal knowledge for education, not diagnosis or treatment. Herbs can interact with medicines and conditions. Speak with your doctor before acting on anything here, and seek care promptly for anything severe, sudden, or worsening.