Mastic, Mastic GumMastagi (Unani)
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Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Botanische wandplaten (1904–1914)
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Left: P. lentiscus Right: P. terebinthus
Flora von Deutschland (21), Kohler, 1885
Flora von Deutschland (21), Kohler, 1885
Mastic from Iran
(Adam, 2024)
(Adam, 2024)
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Botanical name:
Pistachio lentiscus (syn. Lentiscus mastiches) Related species which have supplied Mastic or have been used as a substitute include P. terebinthus, P. cabulica ('Roman Mastic', 'East Indian', or 'Bombay Mastic'), Parts used: Gum Temperature & Taste: Warm, dry. Sweet, Pungent |
Chios Mastic (Adam, 2017)
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Uses:
1. Strengthens the Stomach and Spleen, Clears Damp, Tonifies Qi:
-benefits the Stomach and digestion: poor appetite, nausea and vomiting
-Stomach and Duodenal Ulcers
-Stomach pain (swallow some grains before bed)
-cures bad breath
2. Harmonises and Corrects Harsh Medicines:
-an important medicine to correct harsh and violent medicines, especially purgatives
-it can help balance and moderate a formula (similar to Licorice), and supports the Stomach with strong or bitter medicines.
-'it stays the acrimony, or sharpness of strong purging medicines, and is a good corrector of them'. (Pemell, 1652)
3. Settles Wind, Benefits the Heart and Brain:
-some grains of it swallowed after a meal strengthens the Head and Nerves; chewed to draw Phlegm from the Brain
-Dizziness, Vertigo, Epilepsy, Mental weakness
-chronic Headache, Migraine
4. Strengthens the Lungs, Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Sore Throat (held in the mouth)
-deficient Coughs, Lung weakness, cures spitting of Blood
-Wheezing, Asthma
5. Strengthens the Uterus, Regulates Menstruation:
-Excessive Menstruation
-Menstrual irregularity from deficiency, or Spleen Deficiency not controlling the Blood
-Leukorrhea, including that with Blood (coming from deficiency)
6. Resolves Swellings:
-swellings of the Stomach, Liver and other abdominal organs (Unani)
-classed as attenuant and resolvent in Unani medicine
-"Mastic strengthens the Kidneys and Intestines and proves useful in cases of swellings in these organs" (Avicenna)
7. Resists Poison:
-strengthens the Spleen during Epidemics
-Gonorrhea, Elephantiasis
8. Externally:
-chewed to draw Phlegm from the Brain and dry and comfort the brain
-externally as a Dentrifice or mouth wash for sore or foul gums, loose teeth; strengthens the Teeth and Gums
-"Mastic is incorporated in Tooth powders and liniments for beautifying the Skin and Teeth" (Avicenna)
-Sores and Ulcers of the Mouth and Tongue, a piece is held in the mouth and sucked
-the Teeth rubbed with the powder whitens them
-applied the powder on velvet to the temples to relieve Toothache (Pemell)
-in Plasters or Cataplasms for the Stomach
-tincture is applied to stop bleeding of Leech bites
-Powder was applied to dry and help fill hollow Wounds and Ulcers with flesh
-"Mastic extract and decoction of its leaves prevent Creeping Ulcers" (Avicenna)
-strengthens the joints and relieves their pain, applied topically
-applied to help heal broken bones; "it helps in setting the broken bones" (Avicenna)
-dissolved in Milk and applied to the eyes to brighten them and relieve dimness of sight
-chewed to sweeten the Breath
Comment:
The older it is, the yellower it gets.
Dose:
500mg–2 grams
Correctives:
... available in PRO version
Substitutes:
... available in PRO version
Adulterants:
Since the time of Dioscorides, it has been widely open to adulteration, usually with Frankincense and Pine resin etc.
The older it is, the yellower it gets.
Dose:
500mg–2 grams
Correctives:
... available in PRO version
Substitutes:
... available in PRO version
Adulterants:
Since the time of Dioscorides, it has been widely open to adulteration, usually with Frankincense and Pine resin etc.
Main Combinations:
1. Strengthen the Stomach:
i. Mastic with ... available in PRO version
ii. Mastic with ... available in PRO version
iii. Mastic with ... available in PRO version
2. Loss of Appetite, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
3. Strengthen the Eyes, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
4. Strengthen the Heart:
i. Mastic with ... available in PRO version
5. Palpitations, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
6. Kidney tonic and Aphrodisiac, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
7. Warm and strengthen the Kidneys, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
8. Sore Throat, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
9. Cough, Asthma from Phlegm, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
10 Asthma, with ... available in PRO version
11. To clear Damp and purge Phlegm, with ... available in PRO version
12. Leukorrhea, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
13. Excessive Menstruation:
i. Mastic with ... available in PRO version
ii. Mastic with ... available in PRO version
14. Chronic Fever, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
15. Headache from Bile and Phlegm Mastic with ... available in PRO version
16. Epilepsy, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
17. Threatened Miscarriage, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
18. To purge Melancholy, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
19. Elephantiasis, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
20. A salve to preserve from Dead Palsy and Arthritic diseases, Mastic with ... available in PRO version
21. Powder to be applied to hollow wounds (ie. to fill with flesh), Mastic with ... available in PRO version
Major Formulas:
Tincture of Mastic
Decoction of Tormentil (Gabelhover)
Pills of Mastic (Mesue)
Stomach Pills (Mesue)
Pills of Rhubarb (Greater) (Pil. de Raved Sceni) (Mesue)
Hiera Picra
Aromatic Rose Compound Lesser (Mesue)
Powder of Turbith (Avicenna)
Powder for Loss of Appetite (Nicholas)
Powder to Strengthen the Stomach (Nicolas)
Powder to Strengthen the Stomach and Digestion
Powder to Clarify the Eyes (Nicholas)
Powder of Nutmeg Compound
Powder of Polypody (Montagnana)
Pills for Migraine (2) (Galen)
Cautions:
Generally Safe.
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Oil, Oil of Mastic (made by boiling in Oil of Roses), Spirit of Mastic, Mastic Water, Pills of Mastic
Generally Safe.
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Oil, Oil of Mastic (made by boiling in Oil of Roses), Spirit of Mastic, Mastic Water, Pills of Mastic