Need a natural boost to improve circulation or soothe heavy legs? On Soin-et-Nature, discover our selection of Pistachio mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) essential oils, renowned for their venous, lymphatic and respiratory decongestant properties. These certified organic essences, extracted from the leafy branches of this Mediterranean shrub, are ideal for relieving varicose veins, edemas and hemorrhoids, while respecting your skin. A true concentrate of nature to care for your daily circulatory comfort.
Pistachio mastic, Pistacia lentiscus, is a small shrub of the Anacardiaceae family, which grows spontaneously on dry, rocky soils in the Mediterranean basin. It forms a dense, often impenetrable maquis on limestone hills, arid zones and garrigues, but also by the sea, where it can easily withstand salt spray. Recognizable by its dense, glossy evergreen foliage and slightly resinous scent, this discreet shrub is actually a first-rate medicinal and aromatic resource, particularly for the essential oil extracted from its leafy twigs.
Since ancient times, the mastic has been renowned above all for its resin, the famous "mastic", harvested by incising the trunk and branches. Used in Greece, Turkey, Iran and throughout the Arab-Muslim world, mastic was used as chewing gum, digestive remedy, perfume for incense, culinary ingredient and even binder for certain medicinal preparations.
The ancients used it in ritual fumigations, notably as part of the famous Egyptian kyphi, a sacred incense with multiple components. On the island of Chios, its production remains a traditional skill handed down from generation to generation. Dioscorides, Theophrastus, Pliny the Elder and Galen all mentioned it. Mastic was highly prized in Greek and Arab medicine, where it was used to purify breath and treat colic, dropsy, lung ailments and liver disorders.
Pistachio is a dioecious shrub with compound leaves, growing from 1 to 3 meters high, but reaching up to 5 meters in good conditions. Its leaves are alternate, composed of 4 to 10 entire leaflets, leathery, dark green, sometimes tinged with purple as winter approaches. Flowers are small, greenish then reddish, organized in dense clusters. Fruits are fleshy, turning bright red and then black when ripe.
It is easily distinguished from its cousins, the true pistachio (Pistacia vera) and the terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus). Unlike these two species, the lentisque keeps its foliage in winter and produces a precious resin, harvested for medicinal and aromatic purposes.
Because of its purifying properties and whitish resin, mastic was associated in Greek mythology with the goddess Artemis and the Cretan virgin Britomartis, both of whom became symbols of purity, chastity and clairvoyance. This symbolic link can also be found in the ancient practice of Hellenic girls adorning themselves with mastic twigs during certain religious festivals. This reputation as a "chaste" plant lives on in certain traditions, where mastic is offered as a token of goodwill.
Distilled from the leafy twigs, Pistachio Mastic essential oil is a complex essence, dominated by monoterpenes such as α-pinene, β-myrcene and limonene. These molecules explain the oil's fresh, resinous scent, as well as most of its therapeutic properties.
Pistachio mastic is a benchmark in veno-lymphatic decongestion. It is particularly recommended for :
Its effectiveness is such that it is often compared to Italian Helichrysum, particularly in post-trauma care or circulation disorders.
The essential oil also has a targeted antibacterial action. It inhibits germs such as :
Its α-pinene also acts synergistically with certain antibiotics, modulating microbial efflux pumps and altering the membrane integrity of resistant bacteria.
Thanks to its α-pinene and myrcene, the essential oil has an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the cascade of pro-inflammatory mediators (MAPK, NF-κB). It is also chondroprotective (preventing cartilage wear) and protective of digestive mucosa.
Its anti-ulcer effect is well documented: it promotes gastric mucus production, reinforces the antioxidant barrier and reduces local inflammation.
In vitro studies have demonstrated cytotoxic properties against human cancer lines, in particular through stimulation of NK (natural killer) cells. The essential oil could help slow the progression of certain tumors, notably colonic tumors, although its use remains complementary in a global approach for the time being.
| Indication | Use | Recommended dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy legs | Cutaneous | 1 drop in 9 drops of vegetable oil, as an upward massage morning and evening for 20 days. |
| Prostatitis | Cutaneous | 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil, massage lower abdomen 2-3 times/day |
| Phlebitis (on medical advice) | Cutaneous | Gentle local application, 2 times/day, in synergy with peppermint and helichrysum |
| Edema | Cutaneous | 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil, applied topically 2-3 times/day. |
Pistachio mastic essential oil is for external use only.
Pistachio mastic is much more than just a Mediterranean shrub. Its essential oil, long unknown to the general public, offers powerful therapeutic benefits for circulatory, inflammatory and digestive disorders. A real gem of aromatic phytotherapy, it deserves its place in any aromatherapy kit dedicated to veno-lymphatic problems. However, its potency requires enlightened use, always accompanied by the advice of a health professional.
Often associated with Helichrysum or Cypress in specialized treatments, Pistachio Mastic essential oil is now a precious ally in a natural, preventive approach to circulatory and cutaneous well-being.
The Soin-et-NatureEssential Oils Index features an expert selection of single essential oils, classified by plant of origin and botanical name. Each reference presented identifies its therapeutic properties, clinical indications and associated precautions for use. Used as a genuine orientation tool, this index facilitates access to rigorous, safe and personalized aromatherapy.
The Soin-et-Nature Essential Oils Index is a comprehensive, reliable resource for all users, professional or private, wishing to begin or deepen their aromatherapy practice. It provides direct access to precise, validated information based on the recognized clinical uses of essential oils.
