Mastic
Mastic (medicine)
Mastic (/ˈmæstɪk/; from Greek: μαστίχα) is a resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). In pharmacies and nature shops, it is called "Arabic gum" (not to be confused with gum arabic) and "Yemen gum". In Greece, it is known as "tears of Chios," being traditionally produced on that Greek island, and, like other natural resins, is produced in "tears" or droplets.
Etymology
The word mastic is derived from the Greek verb, μαστιχειν "to gnash the teeth", which is the source of the English word masticate. The word mastic is a synonym for gum in many languages.
Uses
Mastic has been used as a medicine since antiquity and is still used in traditional folk medicine of the Middle East. In ancient Greece, it was given as a remedy for snakebite. The first-century Greek physician Dioscorides mentioned the healing properties of mastic in his book De Materia Medica. Hippocrates wrote that the mastic is good for prevention of digestive problems and colds, and Galenus suggested that mastic was useful for bronchitis and improving the condition of the blood.
Related Terms
- Pistacia lentiscus: The mastic tree, a species of evergreen shrub in the family Anacardiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region.
- Gum arabic: A gum that is exuded from the acacia tree, different from mastic.
- Dioscorides: A first-century Greek physician who wrote about the medicinal properties of mastic.
- Masticate: To chew, from the same Greek root as mastic.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mastic
- Wikipedia's article - Mastic
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