Lentisco, properties and benefits

The botanical name of the Lentisco is Pistacia Lentiscus and belongs to the Anacardiacee family. It is a bushy shrub of easy cultivation that can reach even 3 meters in height and is native to the Mediterranean basin.

The interesting feature of this plant is the exudation of an oily resin from its trunk that is used in phytotherapeutic field and defined Mastic of Chios, name deriving from the Greek island from which the original production comes, and also used in the production of chewing- gum.

Also lentisk oil has innumerable eudermic uses and for many years in Sardinia it was used for food purposes instead of olive oil.

Properties of the Lentisco

Lentisco has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties .

> Anti-inflammatory : the mastic resin is used in phytocomplexes prepared to disinfect the gastric tract from acid reflux from hiatal hernia and to protect the stomach cells.

> antiseptic : performs a disinfectant and antibacterial action, useful for oral cavity diseases. The Chia del Lentisco variety is effective against Helicobacter Pylori, inhibiting its inflammatory charge.

> eudermic : lentisk oil has soothing, balancing and regenerating properties, suitable for sensitive and dermatitis-affected skin.

> balsamic : the Chios mastic is used in aromatherapy for its balsamic and purifying effect, through fumigations.

> antioxidant : due to the presence of monoterpenes, the lentisk acts as an antioxidant and scavenger of free radicals.

Benefits of the Lentisco

Thanks to its eudermic properties, lentisk oil is suitable for particularly irritated skin affected by psoriasis and dermatitis. Activates the soothing and re-epithelialization processes. Also indicated in case of insect bites it reduces redness and itching. Also suitable for promoting healing.

Thanks to its antiseptic properties, both the oil and the essential oil are indicated for calming inflammations of the airways, mucous membranes, in case of gingivitis and mouth ulcers. Also useful for purifying the breath, it prevents the formation of dental plaque.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties the lentisk resin is used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcer in association with other natural remedies.

On the market we can find the Lentisco in the form of oil for applications and massages, in ointments, in hydroenzymatic extract for a use without toxicity, in the form of resin processed in tablets for internal use.