Mastic
60840
223391255
2008-07-03T21:45:03Z
79.131.27.106
{{Otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Mastic
| image = Pistacia lentiscus.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Mastic foliage and flowers
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Anacardiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Pistacia]]''
| species = '''''P. lentiscus'''''
| binomial = ''Pistacia lentiscus''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''Mastic''' (''Pistacia lentiscus'') is an [[evergreen]] [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] of the [[Pistacia|Pistacio]] family growing up to {{convert|4|m|lk=on|abbr=on}} tall, which is [[cultivate]]d for its [[aroma]]tic [[resin]] mainly on the [[Greece|Greek]] island of [[Chios]],<ref>[http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/Mansfeld/Taxonomy/datenvoll.afp?module=mf&source=botnam&taxid=28380&akzanz=0&rehm=0 Pistacia lentiscus L.] at [http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/Mansfeld/ Mansfeld's Database Taxonomy]</ref>. It is native throughout the [[Mediterranean region]], from [[Morocco]] and [[Iberian peninsula|Iberia]] in the west through southern [[France]] and [[Turkey]] to [[Syria]] and [[Israel]] / [[Palestine]] in the east; it is also native on the [[Canary Islands]].<ref>[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?28647 ''Pistacia lentiscus'' distribution] at [[Germplasm Resources Information Network]]</ref> The word mastic derives either from a [[Phoenician language|Phoenician]] word or from the [[Greek language|Greek]] [[verb]] ''mastichein'' ("to gnash the teeth", origin of the English word [[Mastication|masticate]]) or ''massein'' ("to chew").<ref name="e-xios">[http://www.e-xios.gr/chios/4/41.html Mastic] at [http://www.e-xios.gr e-xios.gr Chios Portal]</ref>
For reasons that are not entirely understood, only the trees in the southern part of the island of Chios produce the distinctively flavoured resin. The island's mastic production is controlled by a [[co-operative]] of [[medieval]] [[village]]s, collectively known as the 'Mastichochoria', which are also located in the southern part of Chios.
Within the [[European Union]], Mastic spice production in Chios is granted [[protected designation of origin]] (PDO) and a [[protected designation of origin|protected geographical indication]] (PGI) name.<ref>[http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/qual/en/431_en.htm EU PDO/PGI registration]</ref>
==Resin==
The aromatic, [[ivory]] coloured resin, also known as mastic (or mastix), is harvested as a [[spice]] from the cultivated mastic trees grown in the south of the Greek island of Chios in the [[Aegean Sea]], where it is also known by the name "Chios Tears". Originally [[liquid]], it is sun dried into drops of hard, brittle, [[translucent]] resin. When chewed, the resin softens and becomes a bright white and [[Opacity (optics)|opaque]] [[Chewing gum|gum]].
===Cultivation history===
The resin is collected by bleeding the trees from small cuts made in the [[bark]] of the main branches, and allowing the [[sap]] to drip onto the specially prepared ground below. The [[harvest]]ing is done during the summer months between June and September. After the mastic is collected it is washed manually and spread in the sun to dry.
[[Image:Pistacia lentiscus_sp.jpg|left|thumb|Mastic shrub]]
Mastic resin is a relatively expensive kind of spice, that has been used, principally, as a chewing gum, for at least 2,400 years<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2002_23_fri_04.shtml BBC - Radio 4 - Woman's Hour -Mastic<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The flavour can be described as a strong slightly smoky, resiny aroma and can be an [[acquired taste]].
Some scholars identify the ''bakha'' בכא mentioned in the [[Bible]] - as in the [[Valley of Baca]] (Hebrew עמק הבכא) of Psalm 84 - with the mastic plant. The word ''bakha'' appears to be derived from the Hebrew word for crying or weeping, and is thought to refer to the "tears" of resin secreted by the mastic plant, along with a sad weeping noise, that occur when the plant is walked on and branches are broken. The Valley of Baca is thought to be a valley near [[Jerusalem]] that was covered with low mastic shrubbery, much like some hillsides in northern [[Israel]] today. In an additional biblical reference, [[King David]] receives divine counsel to place himself opposite the [[Philistines]] coming up the [[Valley of Rephaim]], southwest of [[Jerusalem]], such that the sound of the "sound of walking on the tops of the ''bakha'' shrubs" (Hebrew קול צעדה בראשי הבכאים) signals the moment to attack. (II Samuel V: 22-24)
Mastic is known to have been popular in [[Roman times]] when children chewed it, and in Medieval times it was highly prized for the [[Sultan]]'s [[harem]] both as a breath freshener and for [[cosmetics]]. It was the Sultan's privilege to chew mastic, and it was considered to have healing properties. The spice's use was widened when Chios became part of the [[Ottoman Empire]], and it remains popular in [[North Africa]] and the [[Near East]].
Within the [[European Union]], Chios Mastic production is granted [[protected designation of origin]] (PDO) and a [[protected designation of origin|protected geographical indication]] (PGI) name.<ref>[http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/qual/en/431_en.htm EU PDO/PGI registration]</ref> The 'Mastichohoria' (mastic-producing villages) are located in the southern part of Chios.
===Culinary uses===
Mastic gum is principally used either as a [[flavouring]] or for its gum properties, as in mastic chewing gum.
As a spice, it continues to be used in Greece to flavour spirits and [[liquor]]s (such as Chios's native drinks of [[Mastichato]] & [[mastica]]), [[chewing gum]] and a number of cakes, pastries, [[spoon sweets]] and desserts. Mastic resin is a key ingredient in [[Dondurma]] ([[Turkish cuisine|Turkish]] [[ice cream]]), and Turkish [[pudding]]s granting those [[confection]]s its unusual [[Mouthfeel|texture]] and bright whiteness. In [[Lebanon]] and [[Egypt]], the spice is used to flavour many [[sauce]]s, ranging from [[soup]]s to [[meat]]s to [[dessert]]s, while in [[Morocco]] [[smoke]] from the resin is used to flavour water. Recently, a Mastic flavoured [[fizzy drink]] has also been launched.
As well as its [[culinary]] uses, Mastic continues to be used for its gum and [[medicinal]] properties. The resin is used as a primary ingredient in the production of cosmetics such as [[toothpaste]], [[lotion]]s for the hair and skin, and [[perfume]]s.
[[Image:mastic.jpg|left|thumb|Mastic resin]]
===Medicinal uses===
Mastic resin is also chewed as a gum to soothe the stomach. People in the [[Mediterranean region]] have used mastic as a medicine for [[gastrointestinal]] ailments for several thousand years. The [[first century]] [[Greeks|Greek]] [[physician]] and [[botanist]], [[Dioscorides]], wrote about the [[medicinal properties]] of mastic in his classic treatise ''De Materia Medica'' ("About Medical Substances"). Some centuries later Markellos Empeirikos and Pavlos Eginitis<ref name="e-xios"/> also noticed the effect of mastic on the [[digestive system]].
In ancient Jewish [[halachic]] sources, it is indicated that chewing mastic was a treatment for [[bad breath]]. "Mastic is not chewed on [[shabbat]]. When (is it permissible to chew mastic on shabbat)? When the intention is medicinal. If it is against a bad odor, it is permissible." (תוספתא שבת פי"ב (יג) ח, כי"ע)
In recent years, university researchers have provided the scientific evidence for the medicinal properties of mastic. A 1985 study by the [[University of Thessaloniki]] and by the [[Meikai University]] discovered that mastic can reduce [[bacteria]]l [[dental plaque|plaque]] in the mouth by 41.5 percent. A 1998 study by the [[University of Athens]] found that mastic oil has [[antibacterial]] and [[anti-fungal]] properties. Another 1998 [http://www.renewalresearch.com/articles.php/57 University of Nottingham] study, published in the ''New England Journal of Medicine'', claims that mastic can heal [[peptic ulcer]]s by killing ''[[Helicobacter pylori]]'', which causes [[peptic ulcer]]s, [[gastritis]], and [[duodenitis]]. Some ''in vivo'' studies have shown that mastic gum has no effect on ''Helicobacter pylori'' when taken for short periods of time<ref>[http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/51/2/367 Monotherapy with mastic does not eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection from mice] by Michael F. Loughlin, Dlawer A. Ala’Aldeen, and Peter J. Jenks</ref><ref>[http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/52/3/522 Mastic gum has no effect on Helicobacter pylori load in vivo] by James R. Bebb, Nathalie Bailey-Flitter1, Dlawer Ala’Aldeen and John C. Atherton</ref>. However a recent and more extensive study showed that mastic gum reduced ''Helicobacter pylori'' populations after an insoluble and sticky polymer (poly-ß-myrcene) constituent of mastic gum was removed and taken for a longer period of time. Further analysis showed the acid fraction was the most active antibacterial extract, and the most active pure compound was isomasticadienolic acid.<ref>[http://aac.asm.org/cgi/content/full/51/2/551 In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of Chios Mastic Gum Extracts and Constituents against Helicobacter pylori] by Sotirios Paraschos, Prokopios Magiatis, Sofia Mitakou, Kalliopi Petraki, Antonios Kalliaropoulos, Petros Maragkoudakis, Andreas Mentis, Dionyssios Sgouras, and Alexios-Leandros Skaltsounis</ref>.
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It is from the resin of the mastic tree that a balm was created for use by physicians in [[Biblical]] times. [[Slavery in the United States|American slaves]] took the reference in [[Jeremiah]] 8:22 to the [[basalm of Mecca|balm of Gilead]] to refer to [[Jesus Christ]] in the spiritual hymn, ''[[There is a Balm in Gilead]]''.
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===Other uses===
Apart from its medicinal properties, cosmetics and culinary uses, Mastic gum is also used in the production of high grade [[varnish]].
The Mastic tree has been introduced into [[Mexico]] as an [[ornamental plant]], where it is very prized and fully [[Naturalisation (biology)|naturalized]]. The trees are grown mainly in [[suburban]] areas in [[semi-arid]] zones and remain undamaged although the regime of summer rainfall is contrary to its original [[Mediterranean climate]].
==See also==
{{Commons|Pistacia lentiscus}}
* [[Greek cuisine]]
* [[Greek food products]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
*[http://www.renewalresearch.com/articles.php/57 Mastic Gum Kills Helicobacter pylori] by Farhad U. Huwez, Debbie Thirlwell, Alan Cockayne, Dlawer A.A. Aladeen
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12747455&dopt=Abstract a pilot study on antiplaque effects of mastic chewing gum in the oral cavity] K. Takahashi, M. Fukazawa, H. Motohira, K. Ochiai, H. Nishikawa, T. Miyata, ''J. Periodontol.'' 74(4):501-5, Apr 2003.
*[http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?id=1902 Could Mastic Help Prevent Alzheimer's?] by Will Block, Life Enhancement Magazine
{{refend}}
==External links==
*[http://www.gummastic.gr/ Chios mastic Growers Association] (in [[Greek language|Greek]])
[[Category:Gums]]
[[Category:Greek cuisine]]
[[Category:Chios]]
[[Category:Resins]]
[[Category:Pistacia]]
[[Category:Spices]]
[[Category:Flora of Spain]]
[[Category:Trees of Spain]]
[[Category:Trees of Mediterranean climate]]
[[Category:Drought tolerant trees]]
[[Category:Ornamental trees]]
[[ca:Llentiscle]]
[[co:Listincu]]
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[[es:Pistacia lentiscus]]
[[eo:Lentisko]]
[[fr:Pistachier lentisque]]
[[it:Pistacia lentiscus]]
[[ku:Benîştek]]
[[he:אלת המסטיק]]
[[lt:Mastika]]
[[nl:Mastiekboom]]
[[ja:マスティック・ガム]]
[[no:Mastik]]
[[pl:Mastyks]]
[[sk:Mastix]]
[[fi:Mastiksipistaasi]]
[[sv:Mastixbuske]]
[[vi:Nhũ hương]]
[[tr:Sakız ağacı]]