Botanical Name: Pistacia lentiscus
Family: Anacardiaceae
Introduction:
Latin name: Pistacia = based on the Arabic name Foustag: lentiscus = mastich tree . gum or resin exuding from bark
English name : Mastich.
Scientific classification: Mastic trees are members of the family Anacardiaceae. The common mastic tree is classified as Pistacialentiscus, and the Peruvian mastic tree is classified as Schinus molle.
Names in different Indian languages
| English | pista |
|---|---|
| Hindi | pista |
| Kannada | pista |
| Malayalam | pista |
| Sanskrit | RUMAMASTAKI |
| Tamil | pista |
| Telugu | pista |
| Unani | |
| Folk |
Synonyms
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
| Charaka | |
|---|---|
| Susrutha | |
| Vagbhata |
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
and the Peruvian mastic tree is classified as Schinus molle.
Synonyms: Rumimastagi, Mastagi, Alakrumi. Kundarrumi.
Botanical Description: A shrub which remains green perennially. Multiple incisions on the bark exude resin called and marketed as rumamastalti. Resin is white or yellow in colour, scented, in the form of round granules and slightly sweet to taste. Because of its stickiness, it is collected in a cloth. kept in water for some time, dried and then powdered.
Habitat: It is found along the Mediterranean coast i.e. Southern part of Europe and Northern Africa. It is transported to India through Iran and Afghanistan.
Chemical composition: Masticic acid – 90% and masticin – 10%.
Properties:
Guna: laghu. ruksha;
Rasa: madhur, kashaya;
Vipaka: madhur;
Virya: ushna;
Dosha:vatapittashamak, kaphanissarak.
External use: It is used in oedema, for enhancing complexion and in bad breath. Keeping the powder of rumamastaki in mouth strengthens the gums and relieves bad breath. it is applied on the chest in pleuritis. It is used in loss of appetite, liver. disorders, duo bronchitis, asthma, dysuria and .dysmenorrhoea.
Dose: Resin – 1 to 3 gins.
Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Vataghna, pittaghna, kaphanissarak.
Dhatu: Rakta (Iiver,skin).
Mala:Mutra (dysuria), intestine.
Organ: Digestive and respiratory systems and uterus.
