Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Mastic Tree

From the mastic tree, Pistachio Mastic essential oil is traditionally renowned for its decongestant and circulatory properties. Pistachio Mastic essential oil is therefore recommended for improving circulatory health and restoring a feeling of light legs.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Appropriate

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Possible but not recommended

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Appropriate

Features

Properties and uses

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Leaves, twigs and branches

Botanical name

Pistacia lentiscus

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties and uses

Mastic tree essential oil is traditionally used for : Couperose, rosacea, bedsores, haemorrhoids and heavy legs, varicose veins, etc.

Health

Find out more, etc.

Properties

In the field of health, mastic tree essential oil is recognised for its properties:

  • Venous decongestant

  • Lymphatic decongestant

  • Prostatic decongestant

  • Antispasmodic

Uses

It is traditionally used to improve the following conditions:

  • Varicose veins and heavy legs

  • Venous congestion and stasis

  • External and internal haemorrhoids

  • Difficult healing, bedsores, bed sores

  • Prostatitis, prostatic congestions and adenomas

  • Aerophagia, aerocolia, gastric ulcers, spasmodic colitis

  • Sinusitis (decongestant)

Synergies

Tonic, light legs: Niaouli, helichrysum and Cypress essential oils.

In practice

Tonic, light legs: Mix with your oil blend. Massage or rub the mixture into the area concerned.

Precautions

  • Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or on children under 6 years of age.

  • Irritating to the skin in its pure state; always use well diluted on the skin. Use with caution on sensitive or allergic skin, as skin reactions may occur.

  • Only for internal use on therapeutic advice.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Avoid contact with the eyes.

  • Certain natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present an allergy risk for certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (in accordance with the 7th Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive (2003/15/EC)): limonene, linalool.

  • As a general rule, always carry out a test application of your mixture, in the crease of the elbow, at least 48 hours before use.

  • For use as a cosmetic ingredient, please refer to the specific precautions.

Find out more

The mastic tree is a shrub commonly found in arid areas of the Mediterranean region (Asia, Europe, Africa). Its resin is known as "mastic" . It is used in dentistry as a glue, and in thefood industry to make masticatories.

Inancient times, this gum was used as chewing gum! Pistachio Mastic is also used in the photographic industry.

Its essential oil has anintense, botanical scent and is traditionally used for its tonic and drainage-enhancing properties.

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Redness from acne (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Daucus carota essential oil (carrot): 0.5 ml

  • Helichrysum italicum essential oil: 0.2 ml

  • Pistacia lentiscus essential oil (mastic tree): 0.2 ml

  • Tanacetum annuum essential oil (blue tansy): 0.1 ml

  • Cistus ladaniferus CT pinene essential oil (gum rockrose): 0.2 ml

  • Calendula officinalis OV (marigold): 3 ml

  • Transcutol: add up to 15 ml extra for blend consistency

Use: 1 application morning and evening until clear improvement.

Aroma-Zone comment: Transcutol is a pharmaceutical blend that is not widely used and allows fats such as essential oils to penetrate the skin easily. It can easily be replaced by a dry carrier oil such as hazelnut, kukui or macadamia oil.

Rosacea (C. Clergeaud)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Calophyllum inophyllum carrier oil: 40 ml

  • Rose hip carrier oil: 40 ml

  • Calendula oil: 20 ml

  • Mastic tree essential oil: 4 drops

  • Rosewood or chamomile essential oil: 4 drops

  • Helichrysum italicum essential oil: 6 drops

Directions: Mix all the ingredients

Use: Apply gently morning and evening to the affected areas.

Pressure sores and other bed sores (under medical supervision) (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Helichrysum italicum essential oil: 3 ml

  • Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Cistus ladaniferus CT pinene (gum rockrose) essential oil: 3 ml

  • Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree) essential oil: 3 ml

  • Laurus nobilis (bay laurel) essential oil: 3 ml

  • Commiphora molmol (myrrh) essential oil: 5 ml

  • Tanacetum annuum (blue tansy) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Lavandula spica (spike lavender) essential oil: 10 ml

  • Argan carrier oil: 50 ml

  • Evening primrose carrier oil: 50 ml

  • Thyme or chestnut honey: 100 g

  • Green clay: 570 g

  • Wheatgerm carrier oil: between 180 and 250 ml to obtain a paste of the ideal consistency

Use: 1 topical application morning and evening, cover with an occlusive dressing

Before each new application, cleanse to remove any remnants of the previous application. Keep the mixture in a cool place (fridge door)

.

External haemorrhoids (P. Franchomme)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Pistacia lentiscus essential oil (mastic tree): 1 ml

  • Melaleuca quinquenervia CT Cineole essential oil (Niaouli): 4 ml

  • Cupressus sempervirens essential oil (Mediterranean cypress): 4 ml

  • Calophyllum Inophylum oil (Calophylla): 4 ml

  • Gel: make up to 60 ml

Use: 3 applications per day in situ for 3 to 7 days.

Heavy legs in adults (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Cupressus sempervirens (Mediterranean cypress) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Helichrysum italicum essential oil: 2 ml

  • Cedrus deodora (Himalayan cedar) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Juniperus virginiana (Eastern red cedar) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree) essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Laurus noblis (bay laurel) essential oil : 1 ml

  • Lavandula super (Lavandin super) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Mentha x piperita (peppermint) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Transcutol or neutral gel: add up to 100 ml extra as required for product optimisation

Use: 1 to 2 local applications, massaging lightly until the skin is completely improved Aroma-Zone comments: Transcutol is a pharmaceutical product that is not widely used. It allows fatty substances such as essential oils to penetrate the skin easily. It can easily be replaced by a dry carrier oil such as hazelnut, kukui or macadamia oil.

Varicose veins (on medical advice) (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Cypress essential oil : 2 drops

  • Niaouli essential oil: 2 drops

  • Peppermint essential oil: 1 drop

  • Juniper essential oil: 2 drops

  • Mastic tree: 1 drop

  • Patchouli essential oil: 1 drop

  • Calophylla oil: 1 teaspoon

Use: Massage into the legs morning and evening, working upwards from the ankles.

Varicose eczema (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Mentha piperita (Peppermint) essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic tree) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Eucalyptus citriodora (Lemon eucalyptus) essential oil: 4 ml

  • Cupressus sempervirens (Mediterranean cypress) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Laurus nobilis (Bay laurel) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Thymus vulgaris, thujanol chemotype essential oil (can be replaced by thujanol Marjoram essential oil): 2 ml

  • Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) essential oil: 4 ml

  • Calophyllum Inophylum (Calophylla) carrier oil: 10 ml

  • Triticum vulgare (Wheat germ) carrier oil: Top up to 100 ml

Use: If accompanied by itching, add 0.5 ml Tanacetum annuum (Annual tansy). Apply 2 to 3 times a day locally to the eczema in addition to taking tamanu oil orally.

Varicose veins (on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Peppermint essential oil: 2 ml

  • Mediterranean cypress essential oil: 2 ml

  • mastic tree: 1 ml

  • Helichrysum italicum (helichrysum): 1 ml

  • Vetiver essential oil: 1 ml

  • Calophylla inophylla OIL: 3 ml

Use : 4 to 6 drops of the mixture applied locally to the area 3 times a day until symptoms disappear.

Treatment for varicose veins (on medical advice) (C. Lacroix)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • 40 drops Mediterranean cypress essential oil

  • 30 drops celery essential oil

  • 20 drops of Cistus ladanifera essential oil

  • 30 drops true lavender essential oil

  • 20 drops Helichrysum italicum essential oil

  • 40 drops mastic tree essential oil

  • 40 drops patchouli essential oil

  • 10 ml argan oil

  • 10 ml St John's wort macerated oil

  • 5 ml castor oil

  • 50 ml tamanu carrier oil

Directions: Mix the carrier oils and essential oils, then add the temanu carrier oil.

Use: Apply a small amount to the hands, then spread over the legs, once a day at bedtime, starting at the ankle and working up towards the knee, applying gentle pressure. Repeat this gentle massage 6 times without adding any lotion. Apply the same treatment to the other leg. Aroma-Zone note: The macerated oil presents a risk of photosensitisation. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this product.

"Calm innards" lotion (haemorrhoids and anal fissures) (C. Lacroix)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • 20 drops Cistus ladanifera essential oil

  • 20 drops patchouli essential oil

  • 20 drops mastic tree essential oil

  • 10 drops Mediterranean cypress essential oil

  • 20 drops true lavender essential oil

  • 2 ml St John's wort macerated oil

  • 5 ml tamanu carrier oil

  • 15 ml wheatgerm carrier oil

Directions: Mix the essential oils and oils, then add the wheatgerm carrier oil.

Use: Pour a few drops on your index finger and apply to the affected area 3 times a day and after each bowel movement, until you feel a sensation of well-being.

Varicose veins (on medical advice) (P. Franchomme)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Pistacia lentiscus essential oil (Mastic tree): 1 ml

  • Helichrysum italicum essential oil (Immortelle): 1 ml

  • Melaleuca quinquenervia CT cineole essential oil (Niaouli): 2 ml

  • Cupressus sempervirens essential oil (Mediterranean Cypress): 3 ml

  • Calophyllum Inophylum oil (tamanu): 5 ml

  • Gel: 100 g

Directions for use: 2 to 3 applications per day on the affected area for 20 days.

Heat rash - prickly heat (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Helichrysum essential oil: 1 ml

  • Mastic Tree essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Atlas Cedar essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Blue Tansy essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Peppermint essential oil: 2 ml

  • Talc: 50 g

  • Green clay: 50 g

Directions: Mix all the ingredients in a container.

Cyanosis (in addition to treatment) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Helichrysum italicum (helichrysum) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Thujanol CT Thyme essential oil (can be replaced by Thujanol Marjoram essential oil): 2 ml

  • Mediterranean cypress essential oil: 2 ml

  • mastic tree: 1 ml

  • Calophylla inophylla oil: 2 ml

Directions for use : 2 to 3 drops of the mixture applied topically 2 to 3 times a day until a clear improvement is seen.

Raynaud's syndrome - cold extremities (primary form) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Helichrysum italicum (helichrysum) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Thujanol CT Thyme essential oil (can be replaced by Thujanol Marjoram essential oil): 1 ml

  • Mastic tree: 1 ml

  • Tarragon essential oil: 1 ml

  • Mandarin essential oil: 2 ml

Use: A few drops of the mixture applied to the skin 2 to 3 times a day as required Note Aroma-Zone: Mandarin essential oil is photosensitising, so do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this mixture.

Bone fracture (in addition to medical treatment) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingBlows and trauma

  • Mastic tree essential oil: 2 ml

  • Immortelle essential oil: 3 ml

  • American wintergreen essential oil: 1 ml

Use: 3 drops of the mixture applied locally as close as possible to the fracture 2 to 3 times a day for 10 days.

Angiomas (wine stains) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Celery essential oil: 1 ml

  • Helichrysum italicum essential oil: 1 ml

  • Mastic tree essential oil: 1 ml

  • Virginian juniper essential oil: 1 ml

  • Mediterranean cypress essential oil: 1 ml

  • Rose hip oil: 2 ml

  • St John's wort carrier oil: add up to 3 ml extra as required for product optimisation

Use: 3 topical applications a day until marked improvement, in addition to a circulatory treatment Aroma-Zone note: Celery essential oil and St John's wort macerated oil carry a risk of photosensitivity. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this mixture.

Water retention - cellulite (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingHormonal and metabolic disorders

  • Lemon essential oil: 0.3 ml

  • Eastern red cedar essential oil: 0.6 ml

  • Mastic essential oil: 0.3 ml

  • Vetiver essential oil: 0.3 ml

  • helichrysum essential oil: 0.3 ml

  • Niaouli essential oil : 0.6 ml

  • wild mint essential oil: 0.3 ml

  • St John's wort oil: 20 ml

  • apricot kernel oil: 50 ml or more

Use: 1 local application (8 to 10 drops) twice a day, starting at the ankles and working up towards the thighs Note Aroma-Zone: St John's wort macerated oil may cause photosensitivity. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this preparation.

Heavy legs, varicose veins, venous stasis (on medical advice) (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Cupressus sempervirens essential oil (Mediterranean cypress): 2 ml

  • Melaleuca quinquenervia CT cineole essential oil (cineole niaouli)): 2 ml

  • Pistacia lentiscus essential oil (mastic tree): 1 ml

  • Cistus ladaniferus essential oil (Cistus): 1 ml

  • Mentha x piperita essential oil (Peppermint): 1.5 ml

  • Calophyllum inophyllum oil: 5 ml

  • Carbopol gel: 100 ml

Use: 1 dab of gel on each limb 2 to 3 times a day, starting from the bottom (ankles) and working upwards (thighs) Aroma-Zone Comment: Carbopol gel is a neutral aquous gel with synthetic polymers that can be bought in chemists. It can easily be replaced by Aloe vera gel or a neutral aqueous gel made from a natural gum, water and a preservative.

Bibliography

1

'Huiles essentielles - 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapeutiques pour une médecine d'avenir'

Dominique Baudoux

2

Aromatherapy

Dr Jean Valnet - Éditions Maloine

3

"L'Aromathérapie exactement"

P. Franchomme and Dr D. Pénoël

4

'La Bible de l'aromathérapie'

Nerys Purchon

5

"ABC des huiles essentielles"

Dr Telphon

6

Aromatherapy

Nelly Grosjean

7

'Les huiles essentielles pour votre santé'

G. Roulier

8

'Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Pédiatrie'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

9

Aroma-News newsletters

The NARD association

10

'Aromatherapy - Healing with essential oils'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris