Gum Mastic

Gum Mastich

British Pharmacopoeia 1867

Mastich Mastiche

“A resinous exudation obtained by incision from the stem of Pistacia Lentiscus… produced in the island of Scio.” (206)

Characteristics

“Small irregular yellowish tears, brittle, becoming soft and ductile when chewed, having a fait agreeable odour.”

A Compendium of Domestic Medicine, 1865

All page numbers are recorded as (PDF #/SOURCE #)

Used to fill cavities in decayed teeth, although Savory indicates that its main function is in the making of varnishes. A compound tincture of matich can be used to make a mouth wash. Savory notes that it is commonly used by Turkish and Arminian women as a “masticatory for cleaning teeth, emulging the salivary glands, and imparting an agreeable odor to the teeth.” (97/76)

Remedies Containing or to be used with Gum Mastich

• Gum Mastiche (97/76): see description

Diseases Treated with Gum Mastich

General Diseases

• Toothache (278/257): gum mastich is included in a lotion that is to be applied to a hollow or decayed tooth that is causing pain.

Imported from

• Turkey Proper
• Egypt
• France
• Philippine Islands
• Bombay and Scinde