There is a plant that fears neither the scorching sun nor the endless song of the mistral wind. A plant that has learned to survive among Puglia’s rocks, in the salty aromas of the coast and the sun-drenched silence of arid hills: this is the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), a true child of the Mediterranean.

Originally from the eastern shores of this ancient sea, the mastic tree followed humankind along trade routes and centuries-old pilgrimages. Today, it can be found across Greece and Turkey, in Israel, North Africa, the Spanish and Portuguese coasts, and of course throughout southern and central Italy—especially in Sardinia, where it seems to grow with the pride of one who knows the wind by name. It has crossed centuries as a silent companion, resisting both time’s erosion and human hands, weaving itself discreetly and tenaciously into the landscape.

A Scientific Profile, Root-Deep
The mastic tree is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, like its more famous cousin Pistacia vera, the pistachio tree—though the two differ greatly in shape, habitat, and use. It can reach heights of up to three meters, but often stays lower, shaped by wind or grazed by ancient flocks. Its glossy, leathery, pinnate leaves speak of its survival strategy in drought-prone environments, just like its deep roots that search tirelessly for water.

Between spring and early summer, the mastic tree blooms discreetly: tiny reddish or greenish flowers, unassuming, entrusting their fate to the wind or pollinating insects. As summer progresses, fruits appear: round drupes that turn from green to red and finally black as they ripen. Few know that this modest-looking plant is actually a natural pharmacy—rich in essential oils, resins, and anti-inflammatory compounds, it continues to be studied today for its medicinal properties.

Myths, Symbols, and Tales of Resin and Roots
The mastic tree has borne witness to ancient tales, woven with both the sacred and the everyday. On the Greek island of Chios, its resin—known as mastiha—was so valuable that only a select few were allowed to harvest it. Legend says that when Saint Isidore was martyred, the mastic trees wept tears of resin in sorrow. Those very tears were later offered to the gods, used to perfume temples, and became a currency traded throughout the Mediterranean world.

In Sardinia, the mastic tree appears in pastoral tales—as shelter for shepherds or as a marker between lands. Its strong, balsamic, almost wild scent was considered a sign of protection, capable of driving away evil spirits. In parts of Puglia and Sicily, its branches were burned on sacred nights to purify the air and protect livestock.

From Ancient Medicine to Modern Fragrance
But beyond legend, the mastic tree has always served practical purposes. Its resin, still harvested by hand in parts of Greece, was chewed to freshen breath and strengthen gums—hence the word “mastic.” Its bark was used to prepare digestive infusions, while the oil extracted from its fruits, thick and fragrant, was once used for lighting, cooking, and healing wounds.

Today, the mastic tree is experiencing a renaissance: its oil is being rediscovered for cosmetic and dermatological uses; its essence features in niche perfumes, evoking sun-scorched lands and sea breezes. In the kitchen, chefs and artisans use it to flavor extra virgin olive oils and handmade liqueurs.

Thus, this small shrub that grows between stones and endures without fuss continues to offer us stories, flavors, and remedies. The mastic tree does not impose itself—but it endures, stubborn and proud, like the Mediterranean that gave it life.