A concrete resinous exudation from Pistacia Lentiscus Linne (nat. ord. Anacardieae).

Habitat

Mediterranean basin.

Characters

Globular or elongated tears, of about the size of a pea, sometimes covered with a whitish dust, pale yellow, transparent, having a glass-like lustre and an opalescent refraction; brittle; becoming plastic when chewed; of a weak, somewhat balsamic, resinous odor, and a mild terebin-thinate taste.

Solubility

Completely in Ether, and, for the most part, soluble in Alcohol. Resembling Mastic. - Acacia, which is larger, rougher, and more opaque.

Composition

The chief constituents are - (1) A resin, C20H32O2, Mas-tichic Acid, 90 per cent.; soluble in Alcohol. (2) Masticin, a resin, insoluble in Alcohol. (3) Volatile oil, C10H16, 1 to 2 per cent.

Impurity. - Sandarac.

Preparation

Pilulae Aloes et Mastiches. - See Aloes, p. 498.

Action And Uses Of Mastic

Mastic is a mild stimulant, mostly used as a masticatory, for filling decayed teeth, and for cements and varnishes.