GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Mastic
Pistacia lentiscus L. var. chia
Chemotype: alpha-pinene / beta-myrcene type
- PLANT PART
- resin (gum)
- EXTRACTION
- hydrodistillation
- AROMA NOTE
- top-mid
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 50 / 100
- Note layer
- top-mid
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 20%
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- medium
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
No phototoxic restriction was identified for distilled mastic resin oil in the sources reviewed for this pass.
Contraindications & cautions
- moderateEffects on pregnancy and breastfeeding are not established; it is not known if or how mastic could affect pregnancy, harm a fetus, or pass into breast milk, so pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a healthcare provider before use.
- moderateCross-reactive allergy risk for individuals sensitive to pistachio, cashew, mango, or other Anacardiaceae-family plants; may also interact with diabetes, blood-pressure, and cholesterol medications by amplifying their effects.
- minorThe essential oil is irritating to the skin in its pure state and should always be used well diluted, with caution on sensitive or allergy-prone skin.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This record is anchored to public literature on Chios mastic gum essential oil distilled from the resin. The directly cited public composition data show an alpha-pinene-dominant resin oil with beta-myrcene, beta-pinene, limonene, linalool, and beta-caryophyllene as the other named major markers.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| alpha-pinene | 72.1% | 72.1–72.1% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceQuantitative analysis of alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene in mastic gum oil using FT-Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030881460100382X (snippet: alpha-pinene 72.1%) |
| beta-myrcene | 16.5% | 16.5–16.5% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceQuantitative analysis of alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene in mastic gum oil using FT-Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030881460100382X (snippet: beta-myrcene 16.5%) |
| beta-pinene | 2.9% | 2.9–2.9% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceQuantitative analysis of alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene in mastic gum oil using FT-Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030881460100382X (snippet: beta-pinene 2.9%) |
| limonene | 1% | 1–1% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceQuantitative analysis of alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene in mastic gum oil using FT-Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030881460100382X (snippet: limonene 1.0%) |
| linalool | 1% | 1–1% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceQuantitative analysis of alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene in mastic gum oil using FT-Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030881460100382X (snippet: linalool 1.0%) |
| beta-caryophyllene | 1.1% | 1.1–1.1% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceQuantitative analysis of alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene in mastic gum oil using FT-Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030881460100382X (snippet: caryophyllene 1.1%) |
Profile source: Quantitative analysis of alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene in mastic gum oil using FT-Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics; Mastic Essential Oil-Pistacia lentiscus; dilution information · https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030881460100382X ; https://luminescents.net/shop/oils/all-oils/all-oils-beginning-with-m/mastic-essential-oil-pistacia-lentiscus/ ; https://www.vizu.co/dilution-information
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy for grounding, balsamic-resinous effects
- reported to support respiratory and digestive comfort in traditional Greek and Middle Eastern herbal use
- used in perfumery as a resinous, slightly piney fixative note
- traditionally associated with calming, meditative blends
- used in oral-care-adjacent traditional preparations for a fresh, clean aroma
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 3 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- max_dermal_pct 20 is taken from a public maximum-dilution table rather than a primary monograph or directly transcribed Tisserand and Young page.
- Odor intensity 50 is a normalization of publicly stated medium aroma strength rather than a native published 0-100 measurement.
- No public source reviewed in this pass provided verified tenacity-hour or volatility-rate values for resin-distilled mastic oil.