Medicinal use of Pistacia lentiscus fixed oil in Constantine province, north-east Algeria

Since ancient times, products from mastic tree, Pistacia lentiscus L., are known as part of the traditional pharmacopoeia of several Mediterranean countries. In the aim to know the different uses of this shrub in local traditional medicine of Constantine province (north east Algeria) a survey was conducted among herbalists and pharmacists of the region. The most widely used product of this shrub is its fixed oil (fatty oil) extracted from the fruits; the plants leaves are rarely used; while its gum and essential oil are practically unused. Leaves are used to relief throat sore and stomach aches, they are also considered to have hypoglycaemic and hypotensive properties. Mastic fixed oil is prescribed for two major indications: as a topical application, it is used in the treatment of skin conditions especially wounds and burns. And orally to treat respiratory problems such as: sore throat, bronchitis, allergies, and asthma. Other less common uses of this oil include the treatment of arthralgia, haemorrhoids, jaundice and gastrointestinal disorders. With the exception of Algeria and Tunisia, the medicinal use of this oil seems uncommon in other Mediterranean regions; furthermore most of scientific studies conducted on Pistacia lentiscus products concerned the therapeutic properties of its gum and leaves, or their essential oils but not the fixed oil. In recent years, the traditional wound healing effect of this oil was investigated and proved by local researchers; however its other claimed therapeutic properties are still unproven at least by scientific research.