Lentisk is everywhere in the Corsican maquis, yet few people know it. It is a discreet shrub with a powerful scent: crush a single leaf and you will recognise it.
A cousin of the pistachio tree
Lentisk, Pistacia lentiscus, belongs to the same family as the pistachio tree. It is a dense evergreen shrub, with leaves made of small, glossy, dark green leaflets.
In spring, it bears tiny reddish flowers. In autumn, they give way to clusters of small berries, red at first, then black when ripe.
The mastic tree
Lentisk is also called the mastic tree. When its bark is cut, it releases a fragrant resin, mastic. The best known comes from the Greek island of Chios, where a particular variety of lentisk is grown for this resin.
In our products, we do not use the resin: we use its leaves, distilled for the essential oil and the floral water.
Lentisk in our products
- Organic lentisk essential oil, 5 ml.
- Eau de Jouvence, which blends the floral waters of Immortelle, myrtle and lentisk.
- The Super Serum, whose formula contains lentisk essential oil.
Using lentisk essential oil well
An essential oil is pure and highly concentrated: never apply it undiluted to the skin. Dilute 1 to 2 drops in a teaspoon of vegetable oil, such as our Immortelle oil, before applying to the chosen area. Do a skin test in the crook of the elbow 48 hours before first use. It can also be used in a diffuser: a few drops, in a well-ventilated room, away from children.
Label precautions: for external use only, avoid contact with eyes, keep out of reach of children, stop using if irritation occurs. All our guidance is gathered in our precautions for use.
Frequently asked questions
Is its scent strong?
Yes: green, resinous and slightly peppery. One or two drops are enough, always diluted.
Does lentisk produce pistachios?
No. Its berries are very small and are not eaten like pistachios.
To discover the other plants of the maquis: The plants of the Corsican maquis.
