Schinus molle Health Dictionary

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Schinus Molle: From 1 Different Sources

Schinus molle

FAMILY: Anacardiaceae

SYNONYMS: Peruvian pepper, Peruvian mastic, Californian pepper tree.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A tropical evergreen tree up to 20 metres high with graceful, drooping branches, feathery foliage and fragrant yellow flowers. The berries or fruit have an aromatic, peppery flavour.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to South America; found growing wild in Mexico, Peru, Guatemala and other tropical regions, including California. It has been introduced into North and South Africa and the Mediterranean region. The fruits are collected for essential oil production in Spain, Guatemala and Mexico.

OTHER SPECIES: Closely related to the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus) – see entry on mastic.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: In Greece and other Mediterranean countries an intoxicating beverage is made from the fruits of the tree. The fruit is also used as a substitute for black pepper in the growing areas. During World War II, the oil of black pepper was unavailable and was consequently replaced by schinus molle.

ACTIONS: Antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, stimulant, stomachic.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the fruit or berries. (An oil from the leaves is also produced in small quantities.)

CHARACTERISTICS: A pale green or olive, oily liquid with a warm, woody-peppery scent with a smoky undertone. It blends well with oakmoss, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper and eucalyptus.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly phellandrene, also caryophyllene, pinene and carvacrol.

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, nonsensitizing.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE See black pepper.

OTHER USES: Used as a substitute for black pepper in perfumery and flavouring work.

Health Source: The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils
Author: Julia Lawless

Molly

(Irish) Form of Mary, meaning “star of the sea / from the sea of bitterness” Moll, Mollee, Molley, Molli, Mollie, Molle, Mollea... molly

Mastic

Pistacia lentiscus

FAMILY: Anacardiaceae

SYNONYMS: Mastick tree, mastick, mastix, mastich, lentisk.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A small bushy tree or shrub up to 3 metres high, which produces a natural oleoresin from the trunk. Incisions are made in the bark in order to collect the liquid oleoresin, which then hardens into brittle peasized lumps.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to the Mediterranean region (France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey) and also found in North Africa. Most mastic is produced on the Greek Island of Chios; some is also produced in Algeria, Morocco and the Canary Islands.

OTHER SPECIES: It belongs to the same family as Peruvian pepper or Peruvian mastic (Schinus molle). Mastic resembles the resin ‘sanderach’ but unlike the latter it can be chewed, rather than turning to powder.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: In the East it is used for the manufacture of sweets and cordials; it is still used medicinally for diarrhoea in children and is chewed to sweeten the breath. The oil was used in the West in a similar way to turpentine – ‘It has many of the properties of coniferous turpentines and was formerly greatly used in medicine.’.

ACTIONS: Antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant.

EXTRACTION: 1. A resinoid is produced by solvent extraction from the oleoresin, and 2. an essential oil is produced by steam distillation from the oleoresin or occasionally directly from the leaves and branches.

CHARACTERISTICS: 1. A pale amber or greenish viscous mass with a faint balsamic turpentine-like odour. 2. A pale yellow mobile liquid with a fresh balsamic turpentine-like odour. It blends well with lavender, mimosa, citrus and floral oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons – mostly pinenes.

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization in some individuals.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE See turpentine.

OTHER USES: Used in dentistry and in the production of varnish. The resinoid and oil are employed in high-class colognes and perfumes, and used as a flavouring agent, especially in liqueurs.... mastic


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