Mastiha in History

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ANCIENT YEARS

In antiquity, Greek and Latin physicians, such as Hippocrates,Galinos and Dioscourides discovered the medicinal properties of mastiha, which they called the “lentisk resin”.

ROMAN TIMES - BYZANTIUM

In Roman times, the emperor Heliogabalus first mixed mastiha oil with wine and called it “mastiha wine”
During the Byzantine period, mastiha was amongst the few exportable luxury goods of Constantinople, bringing in 120,000 gold coins to the imperial coffers of the island’s governor. 

GENOESE DOMINATION - OTTOMAN EMPIRE

The passage of the Genovese from Chios (1346-1566) systematized the trade in mastiha, opening markets in East and West. Mastiha travels to Yerevan, Cyprus, Rhodes, Venice and London, cities in which civilizations, people, religions and flavors mingled.
During the period of the Ottoman Empire the Masticohoria (mastiha producing villages) were experiencing a period of great a period of great prosperity, though they were obliged to send the best quality of mastiha, to Constantinople, with the Sultan’s harem being the most prominent recipient.

At the end of the 13th century, a physician known as Gilbertus Anglicus flourished in London. In his Compendium Medicinae he mentions “Diacerasus”, a remedy for the spleen that contains cherry juice, cinnamon and mastiha.

According to Johann Michael Wansleban, a German theologian and traveller of the mid 17th century, notable Egyptians used to flavour their water vessels with mastiha to give the water a more pleasant taste. 

Mastiha is used to manufacture surgical thread. Stitches made with this thread are absorbed by the body and do not require cutting.

Today, in the multinational and colourful environment of the Eastern Mediterranean, mastiha continues its journey through time, uniting people and cultures, exchanging experiences and beliefs.