Wildcrafted lentisk pure essential oil - 5 ml

Pistacia lentiscus. Plantpart: leaves, wildcrafted by hand in Modi Kydonias area (not cultivated). 

Astringent, balsamic, antibacterial and antifungal. The oil is warming and cleansing as well as astringent. Used as a digestive and antibacterial remedy for the digestive system. In toothpastes and skin preparations. .

Babis and Janina, the producers, report on lentisk collection and distillation: "We collect leaves and young twigs from Pistacia lentiscus in the spring, when the plants flower. The plant-material has to be distilled fresh, so collection and distillation takes place the same day. A 4 hour distillation yields about 0.2% of essential oil. Amongst the essential oils that we collect and distill, it gives the lowest yield. The oil has a lemony, balsamic, resinous scent.. ".

The oil is warming and cleansing as well as astringent. Used as a digestive and antibacterial remedy for the digestive system. In toothpastes and skin preparations.  

We have found the oil beneficial in cases of abdominal pains, diarrhea either taken internally (1 drop in a little water, or added to a spoonful of olive oil three times daily) or massaged diluted (2-3%) in a carrier oil clockwise onto the epigastrium or abdomen. Likewise, we have added the oil to a bottle of tsikoudia, the traditional, unflavoured spirit distilled in Crete from crushed grapes. Just 15-20 drops added to a bottle of the spirit, gives it a wonderful balsamic flavour as well as making an excellent aperitif or digestif. In Russia, during the 17th century, vodka was flavoured with lentisk, designated for the saloons of the nobility. Also in sweeter alcoholic varieties such as liquors, lentisk lends an interesting flavour and a digestive quality much appreciated. 

In Byzantine times, lentisk was a common ingredient in hair-cosmetics. You can add some drops (7-8) to a 'mayonaise' made of an egg and ca 50ml olive oil and smooth into dry hair. Cover with cling-film and a towel, leave for about an hour and then wash well out.  

A drop on the toothbrush is beneficial in cases of inflammation in the gums, freshens the breath and a gargle done with a drop or two in some water helps with inflammations in the oral cavity and throat. 

The essential oil of Lentisk can be used in face-washes and tonics, aftershaves and shampoos (2%). From the 17th century on, it was known to heal dry and chapped lips, it is excellent in formulas such as lip balm or simple oils to treat lips.. 

Likewise it is an excellent fixative for the scent of other essential oils and can be added to a mixture used in massage-oils for this property as well.