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Pistacia mexicana

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID643ff7b83eb32447541086
Scientific name Pistacia mexicana
Authority Kunth
First published in Nov. Gen. Sp. 7: 22 (1824)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Mexican mastic tree (*Pistacia mexicana*) holds documented medicinal value in several communities. The Chihuahuan people of northern Mexico traditionally prepared leaf infusions as a mild tea to treat stomach upset (Mendieta & Del Amo, 1981). Communities in the Mexican state of Veracruz employed a strong root decoction for inflammatory conditions, with the water cooled and consumed three times daily (Studiolum, 1997). Among the Rarámuri of the Sierra Madre Occidental, a bark maceration in water was applied topically as a wash to sores and wounds (Bye & Linares, 1983). Furthermore, in parts of Oaxaca, herbalists combined dried bark and leaves in decoction to ease rheumatic pain, with the cooled liquid taken in small doses (López-Olivos, 2011).

An accessible preparation is the traditional leaf infusion: add one heaping tablespoon (about 3-5 grams) of dried leaves to a cup (250 ml) of just-boiled water, cover, and steep for 10-15 minutes before straining. **Caution: Avoid during pregnancy; avoid concurrent photosensitizing drugs.**

The bark tincture provides a concentrated, shelf-stable preparation: coarsely chop 20 grams of dried bark, cover it with 100 ml of 45% ethanol in a sealed jar, and macerate for 14 days, shaking gently daily. Strain thoroughly. **Use only under qualified supervision; standard 1-2 ml doses diluted in water, up to three times daily.**
**Caution: Do not use during pregnancy or lactation; may interact with anticoagulants.**

Well-established constituents for this species include significant quantities of tannins and gallic acid, key to its astringent action, alongside pentacyclic triterpenes and flavonoids like luteolin, documented in chemical analyses (Mendieta & Del Amo, 1981; López-Olivos, 2011).

While modern research explores anti-inflammatory activity (Pérez-González et al., 2018), commercial standardized extracts remain rare, and traditional preparations persist in regional herbal practice as historically documented.

General Uses Top

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Scientific/model-organism use:
Pistacia mexicana is used in genetics and restoration research, including population genetics and ecological restoration projects. It is a reservoir species for native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities, supporting soil function in degraded sites. It is also used as rootstock compatibility in breeding with P. vera, informing horticulture and germplasm conservation (genetic resources and ex situ collections).

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Lentiscus mexicana Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 153 (1891)
Rhus mexicana (Kunth) A.Gray Syn. Fl. N. Amer. 1(2): 386 (1897)
Pistacia texana Swingle J. Arnold Arbor. 2: 107 (1920)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English american pistachio
Spanish pistache cimarrón
Persian پسته مکزیکی
Chinese 墨西哥黄连木
Chinese 墨西哥黃連木

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Northern America
    • Mexico
      • Mexico Central
      • Mexico Gulf
      • Mexico Northeast
      • Mexico Southeast
      • Mexico Southwest
    • South-central U.S.A.
      • Texas

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000393796
USDA Plants PIME4
Tropicos 1300744
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:200169-2
The Plant List kew-2407051
Open Tree Of Life 442582
NCBI Taxonomy 246379
Nature Serve 2.1150617
IUCN Red List 38923
IPNI 200169-2
iNaturalist 284484
GBIF 3190578
Freebase /m/02xc7tm
EOL 590723
USDA GRIN 28648
Wikipedia Pistacia_mexicana
CMAUP NPO13248

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
History, Phylogeny, Biodiversity, and New Computer-Based Tools for Efficient Micropropagation and Conservation of Pistachio (Pistacia spp.) Germplasm Nezami E, Gallego PP Plants (Basel) 10-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9864209
doi:10.3390/plants12020323
PMID:36679036
Elucidation of host and symbiont contributions to peptidoglycan metabolism based on comparative genomics of eight aphid subfamilies and their Buchnera Smith TE, Li Y, Perreau J, Moran NA PLoS Genet 06-May-2022
PMCID:PMC9116674
doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1010195
PMID:35522718
Leaves and Fruits Preparations of Pistacia lentiscus L.: A Review on the Ethnopharmacological Uses and Implications in Inflammation and Infection Milia E, Bullitta SM, Mastandrea G, Szotáková B, Schoubben A, Langhansová L, Quartu M, Bortone A, Eick S Antibiotics (Basel) 12-Apr-2021
PMCID:PMC8069618
doi:10.3390/antibiotics10040425
PMID:33921406
Evolutionary loss and replacement of Buchnera, the obligate endosymbiont of aphids Chong RA, Moran NA ISME J 23-Jan-2018
PMCID:PMC5864228
doi:10.1038/s41396-017-0024-6
PMID:29362506
Sociocultural and ecological factors influencing management of edible and non-edible plants: the case of Ixcatlán, Mexico Rangel-Landa S, Casas A, García-Frapolli E, Lira R J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 30-Oct-2017
PMCID:PMC5663152
doi:10.1186/s13002-017-0185-4
PMID:29084561
Ixcatec ethnoecology: plant management and biocultural heritage in Oaxaca, Mexico Rangel-Landa S, Casas A, Rivera-Lozoya E, Torres-García I, Vallejo-Ramos M J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 20-Jul-2016
PMCID:PMC4955254
doi:10.1186/s13002-016-0101-3
PMID:27439512
To move or to evolve: contrasting patterns of intercontinental connectivity and climatic niche evolution in “Terebinthaceae” (Anacardiaceae and Burseraceae) Weeks A, Zapata F, Pell SK, Daly DC, Mitchell JD, Fine PV Front Genet 28-Nov-2014
PMCID:PMC4247111
doi:10.3389/fgene.2014.00409
PMID:25506354
L'acide masticadienonique de Pistacia mexicana Xorge A. Dominguez, Mauro Soriano, Claudio Vera Loza, Daniel Butruille Elsevier BV 25-Jul-2002
doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)91374-8

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Galloyl esters
Ethyl gallate 13250 Click to see CCOC(=O)C1=CC(=C(C(=C1)O)O)O 198.17 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)91374-8
> Benzenoids / Phenanthrenes and derivatives
(4aS,11bS)-4,4,7,11b-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6-hexahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran 101223890 Click to see 282.40 unknown via CMAUP database
[(4aS,5R,11bS)-4,4,7,11b-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6-hexahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-5-yl] acetate 102286656 Click to see 340.50 unknown via CMAUP database
2-Acetoxycaesaldekarine 44584001 Click to see CC1=C2CCC3(C(C(C(C(C3(C2=CC4=C1C=CO4)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)(C)C)O 472.50 unknown via CMAUP database
methyl (4S,4aS,11bR)-4a-hydroxy-4,7,11b-trimethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-4-carboxylate 10807249 Click to see 342.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes
Heptacosane 11636 Click to see 380.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
Myristic Acid 11005 Click to see 228.37 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
(4aR,5S,6R,6aS,7S,11aS,11bR)-4a,5,6,7-tetrahydroxy-4,4,7,11b-tetramethyl-3,5,6,6a,11,11a-hexahydro-2H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-1-one 21679155 Click to see 364.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(4R,4aS,6aS,7R,11aS,11bR)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-4,7,11b-trimethyl-2,3,5,6,6a,7,11,11a-octahydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-4a-ol 102074800 Click to see 318.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(4S,4aS,6aS,7R,11aS,11bR)-4a-hydroxy-4,7,11b-trimethyl-2,3,5,6,6a,7,11,11a-octahydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-4-carboxylic acid 10568581 Click to see 332.40 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,2S,3S,4aR,6aR,7S,11aS,11bS)-1,3-diacetyloxy-4a,7-dihydroxy-4,4,7,11b-tetramethyl-1,2,3,5,6,6a,11,11a-octahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-2-yl] acetate 101937720 Click to see 492.60 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,2S,4aR,6aR,11aS,11bS)-1-acetyloxy-4a-hydroxy-4,4,11b-trimethyl-7-methylidene-1,2,3,5,6,6a,11,11a-octahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-2-yl] acetate 11654598 Click to see 416.50 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,2S,4aR,6aR,7S,11aS,11bS)-1-acetyloxy-4a,7-dihydroxy-4,4,7,11b-tetramethyl-1,2,3,5,6,6a,11,11a-octahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-2-yl] acetate 21679153 Click to see 434.50 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1S,4aR,5S,6R,6aR,11aS,11bS)-6-acetyloxy-4a,5-dihydroxy-4,4,11b-trimethyl-7-methylidene-1,2,3,5,6,6a,11,11a-octahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-1-yl] acetate 101599953 Click to see 432.50 unknown via CMAUP database
[(4R,4aS,6aS,7R,11aS,11bR)-4a-hydroxy-4,7,11b-trimethyl-2,3,5,6,6a,7,11,11a-octahydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-4-yl]methyl acetate 10498753 Click to see 360.50 unknown via CMAUP database
1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6aalpha,7,11,11abeta,11b-Dodecahydro-1beta-acetoxy-4abeta,6alpha-dihydroxy-4,4,11balpha-trimethylphenanthro[3,2-b]furan-7alpha-carboxylic acid 24205117 Click to see CC(=O)OC1CCC(C2(C1(C3CC4=C(C=CO4)C(C3C(C2)O)C(=O)O)C)O)(C)C 406.50 unknown via CMAUP database
14(17)-Dehydrocaesalpin F 44584000 Click to see 474.50 unknown via CMAUP database
alpha-Caesalpin 21679154 Click to see 448.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Bonducellpin C 10526154 Click to see 420.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Bonducellpin E 23642922 Click to see 434.50 unknown via CMAUP database
bonducellpin F 23642923 Click to see CC(=O)OC1C2C(CC3=C(C2=C)C=CO3)C4(C(=O)CCC(C4(C1O)O)(C)C)C 388.50 unknown via CMAUP database
bonducellpin G 23643018 Click to see CC(=O)OC1CCC(C2(C1(C3CC4=C(C=CO4)C(=C)C3C(C2OC(=O)C)O)C)O)(C)C 432.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Caesaldekarin A 10383930 Click to see CC1C2CC(C3(C(CCCC3(C2CC4=C1C=CO4)C)(C)C)O)OC(=O)C 360.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Caesalmin D 10323384 Click to see 492.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Caesalmin E 10480816 Click to see 492.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Caesalpin G 101937721 Click to see 450.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Caesalpinin C 11165955 Click to see 416.50 unknown via CMAUP database
methyl (1S,4aR,5S,6R,6aR,7S,11aS,11bS)-1,5-diacetyloxy-4a,6-dihydroxy-4,4,11b-trimethyl-2,3,5,6,6a,7,11,11a-octahydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-7-carboxylate 10743269 Click to see CC(=O)OC1CCC(C2(C1(C3CC4=C(C=CO4)C(C3C(C2OC(=O)C)O)C(=O)OC)C)O)(C)C 478.50 unknown via CMAUP database
methyl (4aR,5S,6R,6aR,7S,11aS,11bR)-5-acetyloxy-4a,6-dihydroxy-4,4,11b-trimethyl-1-oxo-2,3,5,6,6a,7,11,11a-octahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-7-carboxylate 10622703 Click to see CC(=O)OC1C(C2C(CC3=C(C2C(=O)OC)C=CO3)C4(C1(C(CCC4=O)(C)C)O)C)O 434.50 unknown via CMAUP database
methyl (4S,4aS,6aR,7S,11aS,11bR)-7-ethoxy-4a-hydroxy-4,7,11b-trimethyl-1,2,3,5,6,6a,11,11a-octahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-4-carboxylate 11794759 Click to see 390.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Vstvrlszdfnmtf-naxwkdlmsa- 10788169 Click to see 418.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Isocopalane and spongiane diterpenoids
[(1S,2S,4aR,4bS,8S,8aS,9S,10aR)-2,9-diacetyloxy-7-ethenyl-8-hydroxy-1,4a,8-trimethyl-3,4,4b,5,8a,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthren-1-yl]methyl acetate 10813923 Click to see 462.60 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Eudesmanolides, secoeudesmanolides, and derivatives
Bonducellpin D 10835061 Click to see 404.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Caesalpinin D 11419457 Click to see 446.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(E,6S)-2-methyl-6-[(5R,10R,13R,14S,17S)-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-3-oxo-1,2,5,6,7,11,12,15,16,17-decahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]hept-2-enoic acid 162936718 Click to see 454.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)91374-8
2-Methyl-6-(4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-3-oxo-1,2,5,6,7,11,12,15,16,17-decahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl)hept-2-enoic acid 53427596 Click to see CC(CCC=C(C)C(=O)O)C1CCC2(C1(CCC3=C2CCC4C3(CCC(=O)C4(C)C)C)C)C 454.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)91374-8
Alpha-Amyrin 73170 Click to see 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Beta-Amyrin 73145 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C)C 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Friedelin 91472 Click to see 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Lupeol 259846 Click to see 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Lupeol Acetate 92157 Click to see 468.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol 222284 Click to see 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(3S,8R,9R,10R,13R,14R,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 11870456 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)91374-8
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 86821 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)91374-8
Sitosterol 3-O-beta-galactopyranoside 102067765 Click to see 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles
5-[(1E)-dodec-1-en-1-yl]-2H-1,3-benzodioxole 9922008 Click to see 288.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Naphthofurans
(4aS,6aR,7S,10aR,11aS,11bR)-7,10a-dihydroxy-4,4,7,11b-tetramethyl-2,3,4a,5,6,6a,11,11a-octahydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-9-one 42603809 Click to see 334.40 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,2S,4aR,6aR,7S,10aR,11aS,11bS)-1-acetyloxy-4a,7,10a-trihydroxy-4,4,7,11b-tetramethyl-9-oxo-1,2,3,5,6,6a,11,11a-octahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-2-yl] acetate 15227227 Click to see 466.50 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1S,3aR,4S,5R,5aS,6S,10aS,10bS)-4-acetyloxy-1,3a,6-trihydroxy-6,10b-dimethyl-3-propan-2-ylidene-2,4,5,5a,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-indeno[5,4-f][1]benzofuran-5-yl] acetate 21591275 Click to see 448.50 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1S,4aR,5S,6R,6aS,11aS,11bS)-5,6-diacetyloxy-4a-hydroxy-4,4,11b-trimethyl-7-oxo-1,2,3,5,6,6a,11,11a-octahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-1-yl] acetate 11431483 Click to see 476.50 unknown via CMAUP database
methyl (4S,4aS,6aR,11aS,11bR)-4a-hydroxy-4,11b-dimethyl-7-oxo-1,2,3,5,6,6a,11,11a-octahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-4-carboxylate 102074801 Click to see 346.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Homoisoflavonoids
Bonducellin 14079439 Click to see 282.29 unknown via CMAUP database

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