Saleh Fareed
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — A study into mastiha resin from the shinos plant, carried out by independent researchers in Greece, has found that natural mastiha has uniquely beneficial and therapeutic properties.
Speaking during a press conference here at the weekend to present mastiha’s role in supporting health researches, the General Manager of the Mastiha Farmers’ Association in Greece, Demetrius Countrieds, said the plant has microbe-fighting capabilities, helps in healing wounds, reduces inflammation, and has an antioxidant action.
“Scientific evidence has confirmed mastiha’s beneficial action against disorders of the digestive system, its contribution to oral hygiene, its significant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action, as well as the fact that it constitutes a natural antioxidant agent. In addition to that, chios mastiha contributes to wound healing and skin regeneration,” he said.
Countrieds announced that the association has adopted a project to build mastiha shops in several malls around the Kingdom that would stock a variety of products including gifts, self-care, dental care, beauty and sweats and food recipes.
Mastiha Shop general manager, Ayounes Mandals, focused on the importance of raising the awareness of Saudi citizens about using original mastiha products rather than imitations.
The Kingdom receives the largest percentage of mastiha in the Middle East, due to the community’s awareness of its uses, especially among women.
The Mastiha Shop’s exclusive agent in the Kingdom, Monser Bin Hussain Alamodi, said: “Commercial expansion is not our main target. Our main objective is to raise awareness among community about mastiha benefits, types, and uses.”
Alamodi, with a 50-year experience in spices and natural ingredients, emphasized the importance of original products, as it has different benefits and ingredients than other products in the market.
The Greece island “Khious”, the largest in the Aegean Sea, is the only source for mastiha, which is a resin material extracted from the stem and leaves of the shinos tree.
At the start of 2016 the, European Medicines Agency registered mastiha as a natural medicine, while UNESCO considers the resin as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
