Mastic tea: what it’s for (and how to prepare it)

Mastic tea is a home remedy that helps treat urinary tract infections, relieve stomach problems, reduce rheumatic pain, treat vaginal infections and inflammation in the mouth.

These benefits are possible because aroeira, also known as aroeira-mansa or aroeira-vermelha, is a medicinal plant that has flavonoids, terpenes and tannins, bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, purifying and analgesic action.

Read too: Aroeira: what it is for and how to make tea

Aroeira tea can be made with the bark or leaves of this plant, which can be found in health food stores, pharmacies and street markets. However, consumption of aroeira tea should preferably be done under the guidance of a doctor or other health professional with experience in the use of medicinal plants.

What is it for

The main health indications of aroeira tea are:

1. Treat urinary tract infection

Mastic tea helps treat urinary infections as it contains tannins, flavonoids and terpenes, compounds with antibacterial action that fight bacteria that can cause this infection, such as Escherichia coli e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Discover other teas recommended for urinary infections.

As it has antacid, anti-inflammatory, digestive, cleansing and antimicrobial properties, aroeira tea can be recommended to alleviate stomach problems, such as poor digestion, gastritis, heartburn and ulcers.

3. Treat vaginal infections

Mastic tea, in sitz baths, helps in the treatment of vaginal infections, because it has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects, being considered a good home remedy for situations such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis and trichomoniasis.

4. Combat respiratory diseases

Due to its febrifuge and antimicrobial properties, consumption of aroeira tea helps fight respiratory diseases, such as flu, bronchitis and colds, relieving coughs, fever and malaise.

Read too: 11 most common respiratory diseases (and what to do)

5. Reduce rheumatic pain

As it contains terpenes with anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, mastic tea is a good option for a home remedy to reduce rheumatic and arthritis pain, as well as relieving pain in cases of muscle strains and other inflammations in general.

6. Fight inflammation in the mouth

Mastic tea, when used in mouthwashes and gargles, helps fight inflammation in the mouth, as it has bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and healing effects. Thus, mastic tea can help in the treatment of gingivitis, mouth ulcers, toothache and sore throat.

How to prepare aroeira tea

Aroeira tea can be prepared with the bark or leaves of this plant.

Ingredients:

• 1 level teaspoon (2g) of mastic bark;
• 200 ml of water.

Preparation mode:

Place the mastic bark and water in a pan and bring to a boil for 10 minutes. Wait for it to warm, strain and drink this tea once a day.

Aroeira tea can also be prepared with the leaves of this plant. To do this, simply place 1 dessert spoon of fresh chopped mastic leaves in a cup of boiling water, cover and let it rest for 5 minutes. Strain and drink the infusion once a day.

Possible side effects

Mastic tea can cause side effects such as diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, dermatitis and mouth or throat irritation, especially when this plant is used in larger amounts than recommended.

Therefore, ingesting aroeira tea should only be done with the advice of a doctor or other healthcare professional specialized in the use of medicinal plants.

Who should not consume

Aroeira tea is not recommended for people who are hypersensitive to this plant, pregnant or breastfeeding women or children.

Furthermore, people with gastrointestinal problems should only consume aroeira tea under the advice of a doctor, as this drink can increase the risk of side effects, such as irritation and stomach pain.