- Health advice
- May 15, 2024
Mastic gum is an ancient Greek digestive remedy, and it is making a comeback. This resin was little known in Australia until recently. Now more people are trying it to support their gut health, so this guide explains where it comes from, what the research says, and how to use it safely.
Reviewed on 08/09/26 · Next review: September 2027.
Mastic gum is a resin from a Greek tree, traditionally used to soothe the digestive tract and ease indigestion. Modern trials support its traditional use for functional dyspepsia, and it is usually taken as a powder mixed into a drink or alongside food.
Where Does Mastic Gum Come From?
Mastic gum comes from the resin of the mastic tree, a small evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean. This medicinal resin is grown almost only on the Greek island of Chios, where farmers have tapped the trees for centuries.
Growers score the bark of the tree in summer, and the resin slowly drips out and hardens into small, pale tears. These are collected by hand, cleaned, and dried before they are sold as raw mastic or ground into powder.
What Is Mastic Gum Used For?
In Greece and nearby countries, mastic gum is a common cooking ingredient. You will find it in chewing gum, drinks, savoury dishes, and sweets.
It has also been used as a medicine since the time of Hippocrates, almost 2,500 years ago. In traditional Greek herbal medicine, mastic gum is used to support the mucous membranes lining the gut, from the mouth down to the stomach, and to soothe them when they feel irritated.
It is also traditionally used to relieve the symptoms of indigestion, known as dyspepsia. This traditional use is now recognised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which lists mastic gum as a traditional herbal medicine for mild dyspepsia.[7]
What does the research say?
Modern research has started to test these traditional uses. Most of the human trials come from Greek university researchers, often working with mastic gum grown on Chios.
Most mastic gum trials are small, and several were supported by mastic industry groups. This does not make the results invalid, but it is worth knowing the evidence base is still developing, and mastic gum is not a treatment for a diagnosed digestive condition without your doctor's guidance.
Benefits of Mastic Gum
Mastic gum is best known for its traditional and research-backed digestive benefits, though people also use it for oral and liver support. Here is how each traditional use is thought to work.
- Soothes the digestive lining. Traditionally, mastic gum is used to calm the mucous membranes that line the mouth, oesophagus, and stomach when they feel irritated. This is its most established traditional use, and it's the reason mastic gum is often reached for during a flare of mild indigestion.
- Eases functional dyspepsia. A placebo-controlled trial found people with functional dyspepsia felt noticeably better after three weeks of taking mastic gum. This is the traditional use now recognised by the European Medicines Agency.[1,7]
- May help balance stomach bacteria. Laboratory research shows mastic gum extracts are active against H. pylori, the bacteria linked to some stomach ulcers, and a small pilot study explored this in people with an existing infection. It works alongside your doctor's treatment rather than replacing it.[2,3]
- Provides antioxidant support. Mastic gum contains natural plant compounds called triterpenic acids, which have antioxidant activity in laboratory studies. Antioxidants help protect your cells from everyday oxidative stress.
- Supports oral health. Chewing mastic gum has traditionally been used in Greece to freshen breath and support healthy gums, since the resin has natural antibacterial activity in the mouth. This is part of why it has been chewed as a natural gum for thousands of years.
- Traditionally used for liver comfort. Mastic gum has a long history of traditional use for supporting liver function, though the human research here is still limited compared to its digestive uses. Speak with your practitioner if liver support is your main reason for trying it.
How Should I Take Mastic Gum?
Mastic gum is easy to take in a powdered form. It has a mild flavour, so it mixes well into smoothies or juice, and it slots easily into your existing routine.
Clinical trials have used doses from around 1 g a day for dyspepsia up to 2.8 g a day in inflammatory bowel disease research.[1,5] These research doses are not a recommendation, so always follow the directions on your product label or the advice of your practitioner.
You can browse our full liver and gut health range if you want to explore other traditional and evidence-based options for digestive support alongside mastic gum.
Pairing mastic gum with other digestive herbs
Mastic gum is suitable for use alongside herbs with similar traditional uses, like slippery elm and marshmallow root. In Western herbal medicine, these are traditionally used to calm mild gut irritation and support the digestive lining.
Also consider the amino acid glutamine, which supports the structure of gut lining cells and gives them energy to function. Glutamine also supports immune health, including immunity in the gut.
Safety and Who Should Be Careful
Mastic gum comes from the same plant family as pistachios and cashews. If you have a tree nut allergy, particularly to pistachios, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before trying mastic gum.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women - speak with your doctor or midwife before starting any new supplement.
- People with a diagnosed digestive condition, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or a stomach ulcer, should use mastic gum only under the guidance of their doctor or gastroenterologist, since it is not a substitute for prescribed treatment.
- People taking prescription medication - check with your pharmacist, since herbal supplements can sometimes interact with medicines.
- People with a tree nut allergy, especially to pistachio, should exercise caution given the shared plant family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mastic gum good for?
In traditional Greek herbal medicine, mastic gum is used to soothe the digestive tract and relieve mild indigestion. Clinical research also supports its traditional use for functional dyspepsia.
Where does mastic gum come from?
Mastic gum is the resin of the mastic tree, grown almost only on the Greek island of Chios. Farmers there have harvested it for centuries by scoring the bark and collecting the resin that drips out.
Is mastic gum safe?
Mastic gum is generally well tolerated in the doses used in clinical trials. It comes from the same plant family as pistachios, so people with a tree nut allergy should check with their doctor first.
How do I take mastic gum?
Powdered mastic gum has a mild taste and mixes easily into water, juice, or a smoothie. Always follow the directions on your product label, since doses used in research vary by condition.
Can I take mastic gum with other digestive herbs?
Yes. It is commonly used alongside slippery elm, marshmallow root, or glutamine, which are also traditionally used to support the digestive lining.
Does mastic gum help with H. pylori?
Laboratory studies show mastic gum extracts are active against H. pylori bacteria, and small human studies have explored this further. It is not a replacement for the antibiotic treatment your doctor prescribes for a confirmed H. pylori infection.
Does mastic gum actually work?
Yes, for its traditional use in mild indigestion, a placebo-controlled trial found real symptom improvement. Other traditional uses, like liver support, have less human research behind them, so results vary by what you're using it for.
Can you chew mastic gum, and do you swallow it?
Yes, raw mastic tears can be chewed like a natural gum. It starts hard and softens as you chew, and small softened pieces are generally fine to swallow, though it's best to cut larger pieces first to avoid choking.
Can you reuse mastic gum?
Yes, many people chew the same piece on and off throughout the day, or over a few days, until it starts to break apart. Store it somewhere clean and cool between uses.
Does mastic gum dissolve?
With several hours of continuous chewing, mastic gum eventually softens further and breaks into small, unchewable pieces. Powdered or capsule forms are made to dissolve or break down when swallowed.
Does mastic gum expire or go bad?
Mastic resin doesn't spoil the way food does, but it can dry out, harden, and lose potency over time, especially if it isn't stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Check your product's label for a best-by date and follow the storage directions.
Can mastic gum cause constipation?
There's no strong evidence linking mastic gum to constipation, and it's traditionally used to soothe digestion rather than slow it. If you notice a change in your bowel habits after starting it, stop use and speak with your doctor.
References
- Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Frantzi D, Amygdalos GI, Giannikopoulos G. Is Chios mastic gum effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia? A prospective randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010;127(2):205-209. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Paraschos S, Magiatis P, Mitakou S, et al. In vitro and in vivo activities of Chios mastic gum extracts and constituents against Helicobacter pylori. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007;51(2):551-559. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Giannikopoulos G. The effect of mastic gum on Helicobacter pylori: a randomised pilot study. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(3-4):296-299. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Kaliora AC, Stathopoulou MG, Triantafillidis JK, Dedoussis GV, Andrikopoulos NK. Chios mastic treatment of patients with active Crohn's disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2007;13(5):748-753. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Papada E, Gioxari A, Amerikanou C, Forbes A, Tzavara C, Smyrnioudis I, Kaliora AC. Regulation of faecal biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with oral Mastiha (Pistacia lentiscus) supplement: a double-blind and placebo-controlled randomised trial. Phytother Res. 2019;33(2):360-369. ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk
- Al-Habbal MJ, Al-Habbal Z, Huwez FU. A double-blind controlled clinical trial of mastic and placebo in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 1984;11(5):541-544. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). European Union herbal monograph on Pistacia lentiscus L., resin (mastix). EMA/HMPC/46756/2015. ema.europa.eu
General Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and you should always read the label and follow the directions for use.
References to research findings reflect the current state of published evidence and are not claims made about any specific Mr Vitamins product. Individual results vary, and mastic gum is not a substitute for prescribed treatment of a diagnosed digestive condition.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medication, have a tree nut allergy, or have an existing health condition, consult a qualified healthcare professional before using mastic gum. Keep all supplements out of reach of children.
Product and collection links in this guide reflect the independent recommendation of the Mr Vitamins practitioner and retail team. No brand has paid for inclusion, placement, or editorial content.
© Mr Vitamins. All rights reserved. Content is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most current research. Reviewed: 08/09/26. Next review due: September 2027.
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