Mastic gum — a resin from the Mediterranean mastic tree — has been chewed for stomach complaints for thousands of years, and modern research has taken enough interest to make it more than folklore.
What Mastic Gum Is
It’s the hardened sap of Pistacia lentiscus, traditionally from the Greek island of Chios. Found as capsules or chewable “tears.”
The Benefits Worth Knowing
- H. pylori. Some studies suggest mastic gum has antibacterial activity against this bacterium behind many ulcers and chronic gastritis.
- Gastritis and stomach lining. May soothe and protect an irritated stomach lining.
- Reflux/indigestion. Traditionally used for dyspepsia.
The honest caveat: the human evidence is promising but still limited and small-scale.
How to Take It
Capsules are the easy route, typically taken on an empty stomach. For H. pylori, people often run it as a several-week course.
Important
If you have real ulcer symptoms or a confirmed H. pylori infection, see a doctor — mastic gum is a complement, not a substitute for proper treatment.
The Bottom Line
Mastic gum’s most interesting benefit is for the stomach — potential activity against H. pylori and soothing of gastritis, backed by promising but limited research.
Informational only, not medical advice.