Mastic Gum

(Pistacia lentiscus var. chia) Tradition, Mechanisms, and What Clinical Studies Show

Last updated: 21 Aug 2025. Educational information only; not medical advice.

Key points at a glance

• What it is: Chios mastic gum is an aromatic resin traditionally chewed for oral hygiene and digestive comfort.
• Where evidence is stronger: Oral health adjunct (short‑term reductions in plaque indices and certain oral bacteria in small trials) and subjective dyspepsia relief in one double‑blind RCT.
• Where evidence is mixed/limited: Helicobacter pylori eradication (pilot trials show inconsistent results) and broader digestive claims; larger, modern RCTs are needed.

What’s in mastic gum?

Mastic resin contains triterpenes (e.g., masticadienonic and isomasticadienonic acids), essential oils, and polymeric components. In vitro studies show antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory actions, which motivate clinical research, but in vitro does not guarantee human benefit. Human trials are the key.

Oral health: early human data

A small double‑blind randomized trial among dental students found that chewing mastic gum for one week (with no mechanical brushing allowed during the trial) reduced plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation compared with placebo. Other small studies suggest reductions in Streptococcus mutans counts, and a 2023 narrative review concluded that mastic gum shows adjunctive potential for oral hygiene, though evidence remains preliminary compared with established agents like fluoride and chlorhexidine.

How to read this: Mastic gum can be a useful adjunct to, not a replacement for, the basics: brushing with fluoride toothpaste, interdental cleaning, and routine dental care.

Digestive comfort and functional dyspepsia

A 2010 double‑blind randomized, placebo‑controlled trial (148 participants; 3 weeks; 350 mg mastic gum three times daily) reported improvement in total dyspepsia symptom scores versus placebo. The study was short and single‑center; nonetheless, it provides preliminary human evidence that mastic gum may relieve functional dyspepsia symptoms in some people. Follow‑up trials with larger, multi‑center designs would help confirm magnitude and durability.

Helicobacter pylori: mixed pilot data

A 2010 randomized pilot study compared mastic gum monotherapy (350 mg or 1.05 g, three times daily for 14 days) ± a proton‑pump inhibitor with standard triple therapy for H. pylori. Eradication rates with mastic alone were low and inferior to standard therapy; some combinations showed signals, but numbers were small. Takeaway: do not rely on mastic gum to eradicate H. pylori, see a clinician for guideline‑based treatment.

Dosing, formats, and safety

• Formats: Chewing gum, capsules, or powders/oils. Chewing gum is most studied for oral outcomes; capsules are commonly used for digestive comfort based on tradition and the dyspepsia RCT.
• Typical amounts in studies: Chewing gum ad lib for oral trials; for dyspepsia, 350 mg three times daily for 3 weeks in the RCT. Commercial products vary widely.
• Safety: Generally well tolerated in studies; occasional GI upset or allergic responses are possible. People with tree‑resin sensitivities should use caution. As with any supplement, discuss use during pregnancy, lactation, or if you have chronic conditions.

Bottom line

Mastic gum is a heritage botanical with promising but early‑stage human evidence, notably as an oral‑hygiene adjunct and for short‑term dyspepsia symptom relief. It’s reasonable to try for these goals while keeping expectations measured and continuing foundational dental and medical care.

References / Sources

EMA list of references on Pistacia lentiscus L. (overview). https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-references/final-list-references-supporting-assessment-pistacia-lentiscus-l-resin-mastic_en.pdf

Takahashi K et al. J Periodontol (2003): Double‑blind RCT on mastic gum, plaque, gingival indices. https://europepmc.org/article/MED/12747455

Alwadi MM et al. (2023): Mastic gum and oral health: state‑of‑the‑art review. https://researchonline.lshtm.ac.uk/id/eprint/4669593/1/Alwadi-etal-2023-Mastic-gum-and-oral-health.pdf

Dabos KJ et al. J Ethnopharmacol (2010): Functional dyspepsia RCT (350 mg TID × 3 weeks). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874109007284

Dabos KJ et al. Phytomedicine (2010): H. pylori randomized pilot study. https://europepmc.org/article/MED/19879118