Mastic gum
Summary
Mastic gum is a tree resin from Chios. Mastic alone cleared H. pylori in only about a third of 26 people versus 10 of 13 on standard antibiotics (grade D). In 156 adults, 1 g a day lowered total cholesterol slightly in one of three groups, and a Greek crossover trial reported less indigestion.
Key facts
- Mastic alone (350 mg or 1.05 g three times daily for 14 days) cleared infection in 9 of 26 people, versus 10 of 13 on standard triple therapy[2]
- In a Greek crossover trial, 1.4 g a day of mastic for 4 weeks reduced bloating, epigastric burning and heartburn compared with no treatment[3]
- 1 g of crude mastic a day lowered total cholesterol by 11.5 mg/dL in 8 weeks; polymer-free and 2 g powder forms had no significant effect[1]
- 2 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedMastic has antibacterial activity against H. pylori and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in lab studies; how it eases indigestion is not established.[2][3]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
At a glance: strongest evidence per outcome
| Outcome | Grade | Effect | Strongest evidence | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart | Grade D | Mixed | RCT · n = 156 · 2016 | 1 row |
| Gut | Grade D | Mixed | Pilot RCT · n = 52 · 2010 | 1 row |
Every graded row
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol and fasting glucose | Mixed | Grade D | RCT · n = 156 · 2016 Healthy adults with total cholesterol above 200 mg/dL Form: Crude Chios mastic gum (and two other forms) · Dose: 1 g/day crude (also 1 g polymer-free, 2 g powder) · Duration: 8 weeks The 1 g crude group lowered total cholesterol by 11.5 mg/dL and fasting glucose by 4.5 mg/dL; the other two forms did not; LDL, HDL and triglycerides did not change. | 26311707 (opens PubMed)Source [1] |
| H. pylori eradication | Mixed | Grade D | Pilot RCT · n = 52 · 2010 Adults with H. pylori infection Form: Pure mastic gum · Dose: 1.05 or 3.15 g/day · Duration: 14 days Eradication in 4 of 13 and 5 of 13 people on mastic alone, none of 13 on mastic plus pantoprazole, and 10 of 13 on standard antibiotic therapy. | 19879118 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mastic resin (crude, powder or polymer-free) | Varies[1] | Only the crude 1 g form changed cholesterol in a head-to-head trial of three forms.[1] | Well tolerated with no serious adverse events in the H. pylori trial.[2] | Cholesterol (1 g/day), H. pylori (1–3 g/day), indigestion (1.4 g/day) |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 1 g of mastic a day for 8 weeks to 3.15 g a day for 14 days.[1][2]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
None found in our sources.
Who should be careful
- People with H. pylori
- Mastic alone cleared far fewer infections than standard antibiotics in a head-to-head pilot.[2]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- No safety data were found in the trials we cite.[1]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Mastic gum
Products from brands we partner with that contain Mastic gum. Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkMastic Gum4 capsules: 2,000 mg mastic resin standardized to 12% masticonic acids; 15 servings (label allows 2 to 4 capsules). Within the 1–3 g a day range studied.Shop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
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Frequently asked questions
Does mastic gum get rid of H. pylori?
Rarely on its own: in a 52-person pilot it cleared about a third of infections versus 10 of 13 with standard antibiotics.[2]
Does mastic gum help indigestion?
A Greek crossover trial found less bloating, burning and heartburn on 1.4 g a day compared with no treatment.[3]
Does mastic lower cholesterol?
Only slightly, and only with 1 g of crude mastic in one trial; other forms had no effect.[1]
Sources
- [1]Effects of Chios mastic gum on cholesterol and glucose levels of healthy volunteers: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study (CHIOS-MASTIHA).. Eur J Prev Cardiol, 2016. RCT
- [2]The effect of mastic gum on Helicobacter pylori: a randomized pilot study.. Phytomedicine, 2010. pilot-RCT
- [3]A randomized, three-way crossover clinical trial on the efficacy of Mastiha based therapies (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) in functional dyspepsia.. Pharmacol Res, 2025. crossover-RCT
What changed
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, year and journal taken from the PubMed record) and abstracts read for each cited row. Product details in Where to buy read from the brand page on the date shown. Self-reviewed in a second strict pass (no independent reviewer yet).