Herb
Mastic Gum
A tree resin chewed or taken in capsules, traditionally used to soothe the stomach and ease reflux and ulcers.
⤢📊 How it ranks (our editor score) — 77/100Tap to see the breakdown
🌱 What it is
Mastic gum is a resin that weeps from the bark of the mastic tree and hardens into small 'tears,' chewed directly or taken in capsules to soothe the stomach.
📜 Where it comes from
Mastic gum has been harvested from mastic trees on the Greek island of Chios since ancient times, where Greco-Roman physicians including Dioscorides recorded its use for the stomach. It became a prized trade good across the Mediterranean and Middle East, chewed both for fresh breath and digestive comfort. That Mediterranean tradition of chewing mastic tears for the stomach has continued largely unbroken to the present.
✨ Why it's good for you
- May help support a calm, settled stomach
- May help support comfort from occasional reflux
- May help support the stomach lining over time
🥗 Nutrition
Per 1 tsp resin (5g) · about 15 calories
- Terpenes and resin acids
- No significant macronutrients
- Antimicrobial compounds
Source: Nutrition estimate (per typical serving)
🥄 How to use it
Chew a small piece of mastic 'tears' like gum, or take mastic capsules per the label, ideally between meals. It works gradually over a few weeks.
How much: Chew a small piece between meals, or take capsules per the label, over a few weeks.
Why it works: Antimicrobial; may help eradicate H. pylori.
Show full details & how to prepare it
Mastic is the aromatic resin of a small Mediterranean tree, traditionally chewed like a natural gum and long valued for soothing an unsettled stomach. People reach for it most for reflux, indigestion, and the discomfort of a sensitive stomach lining.
You can chew the little resin 'tears' directly or take it in capsules, ideally between meals, and give it a few weeks. It's gentle for most, though anyone allergic to pistachio (a relative) should steer clear — and persistent stomach trouble always deserves a doctor's look, since ulcers often need specific treatment.
Ways to prepare it
⚠️ Cautions
- Generally well tolerated; may cause mild stomach upset in some.
- Those allergic to mastic or related trees (pistachio) should avoid it.
- Persistent stomach pain is worth attention, since ulcers often involve H. pylori and need proper treatment beyond mastic alone.
📚 Learn more
🌿 Deeper natural detail
🩺 The conventional view
💬 Ask Remy about Mastic Gum
📚 Resource confidence
Based on mentions in health references
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