Mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus)

Table of Contents

Other names

Mastic Resin
Chios Mastic
Arabic Gum Mastic

Synopsis

Mastic gum is a natural resin obtained from the bark of the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), a small evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region, especially the Greek island of Chios. The resin is collected by making incisions in the bark, from which droplets of sap ooze out and harden into glassy, pale-yellow “tears.” This resin has been used for over 2,000 years for its medicinal, aromatic, and culinary properties.

Rich in terpenes, essential oils, and polymer compounds, mastic gum possesses a range of therapeutic effects including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, digestive, and oral health-promoting actions. It is most renowned for its application in gastrointestinal disorders, especially stomach ulcers, gastritis, acid reflux, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, and indigestion. Modern studies suggest mastic gum can inhibit H. pylori, the bacteria responsible for many ulcers and chronic gastritis cases.

Additionally, mastic gum supports oral and dental health, thanks to its ability to suppress oral pathogens, reduce plaque, and freshen breath. Chewing mastic has been shown to reduce bacterial load, prevent gingivitis, and strengthen gum tissue. It is also used traditionally as a natural chewing gum and digestive aid.

In modern herbal medicine, mastic gum is offered in capsule, powder, and resin form, often as a natural remedy for functional dyspepsia, IBS, gastric inflammation, and ulcer management. Its mild antimicrobial and astringent properties also make it useful in topical applications for wound healing and skin conditions, though this is less common today.

Historical Use
Mastic gum has a long and well-documented history in Greek, Roman, Arab, and Ottoman medical traditions. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates prescribed it for digestive problems, colds, and mouth infections. Dioscorides, the famed 1st-century Greek pharmacologist, detailed its use for stomach issues, snake bites, and respiratory ailments in his De Materia Medica.

On the island of Chios, where mastic trees uniquely thrive, cultivation and harvest of the gum have been central to the local economy and culture for centuries. Mastic was once so highly prized that it served as a form of currency and tribute, and the Mastiha villages (Mastichochoria) were protected by fortifications during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods due to the gum’s high trade value.

In Arabic and Islamic medicine, mastic was used as a digestive tonic, breath freshener, and liver-strengthening agent. It was often recommended for chronic diarrhea, gastritis, and as part of compound formulas for improving appetite and liver detoxification.

In Ayurveda, similar tree resins are used for gastrointestinal support, though Pistacia lentiscus itself is not native to India. However, the functional properties of mastic align with Ayurvedic approaches to calming Pitta-related digestive disturbances, such as ulcers, burning sensations, and excessive acidity.

Today, mastic gum is still traditionally harvested in Chios under Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. Its therapeutic use has seen a revival, especially in natural gastrointestinal health, as research continues to confirm many of the empirical uses long known in traditional medicine.

Uses: Health Conditions

Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Duodenal Ulcers (Traditional)

Body Systems

Digestive System (Science)
Gums (Science)
Stomach (Science)
Teeth (Science)