Mastic Gum for Heartburn

A 2025 study found that 1.4g of resin from the mastic tree taken daily was significantly more effective than placebo at improving functional dyspepsia over 4 weeks. Functional dyspepsia included abdominal bloating and heartburn. The word masticate (to chew) is likely derived from the name of this tree located on the island of Chios in Greece. The famous Greek physician Hippocrates also noted the therapeutic properties of mastic resin. Mastic gum may even be effective for gastric ulcers.

Kleftaki SA, Amerikanou C, Tzavara C, Biagki T, Sigala D, Bouziou A, Zouboulaki S, Koutsia A, Smyrnioudis EV, Anapliotis P, Kaliora AC. A randomized, three-way crossover clinical trial on the efficacy of Mastiha based therapies (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) in functional dyspepsia. Pharmacol Res. 2025 Dec;222:108019. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2025.108019. Epub 2025 Nov 4. PMID: 41197785.

Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Frantzi D, Amygdalos GI, Giannikopoulos G. Is Chios mastic gum effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia? A prospective randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Feb 3;127(2):205-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.11.021. Epub 2009 Dec 2. PMID: 19961914.

Blomquist SA, Fernandez ML. Chios Mastic Gum: A Promising Phytotherapeutic for Cardiometabolic Health. Nutrients. 2024 Sep 2;16(17):2941. doi: 10.3390/nu16172941. PMID: 39275256; PMCID: PMC11397435.

Huwez FU, Thirlwell D, Cockayne A, Ala'Aldeen DA. Mastic gum kills Helicobacter pylori. N Engl J Med. 1998 Dec 24;339(26):1946. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199812243392618. PMID: 9874617.