Mastic: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Mastic tree, mastic, Chios Mastic
Scientific name(s)
Pistacia lentiscus
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Triterpenic acids
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research conducted with adults suffering from functional dyspepsia (digestive disorders without apparent cause) indicates that consuming 350 mg of mastic gum orally, three times a day for three weeks, helps relieve symptoms. Participants reported a reduction in stomach pain and burning, as well as a potential improvement in symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.
Posologie
Oral: gum, resin
1050 mg
powder, dry extract
Is Chios mastic gum effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia? A prospective randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial
Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, Anacardiaceae): A review
Gastric ulcer ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research conducted on adults with duodenal ulcers shows that taking mastic powder at a dose of 1 g per day orally for 2 weeks improves symptoms and ulcer healing compared to placebo. Furthermore, preliminary clinical research shows that taking mastic powder at a dose of 1 g twice a day for 4 weeks may contribute to improving symptoms and healing the ulcer in patients with a gastric ulcer.
Posologie
Oral: gum, resin
1 - 2 g
powder, dry extract
Gastroesophageal reflux ✪✪✪✪✪
Mastic gum proves beneficial in managing gastroesophageal reflux, offering significant relief from symptoms such as heartburn. Its use may improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from this common digestive condition.
Posologie
Oral: gum, resin
1050 mg
powder, dry extract
Is Chios mastic gum effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia? A prospective randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial
Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, Anacardiaceae): A review
Crohn's disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 2.22 g of mastic per day for 4 weeks improves symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and non-gastrointestinal symptoms by 39% from baseline in patients with active Crohn's disease. The validity of these results is limited by the absence of a control group.
Posologie
Oral: gum, resin
2 g
powder, dry extract
Helicobacter pylori infection ✪✪✪✪✪
Initial clinical studies indicate that consuming mastic gum, at doses of 0.35 or 1.05 g three times a day for two weeks, eliminated the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria in about one-third of patients five weeks after the end of treatment. However, it is important to note that using mastic gum alone, or combined with pantoprazole, a stomach medication, has proven less effective at eradicating H. pylori than using a standard combination of pantoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, which are commonly used in the treatment of this infection.
Posologie
Oral: gum, resin
1 - 3 g
powder, dry extract
Wound ✪✪✪✪✪
Mastic gum is traditionally used for the symptomatic treatment of minor skin inflammations and as an aid in the healing of minor wounds. Used in the form of semi-solid preparations containing 9-11% powdered plant substance to be applied in a thin layer on the affected area up to 3 times a day.
Posologie
Topical administration: gum, resin
poultice, cream
Properties
Antimicrobial
There is in vitro evidence of antibacterial and antifungal activity of mastic extract. In humans, chewing mastic gum has antibacterial effects in the mouth and helps reduce the growth of certain pathogens responsible for cavities and tooth decay. It could therefore be used as a natural alternative product for the prevention of periodontitis. Mastic gum also shows antibacterial effects against Helicobacter pylori. Several studies have shown its potential effectiveness in eliminating many other foodborne pathogens and microorganisms like Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pseudomonas fragi, and Salmonella enteritidis.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory properties of mastic gum may explain its various health benefits. In animal experiments, mastic gum has been observed to reduce inflammation associated with conditions such as edema (swelling caused by fluid accumulation) and asthma. This reduction in inflammation could be due to the decrease of certain proteins (cytokines) and enzymes that contribute to inflammatory responses, as well as to a reduced activity of neutrophils and eosinophils, two types of immune cells involved in inflammatory processes. Additionally, a pilot study in patients with Crohn's disease showed encouraging results. After four weeks of treatment with mastic capsules (six capsules per day, each containing 370 mg of mastic), there was a significant decrease in the disease activity index, as well as in plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), two markers of inflammation.
Usages associés
Beneficial role of Pistacia lentiscus aqueous extract in experimental colitis: anti-inflammatory and potential therapeutic effects
Gastroprotective
Mastic gum is studied for its potential beneficial effects in the prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Some researchers suggest that mastic might have antisecretory properties, meaning it could help reduce the production of gastric juices. Furthermore, mastic might have cytoprotective effects, meaning it could protect gastric mucosa cells from damage. Studies on animal models indicate that mastic might protect this mucosa, especially during treatments with stomach-irritating medications like aspirin, although this effect has yet to be confirmed in humans. Mastic gum also exhibits antibacterial effects against Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria often associated with gastrointestinal disorders, which might contribute to its protective properties for the stomach. Studies in humans have shown that mastic can help alleviate symptoms of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This effectiveness could be due to a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines, proteins that play a key role in inflammatory processes. In patients, the intake of mastic has been linked to a decrease in fecal lysozyme, an important marker for the diagnosis and evaluation of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years: 1 g - 2 g
- Single dose: 0.5-1 g, 2 times a day - Daily dose: 1-2 g
Precautions
Pregnant woman: avoid
Insufficient data.
Breastfeeding woman: avoid
Insufficient data.
Child: avoid
Insufficient data.
