Mastic Gum Supplement for Stomach Inflammation

Our mastic gum supplement is a natural antiseptic remedy that inhibits H.Pylori and combats gastrointestinal problems. The H.pylori infection is associated with gastritis, dyspepsia and peptic ulcers — in fact, H. pylori is now recognized as the cause of peptic ulcers.

Standard treatment to eliminate H.pylori involves taking antibiotics and possibly other drugs. But the side-effects of taking H. pylori antibiotics (nausea, diarrhea and allergies) can be hard to tolerate.

What's more, the bacteria can mutate and become resistant to the antibiotics.

However, there is a natural product that has been used since ancient times as an antiseptic and remedy for a range of stomach ailments: mastic gum (pistacia lentiscus). And the benefits of mastic gum supplements go far beyond dealing with H.pylori infections. Let’s look closer at what mastic gum is, the benefits these supplements may provide and how to take our supplement for maximum effectiveness.

What is mastic gum?

Mastic gum, otherwise known as Pistacia lentiscus, is a resin coming from a Mediterranean tree. This resin has been used for centuries to treat digestive issues, improve oral health and even boost liver health. Mastic gum contains antioxidants that provide these therapeutic properties.

Mastic gum harvest season starts in July and ends in October. To harvest it, incisions are made in the tree's bark until the sap is reached. The extracted sap contains a teardrop-like shape, which is where it gets the name "teardrops of Chios." It’s named after the Greek Island Chios, where the Pistacia lentiscus tree grows. Mastic gum continues to be the biggest cash crop for the area.

Mastic gum comes in many different supplement forms, from tinctures to powders or capsules. Some people also choose to use mastic gum in the form of oil for topical treatments.

Mastic Gum Benefits

Studies demonstrating the efficacy of mastic gum against H.pylori used doses from one to two grams a day. And, even if an H.pylori infection is not suspected, mastic gum can be used to:

• Ease stomach aches
• Help reform stomach and duodenal epithelium
• Promote healthy digestion
• Freshen breath
• Several clinical studies have shown that mastic inhibits or eliminates H.pylori as well as other bacterial and fungal infections

Let’s take a closer look at all the mastic gum health benefits, such as taking mastic gum for bad breath.

Taking Mastic Gum for Stomach Inflammation

This is among the top mastic gum supplement benefits. A 2005 study shows that mastic gum may be useful for relieving abdominal pain, discomfort and inflammation. The research indicates that the benefits may be seen because of the anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants.

Other research suggests mastic gum's antibacterial properties may fight off as many as six ulcer-causing bacteria in addition to H. pylori. The benefits are due to the cytoprotective, antisecretory and antibacterial properties. Taking as low as 1 mg per day can inhibit bacterial growth.

Other studies show mastic gum for stomach problems could ease Crohn's disease symptoms, which can be debilitating without treatment. This small study followed participants that took the supplement for four weeks. The results show a significant decrease in inflammatory symptoms. It also showed a decrease in IL-6 and C-reactive protein levels, which are both markers for inflammation.

In addition to fighting specific infections, consumers often turn to mastic gum to alleviate general stomach ailments, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, bloating and other discomforts.

Combatting H. pylori with Mastic Gym

You may think no organism living in the human stomach could withstand the brutal chemical assault of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. Yet, some exceptionally tough micro-organisms can survive and even multiply in such a hostile environment. Among the most prevalent is the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which is believed to infect the stomachs of up to 40 percent of the world's population.

As its name suggests, H. pylori is a helicoidal-type bacteria that burrows in the epithelial cells close to the pylorus. It survives by secreting urease, an alkalinizing enzyme that neutralizes stomach acids.

So can mastic gum be used to fight H. pylori? A 2010 study shows you can combat the bacteria by taking a mastic gum supplement for H. pylori. In fact, 19 of the 52 participants from that study were able to clear the H. pylori infection by chewing mastic gum over two weeks. Those who took an antibiotic in conjunction with the use of mastic gum for H. pylori achieved the best results. However, some forms of H. pylori can be resistant to antibiotics, while the mastic gum dosage for H. pylori remains effective.

Mastic gum is a safe, effective and natural nutritional supplement, free from side-effects. Once H. pylori has been controlled or eliminated, gastrointestinal function will return to normal by itself and will restore stomach epithelium naturally. It is a supplement that can be used in conjunction with other treatments for maximum success.

Using Mastic Gum Capsules to Fight Bad Breath

While it's apparent you can use mastic gum for stomach issues, many people overlook the benefits of using mastic gum to support dental health. Whether you are concerned with bad breath or cavities, you may find that a mastic gum dietary supplement helps keep oral bacteria at bay.

A 2014 study took a hard look at three mastic gum variations. Those types included pure mastic gum, probiotic gum or xylitol mastic gum, and participants used each one three times a day over three weeks. The study evaluated the levels of pH and bacteria levels after taking the supplements.

Acidic saliva doesn't just lead to bad breath, but it also causes cavities. That's because the saliva contains Mutans streptococci bacterium, combined with Lactobacilli bacterium, both of which are dangerous to oral health. During the study, all three types effectively reduced the level of Mutans streptococci.

The biggest difference between the forms was found with the lactobacilli levels. When using pure or xylitol mastic gums, the lactobacilli levels seemed to rise slightly. However, the probiotic mastic gum decreased overall lactobacilli levels. The probiotic mastic gum also decreased the pH levels of the saliva, which could end up making it more acidic in the long run.

Research agrees that bacteria are the root cause of bad breath. Temporary bad breath can be caused by foods that you eat or poor dental hygiene. However, long-term halitosis is often related to bacteria, which can possibly be regulated by chewing mastic gum or taking mastic gum capsules.

While many people choose to chew mastic gum for dental health, there's no reason to overlook the benefits of taking mastic gum 500 mg capsules instead.

Mastic Gum Side Effects

If you start a mastic gum regimen for H. pylori or any other reason, you may wonder if there are any side effects. Mastic gum appears to be well-tolerated by most people. Mastic gum supplement side effects are rare and are generally limited to people suffering from other health conditions.

We always recommend researching potential mastic gum side effects before starting a new regimen. It's also important to discuss any new supplements with your healthcare provider, especially if you take other medications or have underlying health conditions.

To minimize any side effects, it's best to start with a lower dose and increase it over time, as needed. Mastic gum supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Because of this lack of regulation, you need to take special precautions when purchasing this supplement. If you buy mastic gum from a manufacturer you can't trust, you put yourself at a greater risk for side effects.

Additionally, you want to follow all recommended dosage guidelines listed on the label. And if you have questions, like how long should you take mastic gum for H. pylori? it's best to talk to your doctor. By taking mastic gum as directed, you ensure fewer complications and side effects.

There is no research indicating whether or not it’s safe to take mastic gum while pregnant or breastfeeding. For this reason, we don't advise that expectant or nursing mothers take mastic gum.

Mastic Gum Dosage

Our vegetarian mastic gum capsules contain 500 mg of mastic resin. But when it comes to how to take mastic gum pills, your dosage depends on the severity of your symptoms. The dosage for taking mastic gum for oral health may be different than the mastic gum dosage for gastritis, for example.

In general, we recommend taking between two and four capsules each day. If you are taking two capsules a day, this bottle of mastic gum will last you for a month.

As with any new supplement, it's best to speak with your healthcare provider about the best dosage for your needs. It will depend on your current goals, health condition, and any medications you take.

1. Triantafyllidi A, Xanthos T, Papalois A, Triantafillidis JK. Herbal and plant therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015;28(2):210-220.
2. Biria M, Eslami G, Taghipour E, Akbarzadeh Baghban A. Effects of Three Mastic Gums on the Number of Mutans Streptococci, Lactobacilli and PH of the Saliva. J Dent (Tehran). 2014;11(6):672-679.
3. Porter SR, Scully C. Oral malodour (halitosis). BMJ. 2006;333(7569):632-635. doi:10.1136/bmj.38954.631968.AE