Mastic
Useful mainly for people with functional dyspepsia or as an add-on in H. pylori management.
Quick decision guide
May help most
people with functional dyspepsia or as an add-on in H. pylori management
Common dosing range
350 mg to 1 g/day, in divided doses
When to expect effects
Weeks
Watch out for
not a substitute for standard H. pylori antibiotic therapy
What is it
Mastic (mastic gum) is the dried resin of the Pistacia lentiscus tree, traditionally harvested on the Greek island of Chios. It is taken orally, usually as a powder or capsule, mainly for upper-digestive complaints. Its proposed activity is attributed to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory resin acids.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
functional dyspepsia Limited Evidence | Modest symptom improvement | adults with functional (non-ulcer) dyspepsia | Weeks |
h. pylori adjunct Mixed Evidence | Inconsistent; some reduction in bacterial load | people undergoing or supplementing standard H. pylori therapy | Weeks |
functional dyspepsia
- Effect
- Modest symptom improvement
- Best fit
- adults with functional (non-ulcer) dyspepsia
- Time
- Weeks
h. pylori adjunct
- Effect
- Inconsistent; some reduction in bacterial load
- Best fit
- people undergoing or supplementing standard H. pylori therapy
- Time
- Weeks
Evidence for 2 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
functional dyspepsia
Supplement benefitA small randomized trial found that mastic gum reduced overall dyspepsia symptom scores, including stomach pain and fullness, compared with placebo. The evidence base is limited to small studies, so the effect size is uncertain. Mechanistically it is thought to have mild antibacterial and mucosa-soothing properties.
Bottom line: Limited small-trial evidence suggests mastic gum may modestly ease functional dyspepsia symptoms.
h. pylori adjunct
Disease adjunctMastic gum has antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori in vitro, and small clinical studies suggest it can reduce bacterial load, though eradication rates with mastic alone are low and inconsistent. It is best viewed as a possible adjunct, not a replacement for guideline antibiotic regimens. High-quality eradication trials are lacking.
Bottom line: Mastic gum shows anti-H. pylori activity but should only supplement, never replace, standard antibiotic therapy.
Evidence is mixed
In-vitro and small studies show activity against H. pylori, but clinical eradication results are weak and inconsistent.
How to take it
What to track
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Who should avoid it
- people with known Pistacia or tree-nut allergy
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Insufficient safety data in pregnancy; avoid supplemental doses unless advised by a clinician.
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
References by claim
Track Mastic with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.