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Overview: Mastic is a natural resin obtained from the trunk and branches of the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia), an evergreen tree in the Anacardiaceae (cashew) family. It is available as capsules, powder, and chewing gum. People take mastic for digestive problems such as an upset stomach, stomach ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as for cholesterol and blood sugar support. Its benefits are not well defined for most of these uses. Before taking mastic, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is mastic used for?

The benefits of mastic are not well defined for most uses. Some research suggests it may help with digestive symptoms, but more studies are needed. People take mastic for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Upset stomach, indigestion, stomach pain, or heartburn
  • Stomach ulcers and Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
  • Cholesterol support
  • Blood sugar support
  • Antioxidant or anti-inflammatory support
  • Oral health (dental plaque and bad breath)

Note: The FDA has not reviewed mastic for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does mastic work (mechanism of action)?

Mastic is a resin that comes from the trunk and branches of the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia). More than 120 chemicals have been identified in the resin. The major active chemicals are thought to be triterpenes, especially isomasticadienonic acid and masticadienonic acid, along with volatile compounds such as alpha-pinene and myrcene.

Mastic is thought to work in many ways, depending on the use:

  • It may help with digestive symptoms by fighting the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is a common cause of stomach ulcers. Additional studies are needed to confirm this.
  • It may help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Some researchers believe this may happen through effects on certain cell receptors called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which help control how the body handles fats and sugars.
  • It may reduce inflammation by blocking certain substances in the body that promote swelling and irritation, such as NF-κB, a protein involved in the inflammatory process.
  • It may act as an antioxidant by reducing the production of harmful molecules called free radicals in cells, while also increasing the body’s own antioxidant levels.

The benefits of mastic are not well defined for most of these uses, and more research is needed.

How should I store mastic?

You should store mastic according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of mastic?

Mastic seems to be well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of mastic?

Severe Allergic Reactions. Mastic may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking mastic and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use mastic?

Do not take mastic if you are allergic to any of the following:

  • Chios mastic gum
  • Gum mastic
  • Mastic
  • Mastiha
  • Pistacia lentiscus var. chia
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific mastic products they stock.

What should I know about mastic before using it?

Mastic is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep mastic out of the reach of children.

Herbal products, such as mastic, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific mastic product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way that the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Allergic skin reactions have been reported with topical use of mastic-containing products. It is not known if oral mastic supplements can cause similar reactions.

Proven antibiotic-based therapy is the best treatment option for H. pylori infection. Do not rely on mastic to treat these. If you have H. pylori, talk to your health care provider about your treatment options.

The FDA has not tested mastic products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using mastic?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if mastic is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Certain Allergies. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had allergies to pistachio, cashew, mango, or other plants in the Anacardiaceae (cashew) family. Some people with these types of allergies may also be allergic to mastic.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Before taking mastic, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Diabetes or high blood sugar levels
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how mastic could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if mastic passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does mastic interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between mastic and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect mastic.

Does mastic interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Tell your health care provider about all medicines you are taking before you start using mastic.

Based on limited research, mastic can interact with the following:

  • A medicine for diabetes, such as glipizide (Glucotrol) or metformin (Glucophage). Mastic may lower blood sugar levels. Taking it with diabetes medicines could increase the risk of low blood sugar.
  • A statin, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor and others) or rosuvastatin (Crestor), which is a medicine to lower cholesterol. Mastic may also lower cholesterol. The combined effect is not fully understood.
  • A blood pressure medicine, such as amlodipine (Norvasc), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), or losartan (Cozaar). Mastic may lower blood pressure. Taking it with blood pressure medicines could make the effect stronger than intended.

The interactions between mastic and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with mastic is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking mastic with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much mastic?

If you or someone else has used too much mastic, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Mastic is commonly sold as capsules or a powder. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to use mastic safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.