Learn About Mastic Gum – Use, Benefits and Side Effects

If you’ve been experiencing dental or digestion problems, mastic gum could help you feel better. Read more to find out what mastic gum is and what is being used for.

What is Mastic Gum?

Mastic gum is known by many names. Perhaps you’ve already heard of them – Mastika, Arabic gum, Yemen gum, and Lentisk.

Mastic gum is actually a resin collected from the tree with the same name. This resin has been used for centuries to improve digestion, combat bad breath and heal cuts on the skin. People have also been using it for IBD, peptic ulcers, respiratory problems and infections (bacterial and fungal). Apart from being popular in ayurvedic and holistic medicine, mastika is also used in dentistry, food making, and manufacturing.

Forms of Mastic Gum

Mastika is commonly sold as a supplement that you can add to your diet. It comes in the form of a tablet or capsule. You can also find it as mastika oil, mastic powder, and raw mastika. 

Is Mastic Gum the Same as Chewing Gum?

Nope. Chewing gum is a soft substance that has elastic-plastic properties. It consists of basic ingredients like gum base, resin, softeners, sweeteners, fillers, and flavorings. Although it offers some benefits, it’s completely different than mastic gum.

How It Can Help You

Mastika may help kill bacteria in the mouth and prevent gum diseases and cavities. Using toothpaste that contains mastika oil or chewing mastika gums everyday may reduce swelling, plaque buildup, and the number of bacteria in the mouth. If you’d like to keep your teeth healthy, mastika gum may be for you.

Furthermore, mastic gum may help relieve stomach problems. According to research in 2010, mastic gum can help combat indigestion (also known as dyspepsia), reducing abdominal pain and heartburn.

What We Don’t Know For Sure

Researchers still have a lot to explore in order to know for certain how effective mastic gum is in treating certain health conditions.

For example, another study in 2010 suggests that people dealing with gastric ulcers may also benefit from this natural medicine. However, there has not yet been done enough research on this subject.

Also, pilot studies suggest that mastic gum can be beneficial for people suffering from Crohn’s disease, and a stomach infection caused by H. pylori.

Some people believe this natural resin can be used to repel insects, improve blood circulation, and heal cuts, but this is yet to be seen.

Is Mastic Gum Safe?

The answer to this question is yes if taken as prescribed. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to take mastic gum. Don’t take more than suggested.

If you’re taking other remedies or supplements, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor about taking mastic gum. He will tell you whether the gum is safe for you or not.

If you’re pregnant, it’s best to stay clear from mastic gum products, due to above-mentioned lack of research. Also, if you happen to be allergic to Pistacia and Schinus Terebinthifolious plants, do not use this product.

Keep in mind that the effects of mastic gum on the children have not been researched. You should not give mastic gum to your kids.

Conclusion

Whether you’re interested in taking mastic gum capsules or using it raw, it’s best to seek professional advice first. If the doctor gives you green light, then you can give mastic gum capsules a try. Always take as prescribed.