Mastic

Scientific Name(s): Pistacia lentiscus L.
Common Name(s): Lentisk, Mastic, Mastich, Mastick (tree), Mastix

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 21, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

The purported uses of mastic are diverse. The resin has been used in cancer, infection, surgical wound adhesion, and benign gastric ulcers. Other traditional uses include as an antioxidant and as an insecticide, and for treatment of high cholesterol, Crohn disease, diabetes, and hypertension. However, clinical trials are lacking to support these uses.

Dosing

Mastic resin at a dosage of 1 g daily has been studied for the treatment of duodenal ulcer. Various commercial products are available to help eliminate H. pylori bacterium in the stomach (implicated in a number of GI complaints), including Mastika, which contains mastic gum 250 mg in capsule form. Manufacturer dosage guidelines recommend 4 capsules orally before bed for 2 weeks, followed by a maintenance dosage of 2 capsules daily.

Contraindications

Avoid use in individuals with hypersensitivity to pollen or to any of the ingredients of mastic gum.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Most adverse reactions are associated with hypersensitivity to the plant species or with allergic reactions.

Toxicology

Most toxic effects involve allergic reactions.

Scientific Family

• Anacardiaceae

Botany

Mastic is a gum or resin collected from an evergreen, dioecious shrub, which can grow to approximately 3 m in height. The shrub is native to the Mediterranean region, primarily the Greek island of Chios. Its leaves are green, leathery, and oval. Its small flowers grow in clusters and are reddish to green. The fruit is an orange-red drupe that ripens to black.

Mastic is tapped from June to August via numerous, longitudinal gouges made in the tree bark. An oleoresin exudes and hardens into a teardrop shape that is approximately the size of a pea (3 mm). The transparent, yellow-green resin is collected every 15 days. If chewed, the resin becomes plastic-like, with a balsamic/turpentine-like odor and taste.Chevalier 1996, Evans 1996, Lawless 1995, Windholz 1989, Youngken 1950

Mastic resembles the resin sanderach (obtained from Tetraclinis articulata), although sanderach does not have the chewable qualities of mastic.Evans 1996, Lawless 1995 A related species is Pistacia vera, the pistachio nut.

History

Mastic resin was used in ancient Egypt as incense and to embalm the dead.Chevalier 1996 It has also been used as a breath sweetener and is chewed to preserve the teeth and gums. Mastic resin has been used as a flavoring in puddings, sweets, and cakes, and as the basis of a Greek liqueur called 'mastiche.'Pistacia 2017

Commercial applications of mastic resin include as an adherent for protecting luster in glass, porcelain, bone, wood, and metal. Mastic resin is used in alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, in some cosmetic mixtures and perfumes, in dentistry as an ingredient in filling material, and in toothpaste. The resin has been used traditionally as a chewing gum and for protection against lip dryness.Duru 2003

Chemistry

Mastic is an oleoresin containing approximately 2% volatile oil.Evans 1996, Windholz 1...