Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Mastic gum, a resin obtained from the Pistacia lentiscus tree, has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in the Mediterranean region. In recent decades, several scientific studies have investigated its potential benefits for gastrointestinal disorders, including duodenal ulcers. The proposed mechanism involves mastic gum’s antibacterial activity, especially against Helicobacter pylori—a bacterium implicated in the majority of duodenal ulcers—as well as its anti-inflammatory and mucosal protective effects.

Some small-scale clinical trials and in vitro studies have shown that mastic gum can inhibit the growth of H. pylori and promote healing of peptic ulcers. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine (1998) found that patients taking mastic gum for two weeks experienced symptomatic improvement and some reduction in ulcer size. However, the sample sizes were limited and the studies generally lacked rigorous controls or used crude preparations.

Larger, more rigorous studies are needed to conclusively determine its efficacy, but current evidence does suggest some scientific basis for the use of mastic gum in managing duodenal ulcers, albeit modest. Therefore, while the tradition is strong, scientific validation is emerging but not yet robust, warranting a conservative rating of 2 out of 5 for evidence strength.

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