The science of Chios mastic

77% vs 40%marked symptom improvement, mastic vs placebo

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 148 people with indigestion, 77% taking Chios mastic reported marked symptom improvement, vs 40% on placebo. Dabos et al., J Ethnopharmacol 2010

90+ studies on Chios mastic

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Digestion

77% vs 40%

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 148 people with indigestion, 77% taking Chios mastic reported marked symptom improvement, vs 40% on placebo.

Dabos et al., J Ethnopharmacol 2010

Cholesterol

11.5 mg/dl

In the placebo-controlled CHIOS-MASTIHA study, people taking 1 g of Chios mastic a day lowered total cholesterol by an average of 11.5 mg/dl in 8 weeks.

Kartalis et al., Eur J Prev Cardiol 2016

Cholesterol

9% / 12%

In a 2024 placebo-controlled study, Chios mastiha oil capsules were linked to a 9% drop in total cholesterol and a 12% drop in LDL over 8 weeks, compared with baseline.

Kartalis et al., Hellenic J Cardiol 2024 (MASTIHA-OIL)

Mouth and teeth

158 to 26 ppb

In a 2025 double-blind trial, Chios mastic toothpaste cut a key bad-breath gas from 158 to 26 ppb in two weeks.

Alexiou et al., J Breath Res 2025

Digestion

Less bloating

In a 2025 clinical trial, Mastiha capsules significantly reduced bloating, upper-stomach burning and heartburn in people with indigestion.

Kleftaki et al., Pharmacol Res 2025

Digestion

EMA

Listed by the European Medicines Agency as a traditional herbal medicine for mild indigestion.

EMA/HMPC/46758/2015

Digestion

Gut microbiome

In a 6-month, 3-country placebo-controlled trial, Mastiha supplementation shifted the makeup of the gut microbiome.

Amerikanou et al., Mol Nutr Food Res 2021 (MAST4HEALTH)

H. pylori

1998

Studied for its effects on H. pylori since 1998, first reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Huwez et al., N Engl J Med 1998

Cholesterol

Triglycerides + LDL

In a 2023 randomized trial, Chios mastiha oil capsules improved triglycerides and LDL vs control in adults with metabolic risk factors.

Gioxari et al., Pharmacol Res 2023

Cholesterol

18 months

In an 18-month study of 133 adults over 50, daily Chios mastic powder was associated with lower total and LDL cholesterol.

Triantafyllou et al., J Ethnopharmacol 2007

Mouth and teeth

Less plaque

In a double-blind study, chewing mastic gum reduced plaque buildup on teeth compared with a placebo gum.

Takahashi et al., J Periodontol 2003

Mouth and teeth

15 minutes

In a controlled study, chewing mastic gum for 15 minutes left significantly fewer S. mutans bacteria in saliva than a placebo gum, an effect seen up to 2 hours later.

Aksoy et al., Arch Oral Biol 2006

Mouth and teeth

Braces

In people with braces, chewing mastic gum cut S. mutans, lactobacilli and total bacteria in saliva compared with a placebo gum.

Aksoy et al., Angle Orthod 2007

Mouth and teeth

3 weeks

In a 3-week study, people chewing plain mastic gum had significantly lower S. mutans levels in saliva than when they started.

Biria et al., J Dent (Tehran) 2014

Mouth and teeth

Mouthwash

In a double-blind trial, a mastic mouthwash significantly lowered a key bad-breath gas vs placebo.

Tsironi et al., Eur J Orthod 2023

Compounds

Triterpenic acids

Lab and animal research has identified the natural triterpenic acids in Chios mastic as its most active compounds.

Paraschos et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2007

Compounds

90+

90+ studies on Chios mastic, and hundreds of published studies on Pistacia lentiscus.

PubMed

These studies used mastic capsules, powder, oil or gum as noted.

Study results describe the people studied and are not a promise of individual results.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.