Mastica Digest 1 g by Allergy Research Group

Mastic gum suits adults with occasional upper-stomach discomfort, fullness after meals or mild indigestion who want a traditional botanical option. It is not the tool for heartburn that needs acid control, and it does not stand in for a medical work-up. If your symptoms are persistent, get checked first: a Helicobacter Pylori Antigen test is a sensible starting point, and trouble swallowing, unintended weight loss, vomiting or black stools need prompt medical attention.

Mastic is the resin of Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, a tree grown on the Greek island of Chios, where the resin has been chewed and used for digestive complaints for centuries. It contains triterpenic acids that are thought to support the stomach's protective lining. In laboratory studies mastic slows the growth of H. pylori, and a few small trials in people with indigestion reported better comfort than placebo. In studies of H. pylori itself the results are mixed, and mastic does not replace the prescription regimens used for that infection.

The label directs 1 capsule twice daily between meals. The Supplement Facts panel counts 2 capsules as one serving, which together provide 1 g of mastic resin, so the two capsules the directions call for in a day supply that amount. Take each capsule with water. If taking it away from food unsettles your stomach, ask your clinician whether to take it with a meal. The label gives no time limit, so ask how long to continue.

No drug interactions are well established. Mastic comes from the same plant genus as pistachio, so check with your allergist first if you have a pistachio or cashew allergy. It has not been studied in pregnancy or nursing; as the label says, consult your practitioner before use if you are pregnant or lactating, have any health condition or take any medication.

Give it 2 to 4 weeks before judging; the small trials that reported a benefit ran for a few weeks, and the effect is gradual. Unlike antacids or acid-suppressing medicines, mastic does not neutralize or reduce stomach acid, so it will not give fast relief of heartburn. Side effects are uncommon and mild, mostly nausea, constipation or loose stools. If nothing has changed after a month, stop and revisit the cause with your clinician.