• Weil Nutrition Corner
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Origins
  • Healthy Aging
  • Marketplace
  • Podcasts
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Nutrition
    Recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    Vitamins
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    Health Tips
    Spontaneous Happiness
  • Mushrooms
  • Sleep
Press "Enter" to search
Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Nutrition
    Recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    Vitamins
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    Health Tips
    Spontaneous Happiness
  • Mushrooms
  • Sleep
  • Weil Nutrition Corner
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Origins
  • Healthy Aging
  • Marketplace
  • Podcasts
  • Accessibility
  1. Home
  2. Health & Wellness
  3. Body, Mind & Spirit
  4. Dental & Oral

Medicate With Mastic Gum?

Do you have any experience with or observations of mastic gum used as medicine?

Andrew Weil, M.D. | March 5, 2009

Mastic tears of Chios to use as varnish for paintings
1 min

Mastic is a sticky substance exuded from the branches and trunk of the mastic tree (Pistaccia lentiscus var. chia), which grows in the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa. The sweetest-smelling variety comes primarily from trees on the Greek island of Chios. Mastic gum has been chewed for at thousands of years to soothe upset stomachs, ease gastritis, and freshen the breath.

I discussed your question with Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., an internationally recognized expert in the fields of integrative medicine, dietary supplements and women’s health and an authority on botanical medicine. She told me that researchers have found that mastic gum kills many of the oral bacteria that cause bad breath and promote cavities, which is why it’s included in a variety of toothpastes and mouthwashes. Some evidence also suggests that it can help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. For this reason, you’ll often find mastic gum in supplements for heartburn, usually in combination with deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), a natural remedy I often recommend for stomach irritation.

Dr. Low Dog also told me that doctors use a liquid adhesive called Mastisol that contains mastic gum to help keep bandages in place. In addition, you can find this natural product in a number of topical ointments and salves for minor wounds and scrapes. Some evidence suggests that the essential oil in the gum is responsible for its antibacterial activity.

The most recent scientific findings on mastic gum come from a study performed in Greece showing reduced total cholesterol and LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and an improvement of total cholesterol/HDL ratio among volunteers over the age of 50 who took five grams of mastic powder per day. The same study showed improvement in levels of some proteins involved in cholesterol transport. While checking its safety, the researchers noted mastic induced a reduction in certain liver enzymes and concluded that the Chios mastic powder used in their study could have protective effects on the heart and liver. The study was published in the April 20, 2007 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Advertisement
Related Weil Products

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging - Your Online Guide to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet!

Everything you need to get started eating a healthful, satisfying diet is here – including eating and shopping guides, over 300 recipes, and an exclusive version of Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid! Start your 14-day free trial now – and start eating anti-inflammatory today!
Get Started
Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Baby girl standing with a shocked face. Image taken with NIKON D800 camera system and developed from camera RAW
Dental & Oral

A Funny-Looking Tongue?

Two senior multi-ethnic woman, one Caucasian and the other African American, sitting in back yard by water enjoying each other's company. They are looking at each other, laughing.
Dental & Oral

A Threat From the Zinc in Denture Adhesive?

caring african medical nurse comforting senior patient in office
Dental & Oral

Are Dental Implants Safe?

A male patient reclining in the dentist's chair smiles happily up as his dentist looks down at him, patting his shoulder reassuringly.
Dental & Oral

Are Dental Sealants Safe?

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Dr. Weil's Signature

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

© Copyright 2025 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com