Mastic gum for H. pylori: evidence and what to expect
Mastic gum has real clinical evidence that supports its use as a treatment for H. pylori. Roughly one in three people clear the infection with mastic alone, and combining mastic with antibiotics boosts that to over 90%.12
H. pylori is a stubborn stomach bacterium that causes a range of gastrointestinal problems and resists treatment because it constantly adapts to survive your immune system.34
Does mastic work against H. pylori?
Clinical research shows that mastic works against H. pylori. In a 2010 study, roughly one in three patients who used a mastic-only treatment were able to eliminate H. pylori completely.1 When combined with standard antibiotic triple therapy, mastic treatment pushed eradication rates from 63% to 92% in a 2023 trial of 180 patients.2
Success against the stomach infection looks different for everyone. It’s measured in two ways: symptom relief and eradication.
For most people who try mastic, the improvement of symptoms means less pain, digestive discomfort, and bloating, even when bacterial levels of H. pylori haven’t dropped to zero. Despite the infection not being completely gone, patients feel a notable difference after they take mastic. While symptom improvement isn’t considered “the gold standard” when it comes to treatment outcomes, it is still a valid marker of success because the treatment helped people feel better in their day to day lives (which is ultimately the reason why people start treatment in the first place).
Eradication of the infection is achieved when there are zero detectable signs of H. pylori. This outcome is confirmed by urea breath tests (UBTs) or stool antigen tests, which check for the presence of the pathogen after completing treatment protocol.
Check out our full evidence overview and discussion article for more details.
How to use mastic for H. pylori
Pure mastic powder or swallowed capsules (which contain mastic powder) are what the research groups used.1 Patients took either 350 mg or 1,050 mg per dose, three times per day for 14 days.
For the full in-depth protocol and dosing, read more on how mastic should be taken for H. pylori.
What to expect over the first few weeks
After starting mastic protocol, most people experience the improvement of their symptoms within the first week or two. The most common points of relief are less bloating, reduced gut discomfort, and lower amounts of pain. After a total of four weeks (two weeks of taking mastic and two weeks observing symptoms), the next few weeks help make sure those improvements hold. During this window, patients can retest for H. pylori presence to confirm eradication.
Our detailed week-by-week breakdown will explain the reasoning behind this timeline.
Is mastic gum safe?
Yes, mastic gum is safe to consume. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has registered Chios mastic as a traditional herbal medicine for mild dyspeptic and gastrointestinal disorders.56 While it’s not currently FDA approved, it’s still an official regulatory body recognizing a legitimate use case for mastic.
Mastic has been tested as a treatment for a number of health issues across decades of research. Different research groups have all confirmed no harm to patients’ safety when using mastic for duodenal ulcers,7 Crohn’s disease,8 and diabetic gastroparesis.9
To tie everything together, a health overview published in 2022 examined the available clinical research literature that focused on mastic gum. After their analysis, they concluded that consuming mastic is generally considered safe.10 Side effects can still occur, but are very rare and mild if they do appear. The most common symptoms are stomach discomfort and loose stools, but these mainly come at higher doses.
For H. pylori in particular, all patients who were given mastic tolerated it well with zero serious adverse events or side effects occurring.1
People with a sensitive gut or existing gut issues should talk to a doctor before starting mastic to discuss how it may affect them. Those who are following a medication regimen should also consult with a doctor before starting, as adding mastic may negatively interfere with prescribed medication.
People who haven’t seen much symptom improvement after the first two weeks of mastic-only protocol (no antibiotics) may consider extending their treatment to 4-6 weeks. While this is clinical practice, published research studies do not cover this (as they haven’t done it). Before extending, talk with a doctor.
If you’ve experienced symptom relief after taking mastic, but notice that your symptoms gradually return to how they felt pre-treatment, consult with your doctor. If you complete your mastic protocol and still retest positive for H. pylori infection, talk with your doctor about next steps. In both cases, H. pylori may still be active, so it would be best to discuss the potential options moving forward (like antibiotic combination therapy or retesting).
Next steps
If you’re looking to learn more about mastic’s impact on H. pylori, see the full analysis and in-depth research discussion.
If you’re interested in learning more about the mastic protocol for H. pylori, visit the dosage and timing guide.
If you’re curious about what to expect after starting the mastic protocol, check out our article on how long to take mastic gum for H. pylori.
If you want more safety information about mastic gum, you can check out our article on the safety profile of mastic.
If you want more information about how mastic gum can help with acid reflux, discover what the research shows.
To learn more about the benefits of mastic gum, you can check out our general information guide.
Does mastic gum kill H. pylori?
Yes, research shows that mastic gum does eliminate H. pylori. When taking mastic gum alone, roughly one third of patients in a 2010 study achieved eradication of H. pylori (complete elimination of the pathogen and stomach infection).1 In a 2023 study where mastic was used alongside antibiotics, eradication rates increased from 63% to 92%, when compared to antibiotic treatment alone.2
Do I need to see a doctor before starting mastic?
You should talk with your doctor before you start taking mastic, especially if you have a sensitive gut or existing gut issues. Anyone who is on prescribed medication should also see a doctor, to confirm whether or not taking mastic can negatively impact your current regimen.
Should I try mastic first or only try it after antibiotics alone don’t work?
If you are currently on a prescribed antibiotics regimen, continue following your doctor’s instructions. You can discuss if adding mastic would help in your situation, as research shows that taking mastic along with antibiotics increased the H. pylori eradication rate to 92%, up from 63% from taking antibiotics alone.2 If you are not currently on prescribed antibiotics, research shows that roughly one in three patients were able to achieve eradication when taking mastic by itself.1
How safe is mastic gum?
Mastic has safely been tested against duodenal ulcers,7 Crohn’s disease,8 and diabetic gastroparesis9 by different researchers over a span of decades, without causing harm to patients. It is also registered as a traditional herbal medicine for mild dyspeptic and gastrointestinal disorders by the European Medicines Agency (EMA),56 and has been labeled as generally safe to consume by an in-depth research analysis.10
Can I take mastic with a PPI?
Probably not. In one study, mastic combined with a PPI (pantoprazole) showed zero eradication.1 It underperformed both mastic alone and mastic plus antibiotics. If you’re on a PPI, talk to your doctor before adding mastic.
How should I take mastic gum for my H. pylori infection?
In the studies that showed activity against H. pylori, mastic was taken as a swallowed supplement (powder and capsules).1 Chewing the resin is the right form for acid reflux and oral health, but mastic powder is best when it comes to improving gut health issues. Read more on how to take mastic for H. pylori.
What is the goal if I take mastic gum for H. pylori?
The improvement of symptoms (feeling better) is considered the main goal. Eradication of H. pylori is a higher standard of success, as it is more difficult to achieve than symptom relief. Check out our evidence discussion article for the full analysis.
References
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Dabos, Konstantinos J., et al. “The Effect of Mastic Gum on Helicobacter pylori: A Randomized Pilot Study.” Phytomedicine 17, no. 3-4 (2010): 296-299. doi.org. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
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Addissouky, T. A., et al. “Assessing the Efficacy of a Modified Triple Drug Regimen Supplemented with Mastic Gum in the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Infection.” American Journal of Clinical Pathology 160, Suppl. 1 (2023): S19. doi.org. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Atherton, John C., et al. “Coadaptation of Helicobacter pylori and Humans: Ancient History, Modern Implications.” The Journal of Clinical Investigation 119, no. 9 (2009): 2475-2487. doi.org. ↩
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Fan, Jiawei, et al. “Strategies of Helicobacter pylori in Evading Host Innate and Adaptive Immunity: Insights and Prospects for Therapeutic Targeting.” Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 14 (2024): 1342913. doi.org. ↩
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“Assessment Report on Pistacia lentiscus L., Resin (Mastix).” European Medicines Agency. 2015. ema.europa.eu. ↩ ↩2
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“Mastic.” European Medicines Agency. ema.europa.eu. ↩ ↩2
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Al-Habbal, M. J., Z. Al-Habbal, and F. U. Huwez. “A Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial of Mastic and Placebo in the Treatment of Duodenal Ulcer.” Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology 11, no. 5 (1984): 541-544. doi.org. ↩ ↩2
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Kaliora, Andriana C., et al. “Chios Mastic Treatment of Patients with Active Crohn’s Disease.” World Journal of Gastroenterology 13, no. 5 (2007): 748-753. doi.org. ↩ ↩2
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Kant, Ravi, et al. “Real-World Safety and Effectiveness of Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic Gum) in Patients with Diabetic Gastroparesis: 24-Week Interim Analysis Postintervention.” Indian Journal of Pharmacology 56, no. 1 (2024): 4-9. doi.org. ↩ ↩2
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Soulaidopoulos, Stergios, Aikaterini Tsiogka, Christina Chrysohoou, et al. “Overview of Chios Mastic Gum (Pistacia lentiscus) Effects on Human Health.” Nutrients 14, no. 3 (2022): 590. doi.org. ↩ ↩2