Western Herbalism
Mastic
Pistacia lentiscus
Also known as Mastic gum, Chios mastic, Mastich.
Resin exclusively from Pistacia lentiscus L. var. Chia (Chios mastic gum) recognized by as traditional herbal medicinal product Complies with Ph. Eur. monograph 1876 Used traditionally since antiquity for GI and skin issues Antimicrobial esp. vs H. pylori and oral pathogens Hypolipidemic effects in trials
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Heartburn
- Minor skin inflammations
- IBD symptoms
- Mild dyspeptic disorders
- Epigastric pain
- Belching
- Potential H. pylori infection
- Functional dyspepsia
- Crohn's disease symptoms
- Minor wounds
- Abdominal discomfort
- Stomach pain
- Healing aid
- Abdominal distension
- Bloating
- Colic
- Digestive discomfort
- Flatulence
- Gas
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Liver disease
- Wounds
- Pain
- Digestive complaints
- Oxidative stress
- High cholesterol
- Hyperlipidemia
Safety
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Caution
Breastfeeding: Lactation (source flag notSafeInLactation)
The record lists 2 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Powdered resin oral: 0.5-1 g 2x daily (daily 1-2 g), up to 2 weeks | 500-1000 mg | |
| Powdered resin | Powdered resin 9-11% in semi-solid cutaneous, thin layer up to 3x daily, up to 1 week | |
| Clinical trials: 350 mg 3x daily (1.05 g/day) for dyspepsia 3 weeks | 350-350 mg | |
| 2-2.8 g/day for IBD | 2000-2800 mg |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Clinical Notes. Resin exclusively from Pistacia lentiscus L. var. Chia (Chios mastic gum) recognized by as traditional herbal medicinal product Complies with Ph. Eur. monograph 1876 Used traditionally since antiquity for GI and skin issues Antimicrobial esp. vs H. pylori and oral pathogens Hypolipidemic effects in trials
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This pill is cathartic in doses of from 2 to 4 pills. It has been found very useful in dyspepsia, constipation, jaundice, amenorrhoea, and in all ordinary cases where cathartics are required.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This pill is employed in treating amenorrhoea, accompanied by constipation, in debilitated and anemic women. Dose, 1 to 3 pills. Small doses should be administered for some little time previous to the menstrual periods.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This is a modification of Lady Webster's Dinner Pills. The mastiche retards the solubility of the pill so that its chief action is exerted on the large intestine, hastening rectal evacuation. Used for constipation and gastro-intestinal torpor. Dose, 1 pill (each pill contains about 2 grains of aloes) at dinner or at bedtime.
Drawn from King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd), and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
Often paired with
aloe veraAloe vera
Socotrine aloesAloes socotrina
Red roseRosa Gallica
FennelFoeniculum vulgare
IpecacCarapichea ipecacuanha
Licorice rootGlycyrrhiza glabraNearby on the shelf
Marking nutSemecarpus anacardium
Marsh ParsleySelinum
Marsh rosemaryStatice caroliniana
MarshmallowAlthaea officinalis
MaticoArtanthe elongata
May applePodophyllum peltatum
May changLitsea cubeba
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