Genuine Chios mastic comes from 1 part of 1 Greek island, and its name has been protected in Europe since 1997. It is sold as raw tears, chewing gum and capsules.
Each form suits a different job, and the dose follows the form.
Quick Answer: Chewing Gum or Capsules, and How Much?
Chew tears or gum if the goal is the mouth, because the oral studies used chewing. Swallow capsules if the goal is the stomach. The EMA range for mild dyspepsia is 1 to 2 g a day, and the trials used 1.05 to 1.4 g. Masticha Chiou has been a protected origin name since 1997.
Key Takeaways
- Masticha Chiou has been a protected designation of origin since 1997.
- It is produced only in the southern part of 1 Greek island.
- Chewing suits the mouth, and the oral studies used 15 minutes of chewing.
- The EMA range for mild dyspepsia is 1 to 2 g daily.
- Our label is 1 capsule a day, so 60 last 2 months.
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What Chios Mastic Is
Mastic comes from Pistacia lentiscus var. chia, and the traditional source is the south of Chios. The resin seeps from cuts in the bark and hardens in drops called tears.
- Plant: Pistacia lentiscus var. chia, an evergreen shrub.
- Region: Southern Chios, in the northern Aegean.
- Raw form: Translucent pale yellow tears.
- Main modern use: Natural chewing gum.
A 2022 review states that Chios mastiha is produced exclusively in the southern part of the island.[1]Overview of Chios Mastic Gum (Pistacia lentiscus) Effects on Human Health — Nutrients (2022) View source The research behind each claimed use is in the full evidence map.
What PDO Means
A protected designation of origin ties a product name to a defined place and method. For mastic it has existed for almost 3 decades.
- Protected name: Masticha Chiou.
- Type: Protected Designation of Origin.
- Class: Natural gums and resins.
- First registered in the EU: 24 January 1997.
The UK register still lists the name with its original EU registration date.[2]Masticha Chiou, protected designation of origin — UK Protected Food Names register View source Our label states 1000 mg of mastic resin and does not carry the PDO name, so we do not claim it.
Tears, Gum, Capsules and Powder
The forms are not interchangeable, because they reach different parts of the body.
| Form | Where it acts | What the evidence used it for |
|---|---|---|
| Raw tears, chewed | Mouth | Plaque and saliva bacteria |
| Mastic chewing gum | Mouth | Plaque and saliva bacteria |
| Toothpaste | Mouth | Bad breath, 1 trial |
| Capsules or powder | Stomach | Dyspepsia and H. pylori trials |
If the goal is the mouth, the studies on what chewing does for plaque used chewing rather than swallowing.
How Much, by Source
Doses differ more between sources than between forms, and the regulator's range is the sensible anchor.
| Source | Amount of mastic per day | Length |
|---|---|---|
| EMA monograph, mild dyspepsia | 1 to 2 g, as 0.5 to 1 g twice | 2 weeks, then see a doctor |
| Functional dyspepsia trial, 2010 | 1.05 g, as 350 mg 3 times | 3 weeks |
| Functional dyspepsia trial, 2025 | 1.4 g in capsules | 4 weeks |
| Cholesterol trial, 2016 | 1 g | 8 weeks |
| Our label | 1 g, 1 capsule | 60 days per bottle |
The EMA sets 0.5 to 1 g twice daily for mild dyspeptic disorders and a doctor visit if symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks.[3]European Union herbal monograph on Pistacia lentiscus L., resina (mastic) — European Medicines Agency View source Higher amounts, up to 4 g a day, were used in H. pylori studies without better results.[4]Mastic gum has no effect on Helicobacter pylori load in vivo — Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2003) View source
Timing and Food
No trial compared timings, so everything here is convention rather than evidence.
- Split doses: The 2010 dyspepsia trial used 3 a day.
- With or without food: Not compared in any trial.
- Waiting to eat: No evidence for a waiting period.
- Our label: 1 capsule daily, with food or without.
A 2025 crossover trial used 1.4 g a day in capsules for 4 weeks in functional dyspepsia.[5]A randomized, three-way crossover clinical trial on the efficacy of Mastiha based therapies (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) in functional dyspepsia — Pharmacological Research (2025) View source It did not test timing either, and timing matters less than who should not take it.
What We Do Not Sell It For
Some popular uses have no evidence, and 1 carries a risk of its own.
- Jawline chewing: 0 studies, and hours of hard chewing strains the jaw joint.
- Replacing antibiotics: Mastic alone cleared 4 or 5 of 13.
- Whitening teeth: 0 studies.
- SIBO: 0 PubMed records.
Allergy and pregnancy cautions apply to every form of mastic, chewed or swallowed.
Choosing Well
A short checklist covers most buying decisions for mastic in any form.
- Match the form to the goal: Chew for the mouth, swallow for the stomach.
- Check the amount: Grams per day, not capsules per day.
- Check the origin claim: PDO product names Masticha Chiou.
- Set a review point: 2 weeks for indigestion, per the EMA.
For the stomach, Remedy's Mastic Gum capsules give 1 g per capsule, and 60 capsules last 2 months at 1 a day.
Speak to a Clinician Before Taking Mastic Gum If
- You have tested positive for H. pylori, which needs prescribed treatment and 1 retest
- You have black stools, vomiting, weight loss or difficulty swallowing
- You react to pistachio, cashew, Mastisol skin adhesive or other tree resins
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding, where the EMA does not recommend mastic
- Your indigestion lasts longer than 2 weeks, the EMA limit for self-care
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chios mastic gum used for? +
Mostly as natural chewing gum. As a traditional herbal medicine, the EMA accepts it for mild dyspepsia at 1 to 2 g a day.
Which brand of mastic gum is considered the best? +
No trial compared brands. Look for the amount in grams and, for Chios origin, the protected name Masticha Chiou, registered in 1997.
Can you take mastic gum every day? +
Trials used it daily for 2 weeks to 6 months. For indigestion the EMA advises a doctor if symptoms last past 2 weeks.
Should you take mastic gum on an empty stomach? +
No trial compared empty and full stomachs. Our label allows 1 capsule with food or without.
How long to eat after taking mastic gum? +
There is no evidence for any waiting period. 0 trials tested the timing of meals around mastic.
What is PDO mastic? +
Masticha Chiou is a protected designation of origin, first registered in the EU on 24 January 1997, for mastic from southern Chios.
Are mastic tears the same as mastic gum capsules? +
The resin is the same, but tears are chewed and act in the mouth. Capsules hold about 1 g of powdered resin to swallow.
How much mastic gum per day? +
The EMA range is 1 to 2 g a day for mild dyspepsia. The trials used 1.05 to 1.4 g for that purpose.
How long does a bottle of 60 capsules last? +
2 months at 1 capsule a day, or 1 month at 2 capsules a day, which is still inside the EMA range.
Is Greek mastic different from other mastic? +
The Chios variety, var. chia, is the one used in almost every trial. Only mastic from southern Chios may use the 1997 protected name.
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