Mastic gum is a resinous sap produced by the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia), a shrub native to the Mediterranean region. It is most famously produced on the Greek island of Chios, where the trees grow in a specific microclimate that produces the highest quality resin. The island has held a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for mastic since 1997.
Historical use in Lebanon and the region
Mastic has been used in Lebanese, Greek, Turkish, and broader Middle Eastern cuisine and medicine for thousands of years. In Lebanon, it is a traditional ingredient in sweets like maamoul and ice cream, and in the distilled spirit arak. It has also been used in traditional folk medicine as a digestive botanical, a use that predates modern supplement culture by millennia.
What does mastic contain?
Mastic resin is composed of a complex mixture of triterpenic acids, including masticadienonic acid and isomasticadienonic acid, along with a polymer fraction. It also contains a range of volatile terpenes that give mastic its distinctive pine-like aroma. The antibacterial properties of mastic against Helicobacter pylori in particular have been the subject of significant research interest since the late 1990s.
Traditional digestive use
Mastic has been used for centuries to support digestive comfort, particularly in the stomach. It is one of the most studied natural products for digestive health, and its use in the Mediterranean region aligns well with the growing interest in traditional botanical remedies.
Available product
Supplements & More carries Vitamatic Mastic Gum 1000 mg (120 capsules). This is a particularly relevant product for Lebanese customers given the cultural familiarity with mastic in food and traditional use. Imported from the United States, delivered across Lebanon with cash on delivery.