IS CHIOS MASTIC GUM EFFECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA? A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMISED DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO CONTROLLED TRIAL.

IS CHIOS MASTIC GUM EFFECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA? A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMISED DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO CONTROLLED TRIAL.

J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Dec 1;

Authors: Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Frantzi D, Amygdalos GI, Giannikopoulos G

BACKGROUND: Herbal remedies are increasingly popular for the treatment of functional dyspepsia. Chios mastic gum is a resinous exudate from the stem of Pistacia lentiscus var.chia. It is a traditional natural remedy used throughout the eastern Mediterranean. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Chios mastic gum in patients with functional dyspepsia. METHODS: One hundred and forty eight patients fulfilling Rome II criteria for functional dyspepsia were randomly assigned to receive either Chios mastic gum 350mg three times daily or placebo. After three weeks of treatment the change from baseline in the severity of symptoms of functional dyspepsia was assessed using the Hong Kong index of dyspepsia. Patients’ global assessment of efficacy was also evaluated. RESULTS: The symptom score after treatment was significantly lower in the Chios mastic gum than in the placebo group ((14,78+/-1,78) vs (19,96+/-1,83)) (p<0,05). There was a marked improvement of symptoms in 40% of patients receiving placebo and in 77% of patients receiving Chios mastic gum (p<0.02). Individual symptoms that showed significant improvement with Chios mastic gum were: Stomach pain in general, stomach pain when anxious, dull ache in the upper abdomen and heartburn (<0.05 for all four symptoms). CONCLUSION: Chios mastic gum significantly improves symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia compared to placebo.

Dr.Steve’s BOTTOM LINE: In case you’re wondering, functional dyspepsia is the medical term for indigestion.  While it is technically not heartburn, the two conditions overlap and this herbal gum helps most or all of indigestion symptoms, including heartburn.  It has been widely used in Mediterranean and Mideast countries for at least 3,000 years.  Other studies show that it has antimicrobial, antacid and protective effects on the stomach lining or mucosa.  So, since it has some significant scientific proof, consider it.  However, make sure you check with your doctor to make sure you don’t have something more serious going on, like ulcers and precancerous changes in your esophagus.