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Acid Reflux

Treat Stomach Ulcers Naturally With Mastic Gum

May 26, 2017

Mastic gum has been used for centuries in the Mediterranean region as a medicine for healing ulcers in the digestive tract. It is a sticky substance, derived from the bark of the mastic tree. In particular, there is increasing evidence of the substance being very effective against the H. pylori bacteria. H. pylori affects nearly 50% of the world’s population. Most gastrointestinal and duodenal ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, are caused by H. pylori. Let’s look at some benefits of this substance.

Kills H. pylori

study has proven the effect of mastic gum against H. pylori bacteria. In the study, 52 patients who were suffering from an H. pylori infection were given mastic gum for a period of 10 to 14 days. The eradication of H. pylori was reported in a majority of the patients. Another study has shown that even low doses of the gum can cure peptic ulcers rapidly.

Keeps Stomach Healthy

Typically, H. pylori does not cause any pain or ulcers. But if the bacteria gets active, it can cause gastrointestinal problems. Frequent chewing of the substance helps in keeping the stomach healthy and relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion. Mastic gum is also an effective dietary supplement for heartburn or acid reflux.

Can Fight Stomach Cancer

A study conducted in Japan studied the relationship between H-pylori bacteria and gastric cancer. It showed the eradication of H. Pylori can help in the prevention of gastric cancer. Since mastic gum is a proven to be effective in eradicating H. Pylori, it can help in fighting stomach cancer.

Mahesh Jayaraman
Mahesh is a hormone health counsellor & holistic health expert. He has a Mastery Certification in Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis from the US, is certified in Functional Nutrition from Washington State University and uses a wide array of healing modalities to guide his clients to vibrant health and well-being.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19879118

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199812243392618#t=article

 

Fukase K, Kato M, Kikuchi S, Inoue K, Uemura N, Okamoto S, Terao S, Amagai K, Hayashi S, Asaka M; Japan Gast Study Group. Effect of eradication of Helicobacter pylori on incidence of metachronous gastric carcinoma after endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer: an open-label, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2008 Aug 2;372(9636):392-7. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61159-9. PubMed PMID: 18675689.

Karygianni L, Cecere M, Skaltsounis AL, Argyropoulou A, Hellwig E, Aligiannis N, Wittmer A, Al-Ahmad A. High-level antimicrobial efficacy of representative Mediterranean natural plant extracts against oral microorganisms. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:839019. doi: 10.1155/2014/839019. Epub 2014 Jun 26. PubMed PMID: 25054150; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4098616.

Farhad U. Huwez, Debbie Thirlwell, Alan Cockayne, et al. Mastic Gum Kills Helicobacter pylori. The New England Journal of Medicine (1998).

Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Giannikopoulos G. The effect of mastic gum on Helicobacter pylori: a randomized pilot study. Phytomedicine. 2010 Mar;17(3-4):296-9. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2009.09.010. Epub 2009 Oct 29. PubMed PMID: 19879118.