Chios mastiha has been well known ever since antiquity, for its medicinal and pharmaceutical properties.
But what about mood elevation levels , and the mastica's contribution to Greek kefi ?
Mastica of Chios is a unique in Greece spice element incoroporated in the Greek daily life in many aspects . It is used in cooking and also cosnumed strait as a gum or as ypovrichio
Nowadays, it has been gradually revealed by the scientific community, (through accurate and scientifically acceptable methods based on laboratory research and clinical studies carried out by independent researchers in Greece and abroad,) that natural Chios mastiha is gifted with unique beneficial and therapeutic properties, thus confirming what has been historically recorded over the past.
Scientific evidence has confirmed Mastiha’s beneficial action against disorders of the peptic system, its contribution to oral hygiene, its significant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action, as well as the fact that it constitutes a natural antioxidant agent. In addition to that, Chios mastiha contributes to wound healing and skin regeneration.
Important research studies regarding Chios mastiha’s medicinal and pharmaceutical action have been published in international scientific journals.
Mastiha’s action in terms of prevention and treatment of peptic system diseases
The results of recent scientific studies related to mastiha’s therapeutic action with regard to disorders of the peptic system are especially worth-mentioning.
Ever since antiquity, it had been known that Chios mastiha had a strong positive effect in stomach comfort, e.g. relieving from gastrointestinal disorders, dyspepsia, gastralgia (stomach ache), peptic ulcers, etc.
In our times, scientific, laboratory but also clinical studies have confirmed the aforementioned significant action of Chios mastiha. The first research efforts were carried out in university foundations and clinics of the Arab world, areas where the use of Chios mastiha was and still is widespread even in practical medicine concoctions.
The association between peptic ulcer diseases and mental health problems
According to a recent study conducted by the Division of Chronic Disease Surveillance, a division of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Psychological problems, such as severe stress, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and psychological counseling, were associated with PUD prevalence.
Among the 14,266 participants over 19-years old, 813 participants (5.6%) had PUD. Compared to the non-PUD group (n = 13,453), the PUD group had a significantly higher percentage of males, current smokers, and heavy drinkers, lower education status, lower income, and greater presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and mental health problems, including severe stress, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and psychological counseling history. After adjustment for lifestyle and medical and environmental factors, mental health problems were found to be associated with a significantly higher risk for PUD.
(Previous studies found that there was a relationship between PUD and psychological problems; however, this study specifically identified significant association between PUD and mental health problems including severe stress, depressive mood, and suicidal ideation, and further clarified that an increased number of mental health problems in a subject were significantly associated with prevalence of PUD)
Other Mastic Properties Chios Mastiha as a protective agent against atherosclerosis Nowadays, there has been an intense scientific interest regarding the use of natural antioxidant agents as protective means against the atherosclerosis disease. Because of their composition, these substances offer protection against the formation of atheromatous plaques, thus preventing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart diseases. The presence of phenolic molecules, triterpenic compounds as well as phytosterols among Chios mastiha’s components is particularly important because of their action against the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and that is a significant evidence for its potential antioxidant effect. Research activity in that field is still in an experimental stage. In any case, the results that have been published up to now are particularly encouraging and indicate a strong possibility of using mastiha as a natural antioxidant agent. Chios Mastiha in relation to oral hygiene and dental research Scientific studies have proved that chewing Chios mastiha is very helpful for gum exercise, along with all its relevant beneficial effects in dental health. It has been further confirmed that Chios mastiha, unlike ordinary chewing gums, induces greater salivation due to its particular taste and its relative hardness, something that gives a greater feel of mouth freshness and cleanness, while it has been also proved to be relieving for people suffering from dry mouth, a disorder especially common among elderly persons. In addition, researchers have carried out numerous scientific and clinical studies regarding mastiha’s and Chios mastiha chewing gum’s action in decreasing microbial plaque formation and eliminating bacterial growth inside the oral cavity. Antimicrobial action of Chios Mastiha essential oil Significant research activity has been carried out regarding the antimicrobial action of mastiha’s essential oil – mastiha oil. Researchers have studied in particular that when mastiha oil, Chios mastiha essential oil, has been incorporated in the growth medium, it can delay the growth rate but also eliminate microbes, bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms. The results of such studies confirm the important antimicrobial and antifungal action of mastiha oil, thus encouraging its further usage as a component of pharmaceutical and other protection and care products.
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