Mastic Gum Jarrow Formulas in Paris: mastic tree resin in capsules
Jarrow Formulas Mastic Gum puts the resin of the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus) into a vegetable capsule, with no taste and nothing to chew. Two capsules provide 1,000 mg of resin, taken in the morning before breakfast. A bottle of 60 capsules lasts one month. Available in Paris at Herba Barona.
Mastic, a Mediterranean resin put into capsules
Mastic, which the Greeks call mastiha, is the resin that seeps from the mastic tree when its bark is cut. This shrub grows around the eastern Mediterranean, and Jarrow Formulas states that its resin comes mainly from Greece and Turkey. As it dries, it forms small translucent tears, rich in essential oils, which people have chewed since Antiquity.
The capsule changes the way it is taken. Instead of chewing tears with a fairly strong resinous taste, you swallow a fixed amount of ground resin: 500 mg per capsule, 1,000 mg per serving. It is the simplest option for anyone who wants a regular intake, identical from one day to the next, without worrying about the taste.
Why we chose the Jarrow Formulas version
Jarrow Formulas is a Californian brand, based in Chatsworth, that we already stock in Paris for its reduced glutathione and its astaxanthin. Its mastic formula is deliberately short: the resin, a plant cellulose capsule and two technical agents (magnesium stearate of vegetable origin and silicon dioxide). No flavouring, no colouring, no other added plant.
The product is vegan, gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Verified. The label also states that it contains no wheat, soy, milk, egg, fish, crustaceans, peanuts, tree nuts or sesame. For people who keep an eye on allergens, it is an easy formula to read. The full details are in the Composition tab on this page.
How to take Mastic Gum every day
Jarrow Formulas recommends 2 capsules once a day, with a glass of water or juice, before breakfast. The two capsules are taken together: this single morning serving is what provides the 1,000 mg of resin. With 60 capsules in the bottle, you therefore have 30 days at the recommended rate.
Swallow the capsules whole, without opening them: the powdered resin has a pronounced taste and sticks a little in the mouth. Keep the bottle tightly closed, in a cool, dry place, away from the heat of a bathroom or of a car in summer.
As with any food supplement, ask your doctor for advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, taking medication or have a health condition. Do not exceed the stated dose and keep the bottle out of the reach of children.
Capsules or resin to chew: two ways to enjoy mastic
In our shop in Paris, we offer mastic in two forms, which suit different habits. The resin tears are chewed like a natural gum: you keep one or two in your mouth, they soften and then release their fresh, woody scent. This is the traditional Greek use, also appreciated for fresh breath and in cooking. You will find them in a 20 g pouch of Chios mastic or in a 10 g discovery size.
The Jarrow capsules, for their part, suit people who do not like the resinous taste, who want a precise dose or who take their supplements in the morning without having to think about it. Nothing stops you from having both: the capsule for the routine, a few tears to chew after a rich meal or at the office.
Mastic Gum and digestive comfort: finding its place in your routine
Mastic tree resin has long been used around the Mediterranean as part of a digestive comfort routine. Mastic Gum therefore naturally sits with the products in our digestion and transit section, alongside enzymes, fibre and ferments.
Some customers pair it with enzymes taken with meals, such as Doctor’s Best Digestive Enzymes. The two are not taken at the same time: mastic in the morning on an empty stomach, enzymes at the start of lunch and dinner. Others combine it with probiotics. In any case, it is better to introduce one product at a time to see what suits you. We can talk it over together in the shop, in Paris 12th, before you start.
Jarrow Mastic Gum in our shop in Paris 12th
The bottle is on the shelf at Herba Barona, 10 rue Théophile Roussel, in the 12th arrondissement, a few minutes’ walk from Ledru-Rollin (line 8) and Bastille (lines 1, 5 and 8) metro stations. The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm.
You can also order it on the website and collect it from the shop in Paris 12th. If you are hesitating between the capsule and the resin to chew, or would like to know how to fit it in with what you already take, come and see us: it has been our job in Paris since 2006.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bottle of Jarrow Mastic Gum last?
One month. The bottle contains 60 capsules and the recommended intake is 2 capsules a day, taken together before breakfast.
Is Jarrow Formulas Mastic Gum suitable for vegans?
Yes. The capsule is made of plant cellulose, the magnesium stearate is of vegetable origin and the formula contains no ingredient of animal origin. It is also gluten-free and GMO-free.
What is the difference with Chios mastic tears?
It is the same family of resin, that of the mastic tree, but not the same use. The tears are chewed and keep all their flavour. The capsules are swallowed, with no taste and a fixed dose of 1,000 mg per serving.
Can it be taken with other supplements?
Yes, it combines easily with enzymes or probiotics, since it is taken on its own in the morning. If you are on medication, ask your doctor for advice first.
