Chewing gum was originally exactly that, congealed tree gum or resin, plus a flavoring agent, also usually natural. Some of the popular flavors have included fruits, cloves, cinnamon, spearmint and peppermint. The original gum of choice, chicle, for which Chiclets was named, came from the sapodilla tree, and was collected by tapping the bark, much as natural rubber is obtained. Important resins also include the tar from pine trees. Other natural resins commonly used are called sorva and jelutong.
Commercial makers add natural sweeteners, like cane or beet sugar, or aspartame, which is synthetic.
Glycerin and vegetable oil products are used as softeners. The Wrigley company points out that many of the natural gums and resins come from areas where changing climatic conditions make them scarcer and scarcer. While it still uses many natural gums or resins, it also uses synthetic substitutes and is constantly working to improve them. It distills mints to get pure mint oils as flavoring material. All commercial gums sold in this country can be swallowed without harm.