Monograph: Acacia

Cooling astringent trees offering demulcent gum and tannin-rich bark for mucosal and tissue repair.

Majestic acacia tree standing tall in the sunlit fields of Senegal. 📷 Quinta dos Ouriques

Key Therapeutic Categories

Systems: Digestive, Respiratory, Oral Health, Skin, Immune

Indications: Diarrhea, sore throat, mouth ulcers, wounds, gastrointestinal inflammation, respiratory irritation

Primary Attributes

Actions: Demulcent, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, prebiotic, styptic

Energetics: Cooling, drying, stabilizing

Tastes: Bland (gum), strongly astringent and slightly bitter (bark/wood)

Methods: Gum powder, decoction, extract, lozenges, topical wash

Bright yellow clusters of acacia flowers bloom vibrantly amidst green foliage, capturing the beauty of nature in full display. 📷 Quinta dos Ouriques

Uses

• Demulcent: Gum arabic soothes inflamed mucosa of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary tracts.

• Astringent: Tannin-rich bark and heartwood reduce secretions, tone tissue, and support wound healing.

• Prebiotic: Gum arabic supports beneficial gut flora.

• Antimicrobial: Catechins inhibit bacteria and fungi.

• Anti-inflammatory: Polyphenols modulate inflammatory processes.

Botanical & Cultural Context

Latin Name: Acacia spp.

Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Other Names: Wattle, gum arabic tree, babul, catechu, kikar, thorn tree, Egyptian acacia

Parts Used: Gum exudate (A. senegal, A. seyal), heartwood extract (A. catechu), bark (A. nilotica, A. catechu), pods (A. nilotica), leaves (various spp.), flowers (minor use)

Native Region: Africa, Indian subcontinent, Middle East; some species native to Australia and the Pacific Islands

Description: Small to medium-sized thorny trees or shrubs with bipinnate leaves, fragrant yellow or cream puffball-like flowers, and flattened or slightly curved pods. Gum is produced by trunk and branch wounds in certain species.

Sustainability / Ethical Harvesting

Gum arabic from A. senegal and A. seyal is a key economic export from Sudan and the Sahel. Overharvesting, drought, and land conversion threaten yields. Support sustainably managed groves, rotational tapping, and fair-trade cooperatives. Avoid bark girdling and over-stripping in A. catechu and A. nilotica.

Bright yellow acacia blooms amidst budding branches, showcasing nature's intricate beauty and vibrant colors. 📷 Quinta dos Ouriques

Constituents & Pharmacology

• Gum exudate: Complex polysaccharides (arabinogalactans, arabinose, rhamnose, galactose), minerals, amino acids

• Bark & heartwood: Condensed tannins (catechin, epicatechin), gallic acid, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins

• Pods/leaves: Tannins, saponins, flavonoids, minor alkaloids

• Gum: Trace minerals and glycoproteins

Historical Uses

• Africa: Demulcent gum for coughs, sore throats, digestive upset; bark decoctions for diarrhea, wounds, oral hygiene.

• Ayurveda: A. catechu and A. nilotica for diarrhea, dysentery, sore throat, dental care; cooling, binding, anti-inflammatory.

• Unani & Middle Eastern: Gum and bark for mucosal protection, as a vehicle for remedies, topical wound care.

• Indigenous Australian: Wattles used for antiseptic washes, poultices, and as a food source.

• North American Folk: Bark infusions as mouthwash; gum for sore throats.

Cultivation & Harvesting

• Gum: Incise mature trunks at the end of the dry season; collect hardened gum after 4–6 weeks.

• Bark/wood: Harvest during dormant season; avoid girdling.

• Pods/leaves: Harvest mature pods for seed; collect young leaves before flowering for medicinal use.

Medicinal Uses / Clinical Studies

Modern research confirms gum arabic’s prebiotic effect, tannins’ antimicrobial and astringent actions, and polyphenols’ anti-inflammatory properties. Clinical studies demonstrate improved gut flora and reduced mucosal inflammation with regular gum intake.

Preparation & Dosage

• Gum Arabic: 5–10 g/day in water, divided doses

• Bark/wood decoction: 5–10 g dried material per 500 ml water, simmer 10–15 minutes, up to 3x/day

• Catechu extract: 0.5–2 g/day

• Topical wash: Strong bark decoction for wounds or oral rinsing

Golden-hued acacia gum arabic resin in a wooden bowl, showcasing its natural texture and shine. 📷 Quinta dos Ouriques

Safety & Contraindications

Generally safe in medicinal doses. Excessive tannin intake may impair iron absorption. Gum arabic allergy is rare. Avoid large doses of tannin-rich bark in constipation or dehydration.

Species Highlights

Acacia senegal / A. seyal (Gum Arabic) – Demulcent, prebiotic, mild anti-inflammatory; for mucosal irritation and as a pharmaceutical excipient.

Acacia catechu (Catechu, Khair) – Potent astringent from heartwood extract; for diarrhea, bleeding gums, sore throats.

Acacia nilotica (Babul) – Bark, pods, leaves for oral health, wound care, antimicrobial purposes.

References

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