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Herbal Glossary | Medicinal Glossary | Herbal Preparations | Ayervedic Formulas | Chinese Formulas Acacia
Scientific Names
Common Names
Parts Usually UsedGum Description of Plant(s) and CultureAcacia is a small, spiny, leguminous tree or shrub. After the rainy season ends, the stem begins to exude gum, which is collected from December to June for marketing as gum Arabic. The acacia has alternate, bipinnate leaves and axillary racemes of yellow flowers arranged in globose heads. The fruit is an oblong pod. There are literally dozens of species of acacia, worldwide. Their descriptions and usefulness varies greatly. Be sure to get the advice of a knowledgeable herbalist before using acacia. Where FoundAcacia senegal L.: Grows in sandy soil, mostly in tropical Africa Acacia greggii: a member of the Fabaceae family; it is native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Medicinal PropertiesDemulcent, mucilaginous Legends, Myths and StoriesAcacia was a sacred wood for the ancient Hebrews. Moses used acacia
wood in building the Ark of the Covenant and the sacred Tabernacle
(see Exodus, chapters According to Near-Eastern Christian legend, a thorny species of acacia was used for Christ's crown of thorns. Moapa Paiute name for acacia is "Pah oh pimb." Used for inflammation
of the eyes, due to dust; vaqueros and travelers habitually carry
acacia seeds and put 4 in each eye on retiring. UsesGum Arabic's main effect is to form a protective, soothing coating
over inflammations in the respiratory, alimentary, and urinary tracts.
It is helpful for coughs, sore
throat, and catarrh, eyewash, diarrhea, and dysentery.
Sweetened, it is sometimes used for typhoid fever. Formulas or DosagesGum Arabic is usually dissolved in water to make a mucilage. Mucilage: a dose is from Syrup: mix 1 part mucilage with 3 parts of a syrup. A dose
is from
Resource LinksLiveStrong.com: Acacia for Medicinal Uses Medicinal Plants of the Southwest (US): Acacia Purdue University, Horticulture: Acacia Bibliography
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Cape
gum
Back to Eden
, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994
, by Edith Van Allen Murphey, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1958, print 1990Copyright © 1996-2010 Lynn DeVries, all rights reserved.