Acacia arabica (Babul) - Medicinal uses, Morphology, Images,Side effects, Pharmacology
Botanical Name: Acacia arabica
Family: Mimosaceae
Introduction:
Latin name : Acacia = gum tree, Akazo = I sharpen. many species have sharp spines; arabica = of Arabstan. English name : Acacia tree.
Scientific classification: Acacias belong to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae).
Acacia, important genus of trees or shrubs of the legume family. Most of the 1,200 species of the genus are native to tropical Africa or Australia. The normal type of leaf is bipinnate, but it is often modified, especially among the species that have had to adapt to the intense heat and drought of Australia. The Australian species have vertical phyllodes that are modified leaves. The genus is of great and varied economic importance, yielding edible seeds and valuable timber and gum.
Names in different Indian languages
English |
Babul, Black Babul, Indian Gum arabic tree. |
Hindi |
Babul,babur |
Kannada |
Karijali, baunijali |
Malayalam |
karivelam |
Sanskrit |
Barburah, vavari |
Tamil |
Karu-velamaram, Karuvelei. Velampisin (gum). |
Telugu |
nallatumma |
Unani |
Aqaaqia, Babuul, Kikar, Mughilaan, Samur |
Folk |
Babuul, Kikar |
Synonyms
Babbuula, Babbuuri, Goshrunga. Deerghakanta, Baavari, Aabhaa, Shuulikaa, Shitaka, Kinkiraata, Yugmakantaka, Sukshmapatra, Pitapushpaka.
- nilotica (Linn.) Delile subsp. indica (Benth.) Brenan
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
Charaka |
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Susrutha |
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Vagbhata |
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Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
Used instead of khadiraq
Morphology
A thorny tree 8-10 m. high. Trunk - grey.
Branches - straight hanging downwards. Tender branches are used for brushing teeth.
Leaves- bipinnate compound, Leaflets - 10 to 20 pairs, sub sessile. Glabrous
Flowers - yellow.
Fruit – pod, Legumes - 7 to 10 cm. long with 8-10 white
Seeds- 8-10, Brownish white gum exudes from the trunk which is available in the market.
Distribution & Habitat
All over India
Chemical constituents:
Tannin , polyphenolic compounds ,
flavonoids—kaempferol,glucoside, iso-quercitrin and leucocyanidin.
galactose; arabinose, rhamnose and aldobiouronic acids, also arabinobioses.
Properties:
Guna : guru, ruksha;
Rasa : kashaya;
Virya : sheeta;
Dosha : kapha-pitta shamak
GUM
Guna : guru;
Rasa : madhur, kashaya;
Vipaka : madhur;
Virya : sheeta;
Dosha vatapittashamak
External uses : Being a blood purifier, haemostatic, vasoconstriction and healing property , its powder is sprinkled on burnt injuries and bleeds, Decoction of bark is used for uttara basti (enema through vagina) in leucorrhoea. It is also used for tub bath in rectal prolapse and for gargles in oral disorders.
Internal uses : Useful in diarrhoea, dysentery, piles, Anthelemintic, bleeding disorder, cough and urinary disorders. Gum is used in dysuria and loss of libido. In premature ejaculation powder of raw legume + sugar is found useful
Digestive system:
Constipative, useful in liver disease , ascites, astrigent
Respiratory system:
Expectorant, useful in asthma
Urinary system:
Diuretic
Reproductive system:
Seminal weakness , utero-cervical disorder
Skin:
Skin disease, burning sensation , kushta
Srotogamitva:
Dosha : Kaphaghna vatapittaghna (gum). .
Dhatu : Rakta (purifier, hemostatic,wound healing, bleeding disorders), muscles (tub bath in rectal prolapse), shukra (aphrodisiac - gum), asthi (joining property).
Mala : Purisha (dysentery), mutra (urinary disorders).
Indication:
The seeds are
hypoglycaemic. Some seed components stimulate insulin secretion by beta cells.
The gum contains galactose; arabinose, rhamnose and aldobiouronic acids, also arabinobioses.
The flowers contain flavonoids—kaempferol,glucoside, iso-quercitrin and leucocyanidin.
Seed oil—antifungal.
Flowers, pods and gum resin—used in diarrhoea and dysentery.
Stembark—astringent, spasmolytic, hypoglycaemic.
Gum—demulcent (soothing agent for inflammatory conditions of the respiratory, digestive and urinary tracts).
Pods—used in urogenital disorders. Seeds—hypoglycaemic
Part used:
Steam bark, wood
Dosage: 50 -100 ml for decoction
Important Yogas or Formations:
Babbularishta, Lavangadi vati
Therapeutic Uses:
- Bark paste useful in ulcers
- Bark paste + honey useful in burning sensation
- Ghriha prepared by flower useful in haemorrhoids
Descriptions on Ayurveda books / Nighandu:
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