Medicinal Plant Virtual Tour - GUM ACACIA

Senegalia senegal        |        Fabaceae       |       gum acacia

Medicinal Properties:

The bark exhibits antimicrobial activity and is chewed for this reason. The bark, leaves, and gum are used as an astringent to treat colds, ophthalmic problems, diarrhea, hemorrhages, skin diseases and inflammation. It has been made into a powder and used for irritable bowel syndrome. The product called gum arabic is made from the sap. Chewing the gum has been shown to inhibit peridontal bacteria and the early deposition of plaque. The gum is used commerically as a stabilizer to give uniform consistency to food products, as well as encapsulation of pharmaceutical substances.