Acacia / Babul medicinal tree

 Scientific Name:

Acaia nilotica (L.) Willd.

Family Name: Mimosaceae
English Name: Acacia tree, Babul

Common Names in Different Languages:

Sanskrit: Barbar, Ajamegya, Diirghkantaka

Hindi: Babul, Babur, Kikar
Marathi: Babul, Babul
Bengali: Bavla, Babul, Kikar
Telugu: Baburram, Nakka Dumma, Nela-Tumma
Punjabi: Babla

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Introduction

Babul is an ancient tree known for its medicinal and commercial significance. Its bark and gum are widely used in various industries. This desert tree has small leaves and thorny stems. It has found mention in literature due to its unique properties. Babul trees are widely found in India, blooming with yellowish spherical flowers in summer, followed by pod growth in autumn.

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External Appearance

• Medium-sized tree with dark brown, cracked bark
• Round, bent branches with sharp, pointed thorns
• Bipinnate small leaflets arranged in 4 to 9 pairs
• Yellowish flowers appear in spherical clusters
• Pods are 3-6 inches long, flat, containing 8-12 flat seeds
• Reddish-white gum oozes from the stem, especially in summer
• Acacia wood is widely used for fuel

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Chemical Composition

• Bark contains 6-12% astringent substances
• Pods contain 12-19% tannin
• Extract from the stem forms Acacia gum
• Indian gum is round or oval, light yellow to dark brown, and water-soluble

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Properties

• Bark & Pods: Astringent, worm-killer, leprosy and burn pacifier
• Gum: Wind-bile pacifier, diuretic, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, tonic
• Overall: Pacifies cough, bile, and phlegm disorders

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Medicinal Uses

1. Eye Diseases

• Grind soft leaves, extract juice, and use 1-2 drops for eye pain and swelling
• Tie a paste of leaves mixed with woman’s milk on the eyes

2. Dental Health

• Gargle with acacia bark decoction 2-3 times daily
• Suck gum pieces for relief from oral infections
• Brushing with a mixture of acacia pod peel, salt, and almond peel ash relieves toothache
• Using soft acacia twigs as a toothbrush strengthens teeth
• Powder of bark, leaves, flowers, and pods helps prevent dental issues
• Gargling with its bark decoction prevents tooth decay

3. Throat Diseases

• Mix leaves and bark of acacia with banyan bark, soak in water, and gargle
• Decoction of bark mixed with sugar candy relieves thirst and burning sensation

4. Breast Firmness

• Apply dried pod pulp with a cloth wrap to firm loose breasts

5. Abdominal Disorders

• Drink decoction of inner bark mixed with buttermilk for abdominal diseases, including ascites
• Pickle of soft pods with rock salt improves appetite and digestion

6. Jaundice

• Mix acacia flower powder with sugar candy; take 10g thrice daily

7. Diarrhea

• Drink juice of 8-10 acacia leaves
• Grind tender shoots with cumin seeds and pomegranate buds, dissolve in 100g water, and drink
• Mix leaf juice with buttermilk and drink

8. Semen Disorders

• Dry and grind pods; mix with sugar candy; consume one spoon in morning and evening
• Fry acacia gum in ghee and consume for increasing semen quality in men and strength in women

9. Snotfall

• Consume powder of acacia Panchanga (all parts) with sugar candy regularly

10. Puerperal Disease

• Grind 10g inner bark and 3 black peppercorns, eat in morning and evening

11. Children's Health

• Feeding 2-4g of acacia leaf powder daily results in a radiant child

12. Bone Fracture

• Regularly consume one spoon of pod powder to aid bone healing

13. Sciatica & Back Pain

• Grind equal parts of bark, pods, and gum; take one spoon thrice daily

14. Skin Issues

• Grind acacia flowers with vinegar and apply on ringworm

15. Bleeding Disorders

• Apply juice of acacia leaves on wounds or sprinkle dry leaf/bark powder to stop bleeding