babbula :

Acacia nilotica has a wealth of medicinal uses. It is used for stomach upset and pain, the bark is chewed to protect against scurvy, an infusion is taken for dysentery and diarrhoea. In Nigeria it is one of the standard drugs for treating diarrhoea. It has also been used to eliminate stomach worms, as an antiseptic for open wounds and as an expectorant for treating coughs. The species has also been used in veterinary medicine, for example as a molluscicide to reduce liver-flukes in cattle. The pods are desirable as fodder for cattle, and the leaves, young shoots and young pods are thought to aid milk production.

Taxonomical Classification

VERNACULAR NAMES

English: black babul, babul tree, Indian Gum Arabic tree
Hindi: Babul
Malayalam: Karivelam കരിവേലം

Synonyms

Synonyms in Ayurveda: babbula, babul, yugalaksha, kantalu, tikshakantak, goshrunga, dirghakanta, ajabhaksha, sukshmapatra, kashay, Barbara, Vavari

Rasa: Kashaya Madhura
Guna: Guru Ruksha Vishada
Veerya: Sheetha
Vipaka: Maduram

Parts used for medicinal purpose

Bark, Gum, ,

Morphology:

A small to moderate sized thorny tree grows up to 10 meters in height. Leaves bipinnate, main rachis downy, pinnate 4-9 pairs, leaflets subsessile, 10-18 pairs; flowers golden yellow found in heads, axillary, fruits stalked, compressed, with constrictions between seeds. Seeds 10-12 per pod. Gum arise from the bark is called Gum Arabic.

Geographical distribution:

Throughout India growing wild in deciduous forests.

Therapeutic Uses:

Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, pyorrhea, stomatitis, wounds, hemorrhage, ulcers, dysentery, diarrhea, skin diseases, burning sensation, cough, and dental caries.

Dr Mohamed Rifas

A dual country licensed Ayurveda Physician, currently working in Dubai as Head of Ayurveda and Yoga department. He also works as visiting doctor for Dr Hassan Ayurveda Brain and Spine Specialty Hospital. He is specialized in joint issues, brain and spine related issues and gastrointestinal issues with respect to anxiety.
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