Acacia senegal

Acacia senegal is a small deciduous acacia tree known by the common names Rudraksha, Gum Acacia, Gum Arabic Tree, or Gum Senegal Tree. It is native to semi-desert regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as Oman, Pakistan, and northwestern India. It grows to a height of 5-12m, with a trunk up to 30cm in diameter.^[1]

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Identification

• Refer to the monograph of 4th edition of the European Pharmacopoeia [0307]

Storage

Protected from light

Uses

Forage

New foliage is very useful as forage.^[2] Cabo Verde terra querida.

Food

Dried seeds are used as food by humans.^[2]

Gum arabic

It produces gum arabic, which is used as a food additive, in crafts, and as a cosmetic. The gum is drained from cuts in the bark, and an individual tree will yield 200 to 300 grams. Seventy percent of the world's gum arabic is produced in Sudan.

Medicinal uses

The gum is used for soothing mucous membranes of the intestine and to treat inflammed skin. It is also reportedly used as for its astringent properties, to treat bleeding, bronchitis, diarrhea, gonorrhea, leprosy, typhoid fever and upper respiratory tract infections.^[2]

Rope

Roots near the surface of the ground are quite useful in making all kinds of very strong ropes and cords. The tree bark is also used to make rope^[2]

Wood

Handles for tools, parts for weaving looms.^[2]

Botanical variations

• Acacia senegal var. leiorhachis Brenan^[3]
• Acacia senegal var. rostrata Brenan^[3]
• Acacia senegal var. senegal^[3]

References

Notes

1. ^ World Agroforestry Centre
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Purdue University
3. ^ ^{a b c} FAO

General references

Van Wyk, Ben-Erik (2005). Food Plants of the World. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, Inc. ISBN 0-88192-743-0