The meaning of the symbols of acacia seen in a dream.

Willd. var. indica Benth.

Synonym: A. nilotica (Linn.) Delile subsp. indica (Benth.) Brenan.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the drier parts of India.

English: Babul, Black Babul, Indian Gum arabic tree.

Ayurvedic: Babbuula, Babbuuri, Baavari, Aabhaa, Shuulikaa, Shitaka, Kinkiraata, Yugmakantaka, Sukshmapatra, Pitapushpaka.

Unani: Aqaaqia, Babuul, Kikar, Mughilaan, Samur.

Siddha/Tamil: Karu-velamaram, Karuvelei. Velampisin (gum).

Action: 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 in normal rats; no such effect in diabetic rats. Seed oil—antifungal. Flowers, pods and gum resin—used in diarrhoea and dysentery.

Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of stembark in acute diarrhoea and helminthiasis.

Tannin contents of the bark varies considerably (12-20%). Several poly- phenolic compounds have been reported in the bark, also in the pods. The whole pod contains 12-19% tannins and 18-27% after the removal of seeds.

The seeds of A. benthamii, A. nilotica ssp. subulata, probably same as ssp. indica, are considered hypoglycaemic. Some seed components stimulate insulin secretion by beta cells.

The gum contains galactose; l-ara- binose, l-rhamnose and aldobiouronic acids, also arabinobioses.

The flowers contain flavonoids— kaempferol-3-glucoside, iso-quercitrin and leucocyanidin.

Dosage: Stembark—20-30 g for decoction. (API Vol. I.)... acacia arabica

Grab.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Bihar and South India. Ayurvedic: Aadaari (related sp.) Folk: Ari, Araara.

Action: See A. torta.... acacia canescens

(Linn. f.) Willd.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Drier regions of India, particularly Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Rajasthan.

English: Cutch tree, Catechu.

Ayurvedic: Khadira, Kadara, Somavalka, Gaayatri, Dantdhaavan, Kantaki, Raktasaara (heartwood extract).

Unani: Khair, Kaat, Katthaa (heartwood extract).

Siddha/Tamil: Karunkaali (bark), Kalippakku, Kadiram. Katthakkaambu, Kaasukkatti (heartwood extract).

Action: Cutch from wood— powerful astringent (in urinary and vaginal discharge), antidiarrhoeal, haemostatic; used for treating excessive mucous discharges, haemorrhages, relaxed conditions of gums, throat and mouth, stomatitis, irritable bowel; also used as an antileprotic drug.

Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of dried pieces of heartwood in inflammations, skin diseases and urinary disorders, recommends its use as a blood purifier, in diseases caused by lipid disorders.

Cutch (the concentrated extract) contains tannins 2-20%, catechin 2533%, phlobatannins including cate- chutannic acid 20-50%; flavonoids including quercetin, quercitrin, fisetin; gums, resins, pigments. The gum from A. catechu is a good substitute for Gum arabic.

Seed extract—hypoglycaemic to normal albino rats, but not effective in diabetic rats. The saline extract of seeds shows leuco-agglutinating activity against leukaemic cells. It agglutinates white cells from patients with different types of leukaemia. The activity is inhibited by simple sugars. Root extract shows antibacterial and fungi- cidal activity.

The heartwood contains a hepato- protective principle—cyanidanol.

Astringent and antibacterial properties of catechu result from its high tannin content.

Gambrine in pale catechu shows hy- potensive effects.

Fisetin in black catechu and (+)- catechin in black and pale catechu may protect against liver damage; (+)- catechin is also thought to protect against experimentally induced ulcers in animals; (+)-catechin (cianidanol) is associated with fatal anaemia. Methyl- catechin, one of the major metabolites of (+)-catechin, inhibits the binding of monocytes to vascular endothelial cells; thus, the catechin found in catechu may reduce atherosclerosis. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

Dosage: Heartwood—20-30 g for decoction. (API Vol. I.)... acacia catechu

Buch.-Ham.

Synonym: A. polycantha willd.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: West Bengal, Bihar, western peninsula.

Ayurvedic: Shveta Khadira, Kadara, Somavalkala.

Unani: Khor, Safed Khair.

Action: Cutch is prepared from the heartwood. See A. catechu.

Acacia ferruginea DC. is also equated with Shveta Khadira.... acacia suma

Gum arabic. Acacia senegal, Wild.

Action. Mucilaginous. Demulcent.

Uses: Emulsifying agent. Used with other herbs to soothe inflamed tissue in irritable bowel, sore throat or bronchi.

Preparation. Powder: 1-3g in honey, thrice daily.

GSL ... acacia gum

Willd.

Synonym: A. sundra DC.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh on dry and rocky soils.

English: Red Cutch.

Ayurvedic: Khadira (related sp.).

Siddha/Tamil: Katthakkaambu (heartwood extract).

Folk: Laal Khair.

Action: Uses similar to those of A. catechu heartwood extract.

The bark and leaves are used for ulcerated abscesses and toothache; wood for leucoderma.

EtOH (50%) extract—spermicidal and spasmolytic.... acacia chundra

(Willd.) DC.

Synonym: A sinuata (Lour.) Merrill; A. rugata (Lamk.) Ham.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Tropical jungles throughout India, especially in the Deccan.

Ayurvedic: Saptalaa, Shitalaa, Saatalaa, Shrivalli, Kantvalli.

Unani: Shikaakaai, Kharunb Nabti.

Siddha/Tamil: Seekai, Sigakai.

Folk: Ban-Reethaa.

Action: Febrifuge, expectorant, emetic, spasmolytic, diuretic, antidiarrhoeal. Leaves—an infusion is given in malarial fever. Pods and seeds—decoction is used to remove dandruff (known as Shikaakaai), extensively used as a detergent. An ointment is used for skin diseases. Bark—extract is used in leprosy.

The bark yields a saponin which, on hydrolysis, yields lupeol, alpha- spinasterol and acacic acid lactone. Pods also yield saponins (20.8%). Sugars identified are glucose, arabinose and rhamnose.

The leaves contain alkaloids, nicotine and colycotomine, a triterpenoid saponin and oxalic, tartaric, citric, suc- cinic and ascorbic acids.

The bark saponins are spermicidal, also haemolytic and spasmolytic. A decoction of pods relieves biliousness and acts as a purgative.

The ethanolic extract of unripe pods yields a glycosidal fraction (0.28%) which exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. It also shows significant antibacterial activity.

The plant acts as an antiseptic agent for curing sores, gums and loose teeth.

The flowers are the source of Cassie perfume.

The main constituents of the flowers are benzyl, anisic, decylic and cuminic aldehydes, as well as traces of geraniol, farnesol and linalool.... acacia concinna

Willd.

Synonym: A. alba Willd.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Native to West Indies; now occurring throughout India.

English: Cassie Flower, Cassie Absolute, Sweet Acacia.

Ayurvedic: Arimeda, Vitkhadira.

Unani: Vilaayati Kikar, Gandbabuul, Guyaa Babuul, Durgandh Khair.

Siddha/Tamil: Kastuurivel, Vedday- ala.

Action: Bark—astringent, demulcent, anthelmintic, antidysenteric, anti-inflammatory (used in stomatitis, ulcers, swollen gums, dental caries, bronchitis, skin diseases).

Ripe pods contain tannins and several polyphenolic compounds. Essential oil from pods—direct muscle relaxant, cardiac depressant and sedative.

Various plant parts are used in insanity, epilepsy, delirium and convulsions.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Dry regions of the country, especially in Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

English: White Babul.

Ayurvedic: Arimeda, Arimedaka, Arimanja, Irimeda, Vitakhadir, Godhaa-skandha, Raamaka.

Unani: Kath Safed, Vilaayati Babuul, Guyaa Babuul.

Siddha/Tamil: Valval, Velvayalam.

Folk: Safed Babuul, Safed Kikar, Renvaa.

Action: Bark—bitter, demulcent and cooling; used in biliousness and bronchitis. Seeds—haemaggluti- nating activity has been reported. Leaves—antisyphilitic and antibacterial. Gum—demulcent.

EtOH (50%) extract of aerial parts— hypotensive and central nervous system depressant.

The rootbark contains leucophleol, leucophleoxol and leucoxol.... acacia leucophloea

(L.) willd.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India; ascending to 1,700 m in the Himalayas.

Ayurvedic: Lataakhadira, Aadaari, Ari.

Siddha/Tamil: Indan, Indu. Iyak Koluntu (tender leaves).

Folk: Aila.

Action: Bark—antibilious, antiasth- matic. Leaf—stomachic, styptic (for bleeding gum), antiseptic (for scalding of urine). A decoction of young leaves is taken for body pain, headache and fever.

The bark contains tannin 9%, lupe-ol and alpha-spinasterol. Stem yields sitosterol.... acacia pennata

Willd.

Synonym: A. verek Guillem and Perr.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Native to Sudan. Cultivated in dry parts of western India.

English: Gum arabic tree.

Ayurvedic: Shveta Babbuula.

Action: The tree yields the true Gum arabic of commerce. Mucilaginous, demulcent, emulsifying agent. Used as an ingredient in compounds for treatment of diarrhoea, catarrh.

Bechic, antihaemorrhagic, antiinflammatory. Stembark—antiinflammatory, spasmolytic. Root— used for dysentery and urinary discharges.

The gum consists mainly of arabin. It is the salt of an organic acid, arabic acid, with metals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium.

The stembark gives octacosanol, beta-amyrin, uvaol, beta-stosterol and its glucoside and erthrodiol. An alkaloid, dimethyltryptamine has been isolated from the leaves.... acacia senegal

(Roxb.) Craib.

Synonym: A. intsia willd.

A. caesia Wright and Arn. non-Willd.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India in the dry and intermediate zones; ascending to an altitude of about 1,200 m in the Himalayas.

Ayurvedic: Aadaari, Lataa Khadira (related sp., see. A. pennata).

Siddha/Tamil: Kariyundu, Ingu.

Folk: Araar, Chilar (Punjab), Aila (Maharashtra).

Action: Flower—emmenagogue. Bark—anti-inflammatory, antiseptic (in skin diseases). Bark contains 17% tannins, triterpene alcohol, saponins of acacic acid, lupeol and a steroid, acaciol. An alkaloid, tryptamine, is present in the root and stem bark.

Various plant parts are used in cough, bronchitis, measles, tubercular fistula and in the treatment of menstrual disorders. The bark is used for washing the hair.... acacia torta