Acacia dealbata
FAMILY: Mimosaceae
SYNONYMS: A. decurrens var. dealbata, Sydney black wattle.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An attractive small tree up to 12 metres high, having a greyish-brown bark with irregular longitudinal ridges, delicate foliage and clusters of ball-shaped fragrant yellow flowers.
DISTRIBUTION: Native to Australia; naturalized in North and Central Africa. It was brought to Europe as an ornamental plant in the early nineteenth century, but it now grows wild. The concrete (and absolute) is mainly produced in southern France, and also Italy.
OTHER SPECIES: There are many varieties of Acacia, such as the East African type (A. arabica) which is very similar; the mimosa of the florist shop (A. floribunda); and the Brazilian mimosa or sensitive plant (Mimosa humilis), the homoeopathic tincture of which is used for swelling of the ankles. It is also closely related to cassie.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The bark of mimosa which is known as ‘wattle bark’, has a leather-like odour and astringent taste. It contains up to 42 per cent tannins (also gallic acid) and is used extensively by the tanning industry. It is employed medicinally in similar ways to oak bark, as a specific for diarrhoea, and as an astringent gargle and ointment.
The extract of black catechu (A. catechu) is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for chronic diarrhoea with colitis.
ACTIONS: Antiseptic, astringent. Extraction a concrete and absolute by solvent extraction from the flowers and twig ends.
CHARACTERISTICS: 1. Concrete – a hard wax-like yellow mass with a sweet-woody, deep floral fragrance. 2. Absolute – an amber-coloured viscous liquid with a slightly green, woody-floral scent. It blends well with lavandin, lavender, ylang ylang, violet, styrax, citronella, Peru balsam, cassie, floral and spice oils.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly hydrocarbons; palmic aldehyde, enanthic acid, anisic acid, acetic acid and phenols.
SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, nonsensitizing.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE
Skin care: Oily, sensitive, general skin care.
Nervous system: Anxiety, nervous tension, over-sensitivity, stress.
OTHER USES: Employed largely in soaps, due to its good fixative properties. Also in high-class perfumes, especially colognes, floral and oriental types.... mimosa
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