Acacia Facts

Acacia is a genus of plants that grows all over the world and is used in almost every culture for a wide variety of purposes, especially in traditional medicines. Various parts of the plants are used both internally and externally. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of these treatments and you should talk to a doctor before using acacia products for any reason.

The Genus Acacia

The genus acacia includes approximately 800 different species of mostly tropical trees and shrubs, according to the Purdue Center for New Crops and Plants Products. Acacia is very similar to the genus mimosa. Several acacia species are used in the traditional medicines of various cultures.

Catclaw

Acacia greggii, commonly known as catclaw, is a desert shrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, according to New Mexico State University. It is mildly astringent and is used most often as a topical wash or powder to treat redness and skin irritation from insect bites, sunburn, scrapes and abrasions, says "Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest." It also is used internally to treat nausea, vomiting, hangovers, sore throats and coughs, according to New Mexico State University.

Acacia Gum

Acacia nilotica is a group of shrubs of small trees that grow in Africa, India and Australia. The gum extracted from these plants is dissolved in water and strained to form a mucilage, according to "A Modern Herbal." It is used internally to treat inflammatory conditions of the respiratory, digestive and urinary tracts and externally to relieve inflamed skin.

Acacia Farnesiana L

Acacia Farnesiana L is probably native to the tropical areas of the Americas, but is today naturalized to almost every continent, according to the Purdue Center for New Crops and Plants Products. The woody branches are used in India as tooth brushes and the gummy roots are chewed to treat sore throats. Mexicans sprinkle the powdered, dried leaves onto wounds and rub an ointment made with the flowers into the forehead to treat headache. Various parts of the plant are also used to treat digestive ailments, rheumatism and tuberculosis.

Acacia Seyal Del.

Also called Shittim Wood or White Whistling Wood, Acacia seyal Del. is used as an aphrodisiac as well as to treat dysentery and leprosy, among other ailments, according to the Purdue Center for New Crops and Plants Products. Some Biblical scholars believe this may be the wood that Moses used to build the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle.