Acacia includes both shrubs and trees that were first described in Africa in 1773. Acacia bears pods and sap leaves that contain tannins and condensed tannins used in pharmaceutics and as preservatives. Most Australian acacias are thorny, while the non-Australian ones usually do not have thorns. Acacias are also known as thorntrees, whistling thorns or wattles.
Definition
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, acacia literally means "gum Arabic." Additionally, acacia is any of a large family of leguminous trees and shrubs found in warm regions. Acacias have leaves reduced to phyllodes and white or yellow flower clusters. The origin of the word comes from the Greek word "akakia."
Acacia as Gum
True gum Arabic comes from from Acacia Senegal. Gum Acacia originally came from Sudan, Kurdufan or Egypt and is a water soluble gum used to make inks, adhesives, pharmaceuticals and confections. You can also find the Acacia Arabica tree in India; however, according to Botanical.com, the gum from the Indian tree is of lesser quality than the true gum Arabic. It takes about 5 weeks to harvest the various species of Acacia Senegal.
Various Uses of Acacia
According to the "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," you can use acacia as an herbal remedy to treat premature ejaculation. Additionally, herbal doctors sometimes use acacia to treat rabies. Current clinical research does not support the use of acacia for these medicinal purposes. Acacia is also commonly used as an ornamental plant and as a fragrance. In countries such as Laos, Burma and Thailand, acacia is an ingredient used in soups, curries, omelets and stir-fried dishes. You can also make a type of honey using the Acacia flower.
Acacia as a Symbol
In Freemasonry, acacia represents the purity and endurance of the soul. Some cultures also use acacia at funerals to signify resurrection and immortality. In India, Nepal and China, the bark, root or resin of acacia is often used to make incense. In some eastern religions, the smoke from the acacia bark is thought to have powers that keep demons and ghosts away and to keep the gods happy.
References
- Botanical: Acacia (Gum)
- Merriam Webster: Acacia
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno; 1997
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