Acacia Information Where The Acacia Tree is Found Today Acacia Uses Acacia Dosage Information Acacia Safety Potential Side Effects
Acacia Information Ancient Hebrews considered Acacia to be the Shittah tree of the Bible which supplied the sacred wood. The Ark of the Covenant and the sacred Tabernacle were made from Acacia wood. As a spiritual icon it is also one of the most powerful "symbols" in Freemasonry representing the eternal soul and purity of the soul. The ancient Egyptians used the gum of the tree on loose teeth because its thick mucilaginous (thick and sticky) properties supported the tooth while the astringent qualities tightened up the gum tissue surrounding the loose tooth. The Egyptians also used the material as a glue and as a pain reliever base. The gum of the Acacia tree was applied to open wounds as an antiseptic. The Aztecs used it as a food and dye, and ate the seedpods as an aphrodisiac.
Where The Acacia Tree is Found Today The acacia tree (Acacia Senegal) is a thorny, scraggly tree that grows to heights of about 15 feeet. It grows most prolifically in regions of Africa, in particlular in the Republic of Sudan. During times of drought, the bark of the tree splits, exuding a sap that dries in small droplets or "tears". In the past, these hardened sap tears served as the major source of acacia gum, but today commercial acacia gum is derived by tapping trees periodically and collecting the resin semi-mechanically. At least three grades of acacia gum are available commercially and their quality is distinguished by the coloor and character in the collected tears. There is considerable variation in the gum quality depending on whether it is obtained by natural flow secondary to extreme drought, obtained by tapping of induced by the boring of beetles at sites of branch injury. Gums derived from Combretum are readily available at low prices in East and West Africa and are often offered for sale as "gum arabic".
Acacia Uses Today Gum Arabic is used to provide a soothing coating over inflammations in the respiratory, alimentary, and urinary tracts. It is also helpful for coughs, sore throat, and catarrh, eyewash, diarrhea, and dysentery. Acacia is sometimes used for typhoid fever as well. Acacia is highly soluble, with low viscosity and a high soluble dietary fiber content, and therefore, used in meal replacement products, nutritional beverages, and weight-loss products. Acacia gum has been used in food as a stabilizer and in pharmaceuticals as a demulcent. It is used topically for healing wounds and has been shown to inhibit the growth of periodontal bacteria and the early deposition of plaque.
Acacia Dosage Information Gum Arabic is usually dissolved in water to make a mucilage in which a standard dose is from 1 to 4 teaspoons; however, there are syrup formulations that mix 1 part mucilage with 3 parts of a syrup. The standard dose of Acacia syrup is from 1 to 4 teaspoons. Gum Arabic, or Acacia can be found in numerous products and formulations. Such as:
Candida clear with Pau D'Arco, Oregano Oil, Black Walnut and Caprylic Acid Surakta Bllod cleansing Tonic, 100% Natural Phase 2 Starch Blocker Acid Redux Vascular Aid
There are more items with Acacia in them, these are just a few. Read and follow product label directions for use.
Acacia Safety Acacia is generally regarded as safe when taken in the recommended doses. Allergic reactions to the gum and powdered forms of acacia have been reported and include respiratory problems and skin lesions. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not known.
